The January 2024 edition of The London Roar contained a notice about the new book on the history of the LRC clubhouse building, “On Finches Field – The Home of London Rowing Club since 1871”. The book is currently with the printers. It is to be launched at the Club Supper on Wednesday, 21st February. Further details follow after the Captain’s report below.

PRESIDENT'S EYE VIEW

Having volunteered to drive the Umpire’s launch for the Boustead, I found myself in a front row seat for one of the most epic races I have seen in the fifty-odd years I have been following racing boats.

With LRC on Middlesex and TRC on Surrey, the race went like this. Thames took a lead off the start, and held on to about half a length round the outside of the initial bend, which was in London’s favour. However, when the big bend to Hammersmith started turning in their favour, they only moved out to about three quarters but could not get clear, London continuing at what seemed, to a person of my age, an impossibly high rating. Thames were warned several times, as were both crews to move apart, but it was no more than competitive coxing; both coxes steered well in a restrained way. There were a couple of minor clashes, with LRC’s 2 blade clipping TRC’s Stroke’s (LRC was stroked from bowside), but no strokes were missed. The crews remained close to each other until the last stages.

LRC had a solid push along the island, but only made a slight impression, which they lost as the course again turned against them round to Hammersmith, and for a moment they looked slightly ragged, and I really felt they had shot their bolt. However, they settled again, still at a punishingly high rating, and after the bridge and with the bend still against them, they started, very, very slowly, to go through, at which point I was chewing the steering wheel, and trying to remember that I was driving the umpire’s launch, not just spectating!

Thames were rowing in excellent style, but they seemed to have nothing extra to offer as London slowly went through them until, with the advantage at last round the Fulham bend, London went through and out to clear water for a verdict of a length and a quarter. The crew disappeared into a cloud of excited spray, and my pulse rate could start the long climb down to normal.

Mike Baldwin
President, London Rowing Club

CHAIRMAN’S VIEW

Well, another very successful and packed to capacity Club Dinner was enjoyed by all. We always planned to display ‘our’ Wyfold trophy on loan from HRR (thank you Lynton for ferrying it back and forth) but it was extra special to also have The Boustead Cup after our first eight’s victory over TRC the weekend before.

Not only did this crew do us proud but the second eight were very close to Thames, which indicates our strength in depth. Well done to all the men and women who raced.

It was particularly nice to welcome back Robin Williams to the Club to speak and to hear his views on the Olympics and past times at LRC. Those of us who experienced some of the halcyon days of lightweight international rowing will agree with Robin’s view that it has been destroyed by the Olympic effect. I have known Robin some 35 years (I introduced myself by crashing into him in my single early one morning at the top of the tide) and he is a class act in all he does. Three times Henley winner, world medallist, LRC and CUBC coach and, of course, double Olympic gold medal coach of the women’s pair at the London and Rio games. And recently elected a Steward of HRR, bringing the tally for LRC to at least 7, I believe.

It was particularly special for me to be photographed with Robin and three of the LRC Wyfold crew, making two generations of winners.

Thank you to Heather, Annabel and her team and the caterers for putting on such a memorable event, and to Mike Baldwin for so generously providing the port.

A couple of weeks earlier we had a very interesting evening with Pearson Cycles with some 50-60 members and guests in attendance. Edmund Bradbury, former CUBC oarsman and retired cycling pro now coach, our Stu and sports nutritionist, Stuart, gave us fascinating insights into both sports and the approach to training. There were many interesting questions such as what was it like to ride with Hamish Bond, answer: one of the most powerful athletes Edmund has known. There was much discussion on different training zones and the function of mitochondria (most of which went over my head). Bikes were on display and Pearson have offered a price reduction on their road bikes to LRC members during February, so if you are in the market for one, get down there soon.

Former pro cyclist and now coach, Edmund Bradbury, presents at LRC.

Good luck to all those racing in the forthcoming heads.

Bill Baker
Chairman, London Rowing Club

CAPTAIN’S REPORT

After 11 years, London Rowing Club has won back the Boustead Cup to take the lead with the most wins. At Quintin Head where LRC came third, missing the headship by less than 1 second to TRC so the Boustead was always going to be a good fight. Side by side, for the majority of the course, LRC were down but made their move coming into the home stretch from Harrods to win by a convincing 1 ¼ lengths. The second VIII also had a cracking race but missed out on the win by ½ length. The third VIII lost with a margin that was the closest it has been in recent years showing the men’s squad closing the gap between the two clubs across the board.

