Cuttack Boating Club

Cuttack Legionnaires

THE CUTTACK ROWING CLUB

Following on from the success of the Great The Tudor Pull River Race in 2018, the task for 2019 was to The Tudor Pull is an annual ceremonial event, this find another suitable challenge for us to take year involving the Queen’s Royal barge Gloriana, the part in – sadly the dates for the Great River Royal shallop Jubilant, the Company of Watermen Race 2019 did not match the availability of most of and Lightermen’s shallop Lady Mayoress and the original crew – or at least those that professed to accompanying cutters, and assorted other craft, all wanting to give it another go. decked out in full regalia, rowing twenty-five miles down the Thames from Hampton Court to the Tower ‘Didi’ (the boat) is now a fully paid up member of the of London. The main aim is to deliver to the Governor Thames Traditional Rowing Association (TTRA) who of the Tower a symbolic stela (a piece of medieval organise a number of races/ challenges in order “to water-pipe made of hollowed-out elm) and thus to support and promote the sport of traditional fixed promote the use of the Thames for transport. The seat rowing and sculling on the River Thames”. Other event also commemorates the sinking of Eleanor of members of the TTRA include a number of livery Provence’s barge, and the drowning of one of her companies and City based institutions. courtiers, the Lady of the Bedchamber, under Old London Bridge, in 1256.

This year’s Pull, marked the 505th anniversary of the founding of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, under Henry VIII in 1514, and took place on 29 June. A new crew had to be recruited for this challenge. In addition to NGC, David and Henry Bredin, Nigel a Brassard (an old school friend of Nick’s/ GWT supporter and huge fan of ‘bhat’), Mel Brown (the photographer who covered our 200th Drinks Party at Mercer’s Hall in 2017), Major Sarah Greenwood (Admin Officer for Brunei Garrison with 1 RGR in 2013-2015) and Victoria Carroll (a very experienced oarswoman and now a fully-fledged Legionnaire) stepped up to give it a go. Sarah and Victoria are in training for the Talisker Challenge in December 2020 – essentially rowing the Atlantic.

Whilst the event is not competitive, Gloriana does not hang around so a decent pace has to be maintained to keep her in sight. This year was no exception: Gloriana roared off leaving the accompanying flotilla of 30+ boats spread the length and breadth of the Thames; it made the work of the safety boats very challenging.

Approaching Tower Bridge: Henry Bredin once again at ‘stroke’

Didi more than held her own, overtaking at least five other boats – it wasn’t really a race but – and we were the 4th or 5th boat to arrive at St Katherine’s Dock. Rowing through the centre of London, dodging the City cruises/ ferries/ barges/ pleasure cruisers is quite an experience. Bear in mind that rowing boats are not allowed into the Port of London area without special permissions and a lot of safety equipment but, because this is an official event, we were able to make our way steadily, waving to the crowds of people on the banks and boats all out and about on one of the hottest days of the summer (32°C).

Conditions were very spicy towards the end as it was wind against a strong tide mixed with the wash from all the commercial traffic on the river and we hit a number of big (for the Thames) waves with one particular wave dumping a good three inches of water into the boat... at least it wasn’t cold! The Atlantic girls were happy.

Didi is now known as the Gurkha boat so I shall seek to expand our presence on the water. Who knows we might have a crack at one of the races in 2020 as there are number of ‘sons’ who have a very distinguished rowing pedigree. Stand to!

Boating at Richmond

Didi was built in partnership with the AHOY Centre based in Deptford and this is where she is looked after when not being used. However, Deptford is not the easiest place to get to and that stretch of the Thames is not very scenic, notwithstanding the significant regeneration that is taking place.

So, to counter these negatives Didi was towed up to Richmond and the call went out to Legionnaires, family and friends to see if I could tempt them into having a go. The plan for each outing would be to meet up at Richmond Bridge Boathouse, paddle upstream beyond Eel Pie Island and up to Teddington Lock and then return for refreshment in one of the many local restaurants or pubs that festoon Richmond riverside. There was a mix of evening rows (Wednesdays) and lunchtime sessions (weekends). The weather cooperated for each outing although

One Man in a Boat: Nick and Didi

one Sunday outing tested the resolve of some of the rowers – it was fine for the row itself but absolutely tipping down with rain 30 minutes before departure.

Upon placid waters: Paddy Grant and Niall MacNaughton up front

A total of six outings were held with attendees including Duncan and Ria Briggs, Frank and Alison Dufficy, Patrick Grant, Niall MacNaughton, Andy

Boating Events in 2020

Unfortunately, the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic means that Nick’s boating plans for early 2020 will inevitably be disrupted. However, Nick will be looking for volunteers later in the year, when hopefully the pandemic will have been brought under control, including:

June/July: A tour from Oxford to Westminster spread over four days with crews swapping in/ out of the boat at various stages unless, of course, someone wants to do the complete journey. August: Boating at Richmond (see article). September: The Great River Race. Very competitive so training will be required.

Editor

MacInnes, Simon Gordon, Mel Brown, Chris Horton, Marika Cencelli, Sarah Glasspool, Jules Denee, Hugo Denee, Mark Knight, Peter Battle, plus Nick and Eva Gordon-Creed – most attendees had two outings.

Given the relative lack of rowing experience in the boat, expectations were not high with the goal being to finish each outing on time and safely. A few outings had to cope with the very strong Thames tide but all in all the results were very good; timing of the stroke improved immeasurably during each outing and the blister count was not too bad.

The stretch of river between Richmond and Teddington is really attractive with some wonderful landmarks; Star & Garter, Petersham Hotel, Marble Hill House, Ham House, Eel Pie Island, Radnor School (site of Alexander Pope’s villa), to name just a few.

A worthwhile venture for sure and it will be repeated in 2020 – see you on board?