In the Rayner Cup, LRC had guest appearances from our Olympic medallists, Jess Eddie, Rebecca Scown. The ladies in navy and white led for the first 1km but ultimately TRC took the prize. For the first time, LRC boated three women’s VIIIs for the local derby with the closest margins to date, a huge achievement for the growing women’s squad. All LRC rowers and umpires donned a black ribbon as tribute to Pauline Rayner who passed away the week before. Pauline created the race and named it after her late husband Maurice Rayner, an LRC member. I raced the inaugural Rayner Cup, with Pauline following in the launch behind - she was thrilled to be able to add a women’s race to the contest between the two clubs. She will be remembered every time we race for the cup.

Quintin Head was a great opportunity for masters and squad to get out racing after lots of time off the water due to red boards. Lots of podium finishes for both rowing groups and signs of a competitive head season to come.

Our coaches, Stu Heap and Killian O’Shea ran a launch driving/coaching workshop which had great uptake and was a great refresher for those who had been driving for a while and for those keen to get involved. They covered the practical set up and driving of the launch as well as where you should be positioned when coaching/following a crew from a launch. We will look to run this every year, but will move it to the summer to avoid the cold!!!

We had our annual dinner on 1st February with newly elected HRR Steward, Robin Williams as our guest speaker. Robin gave us the good, bad and ugly stories of his Olympic games experiences and offered great advice for our competing members to ‘make the conditions work for you’. He was happy to see the Wyfold Trophy in attendance, both he and our Chairman, Bill Baker, had won the event only a couple of years ago and joined the current LRC holders for a photo (thank you Lynton for collecting and guarding the trophy so well!). We decorated the club with our own member’s achievements dating back to our first year as a club, with the Wyfold tankard LRC won under ‘Argonaut’ as one of our most coveted treasures. With the help of our Archivist, Julian Ebsworth, we were able to showcase 168 years of club achievements, with club tankards at every table and some of our most precious items on display.

As a whole club we took the time to toast this year’s Wyfold four: Edo Marshall, Zac Baxter, George Cowley and Tom Westbrook (on the phone from Australia). George responded on the crews behalf, thanking the club for it’s support and making it feel like ‘family’. President, Mike Baldwin and I managed to keep our learned words to a minimum so everyone could enjoy the delicious food organised by Heather Scott and Annabel Lawrence. It was a very civilised and highly enjoyable evening - thank you to all who came.

Looking ahead, we have our masters racing at Henley Fours and Eights and Hammersmith head. If anyone was able to drive a launch, it would be greatly appreciated.

Let the wins continue!

Bang the Drum!

Elizabeth Cottrell
Captain, London Rowing Club

ON FINCHES FIELD

A little over 150 years ago, London members moved into the Club’s first clubhouse building, with a boathouse at ground level, club rooms on the first floor and – a real novelty – a grandstand in the roof space above. It adjoined open countryside with fields and osier grounds, and to reach it one walked along a towpath or down an ancient lane, Spring Passage.

“On Finches Field – The Home of London Rowing Club since 1871” tells the story of the building. It may well be the oldest rowing club structure of its kind still standing and in continuous use in the UK. It remains a prominent feature on the Putney waterfront. (Finches Field was the plot of land on which it was built, hence the name.)

The book charts the building’s progress and development, describing chapter by chapter the Victorian additions of the Members’ Room and the Resi Rooms in the 1880s; the purchase of the freehold in 1913; the 8-man tank in the 1920s; the major rebuild in 1971; and the Peter Coni gym completed just 5 years ago. And much else in between, including in the boathouse! Amongst these were ‘firsts’ in the rowing world. The book is fully illustrated in colour.

It has been written by a group of members working in a Sub Committee and complements the comprehensive Club history written by Christopher Dodd, “Water Boiling Aft”, published in 2006.

Launch date

The book will be launched at the Club Supper on Wednesday 21st February 2024 in the Long Room. Further details about the supper are in Heather Scott’s article in this edition of London Roar.

If older members who are less familiar with MyClubhouse wish to do so, bookings can also be made direct, by special arrangement, with Annabel Lawrence, the Events Manager. E-mail her at events@londonrc.org.uk; these bookings are to be settled up at the supper, and must be firm bookings.

Specifications of the book

260 x230 mm, softback, 86 pages, with more than 115 illustrations in colour. ISBN no. 978-0-9552938-2-5.

Published by London Rowing Club Ltd.

Ordering

The book is available only through the Club at Embankment, Putney, London, SW15 1LB.

Price: £10 per copy, plus £5 p. & p.

Payment for the book either:

By BACS payable to London Rowing Club Ltd, sort code 60-00-01, account no. 00784222.
By card in person at the bar.

To place an order for a book by email, and for any further enquiries, please contact julianebsworth@hotmail.com

SPECIAL OFFER

For £20, one copy of “On Finches Field” plus one copy of the Club history “Water Boiling Aft”, p & p costs on application.

Julian Ebsworth
Club Archivist

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

See more detail for these events, visit our Calendar of Events…

IRREGULARS REPORT

Having missed last year, the Irregulars have got together a strong team from which to enter for the Veterans Head race on the 24th March.

We are very fortunate to have the services of Henry Dunlop as our Cox/Coach who has brought his huge experience and forbearance to whip us into shape on our weekly outings.

We are also doing twice weekly erg sessions to build up some stamina and fitness for the Championship course.

Last Sunday a tank session was organised at Barn Elms Boathouse to brush up on sweeping skills. This was kindly taken by Miles Preston. We are not short of excellent coaching!!

The team/squad are Mike Baldwin, Tom Blackett, Eddie Markes, Brendan Armstrong, Philip Carre, Mike Newsom Davis, Andrew Boyle, Keith Swabey, Henry Dunlop, Ronnie Maddox, Jason Danciger, Martin Quinn, Nick Wykeman and the "baby of the party" Chris Callaghan. Age range 78 to 50. Great effort!

Additionally, we had entered a mixed quad into the Henley Head on the 17th February. Fiona Young, Anne Lury, Jason Danciger and Eddie Markes were all looking forward to this but, unfortunately, the event has filled up and there is no room left! We'll try again!

Eddie Markes

CLUB SUPPER

The Club Supper is taking place on Wednesday 21 February. This is also the book launch for the book “On Finches Field - The Home of London Rowing Club since 1871”.

All club members are encouraged to attend the supper including Irregulars, Millennials and squad members. You also may bring a guest.

The bar will be open from 7pm for all members, for those attending the supper, dinner will be served at 8pm enabling those that wish to row beforehand to do so.

Tickets are £28 per person via My Club House

Please send any dietary requirements to events@londonrc.org.uk

Heather Scott

IN MEMORIAM: PAULINE RAYNER MBE (1940-2024)

Pauline at the opening of the LRC gym in 2019.

It is with heavy hearts and a deep sense of loss that we announce the passing of Pauline Rayner, a stalwart figure in the world of rowing who left an indelible mark on the sport. News of her passing was announced by Thames RC on 21st of January, leaving behind a legacy that will be cherished by the rowing community and beyond.

Born in 1940, Pauline dedicated her life to the pursuit of excellence in rowing, becoming an inspiration to many. She took her first strokes at the age of 13 and raced for Alpha Women’s ARC in the same year at WEHoRR. Later that year she competed at a French regatta (having lied about her age to be eligible). At this regatta Pauline rowed in the 3 seat and sat behind her future GB doubles partner Pam Body; the two of them would be selected for the GB double sculls at the 1960 European Women’s Rowing Championships.

Pauline (3 seat) at her first WeHORR in 1954.

Through most of the 60s and 70s Pauline faced a few challenges in her rowing, namely the raising of her children and a husband who was not a fan of rowing. Despite this she still persevered with her pursuit of victory in races “My husband used to go off fishing for the day and I would rush the children over to my mum in Mortlake whilst I raced in a non-status event, which meant you could either scull in a best boat or a clinker. As I didn’t have a best boat, I raced in a clinker and still people couldn’t beat me. I used to just turn up, get in the clinker, race, put it back in the boathouse, dash down to my mothers, have tea with the kids, pop them back in the car and get home before my husband returned.” However, once her children had grown up and following the marriage to her second husband Maurice Rayner, a London RC cox who was fully supportive of her rowing ambitions, even if it would be at Thames RC, Pauline re-commenced her rowing career in 1983. She was the first female captain at TRC from 1990-1993, club chair from 2001-2009 and elected club president in 2019 until her passing.

These adversities were not just limited to her early decades of rowing. She was one of the pioneers of the first women's masters crews to be included in the Vesta Veterans Head, despite having her entry rejected she still managed to race the course unofficially following the last crews down the course as there was no river closure at the time.

Veterans Head of the River - Pauline sat at 6 with her husband Maurice coxing (official entry this time).

Pauline's love for rowing extended beyond the waters, as evidenced by her marriage to Maurice Rayner. Maurice, who served as LRC's Honorary Secretary from 1979 to 1982 and Honorary Treasurer from 1995 to 2001, shared a deep connection with the Club. Their union brought them to the LRC family, where they became a familiar presence at Wednesday night suppers. Although Maurice's health was declining, he continued to contribute significantly to the Club until his eventual succumbing to a brain tumour. Through it all, Pauline stood by his side, a pillar of strength in the face of adversity.

While her time at the London Rowing Club may have only been marked by occasional visits, Pauline's impact was profound. Her influence reached beyond the Club, shaping the broader rowing community.

Pauline Rayner's contributions were not confined to her active years in rowing; she continued to leave an imprint on the sport's history. The Rayner Cup, a women's race contested alongside the Boustead Cup, stands as a testament to her enduring legacy. Her name will forever be intertwined with this event, symbolising her dedication to advancing women's rowing.

Her journey in the sport was marked by passion, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of success. As an accomplished rower, she achieved numerous milestones and contributed significantly to the growth and development of women's rowing. A contribution that was honoured by an MBE in 2007 for services to sport as well as the decision by British Rowing to award her its highest award the British Rowing Medal of Honour this year. Unfortunately Pauline passed away before the announcement could be made.

In honouring Pauline Rayner, we celebrate a life well-lived, a journey filled with passion, commitment, and an unwavering dedication to the sport she loved. Not to mention a woman whose will and determination allowed nothing to stop her from racing, be it age, spouse, or even not being allowed to enter. May she rest in peace, leaving behind a wake of inspiration that will ripple through the waters of rowing for years to come.

“the most incredible woman, a bundle of energy and a force to be reckoned with…ahead of her time and gained respect by beating half the men in the scullers head each year!... she was a power….and deserves all the accolades she received in life and now”.

Basil Amin

VOGALONGA WEEKEND 17-19 MAY

I am pleased to announce that planning for this year's Vogalonga on Sunday 19th May has started.

As most LRC members know, the Vogalonga is a 30km row around the Venetian Lagoon. The event is a festival rather than a competition. It culminates in a glorious row along the Grand Canal. Nevertheless, given the distance, appropriate levels of rowing experience and fitness are required. We will take our two coxed stable quads and perhaps rent additional boats locally, depending on demand.

Miles Preston has kindly agreed to arrange his legendary dinners on the Friday and Saturday before the event and a drinks party immediately after. Non-rowing supporters are welcome to join what is a very social weekend. Everyone is responsible for their flights and accommodation. The costs of transporting the boats are shared by the rowers and coxes in the party.

If you would like to express interest or learn more about the event, please send me an email (secretary@londonrc.org.uk). Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

Andrew Boyle
Honorary Secretary, London Rowing Club

AN LRC CREW AT SIXES AND SEVENS

*Crew left to right: Desmond Hampton, Mike Fothergill, Our President, Hugh Burkitt, Bernie Regan, Tim Cox, Bobby Lawes, Christopher Grainger, Rob Lowson.*

This long-forgotten photo surfaced recently. It includes a number of 6s and 7s about to take to the water in the HORR. The purpose of the 6s and 7s (apart from an extremely agreeable annual lunch) is to preserve LRC’s valuable historical artefacts, and the question has arisen, should this photographic treasure be displayed on the walls of the Club? But a dispute has broken out as to the year when it taken. Indeed, the surviving crew members are at sixes and sevens.

Chris Grainger is holding a number which appears to say 1821, but the Club wasn’t founded until 1856. Bobby Lawes, our cox, asserts that his dog (called Susie and therefore at that time not allowed to join us in the boat) was called to her heavenly maker in 1980. The hair styles certainly have a seventies feel - just look at those locks curling over Mike Baldwin’s left ear. And isn’t that gesture he is making behind Mike Fothergill’s head rather youthfully un-Presidential?

Meanwhile, the ever-scholarly Julian Ebsworth tells us that an LRC crew starting at 182 in 1986 finished number 330 out of 398. Given the talent on board, this is slightly hard to believe, but on the bright side, we were faster than 68 other crews. How about a nice gold frame and some elegant calligraphy to record the crew’s 40th anniversary in a couple of years’s time? Shall we take a vote?

Hugh Burkitt

REPORTING SAFETY INCIDENTS

All members are reminded that if you are involved in or witness a water safety incident, you are required to report it using the following email address – safety@londonrc.org.uk

The Club will file any necessary reports on your behalf with British Rowing and the PLA. Members should not submit reports directly to either body.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

My thanks to everyone who has contributed to this edition of the London Roar. If you have an idea for an article or would be interested in submitting a piece for inclusion in a future edition, please email me on miles.preston@londonrc.org.uk

Please do not submit an article without first liaising with me.

Miles Preston
Editor of The London Roar