  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  | The Laying Up Supper was themed as the Mistletoe Ball this year and with its date on the first Saturday in December it was a wonderful opening to the festive season as well as the official end to the boating one. Many thanks to the Social Committee - Catherine, Paula, Anne and Helen and their helpers - who had worked so hard to plan and stage the event. The Woodclyffe Hall looked beautiful and was a fitting backdrop to the 100 elegantly dressed members who attended. Nikki and her team provided a delicious meal and it was great to see so many members demonstrating their dancing skills on the dancefloor once the disco started. Jane started the evening by saying how successful the season had been and presented John Hunt with the service award in recognition of all his support at the club over the years. More photos can be seen on Tim Hodges' website. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The sixth Wargrave Boating Club Skiff Racing Regatta was held on Saturday September 10th at Henley Sailing Club in Willow Lane. Although the forecast threatened both wind and rain, the day stayed dry, apart from a short lived shower in the early afternoon. 100 entrants contested 23 different events, with a total of 71 scheduled races. Despite the busy schedule, the event ran smoothly and finished on time, with some very exciting racing and close finishes – over the 500 metre course there was one dead heat, three wins by just 2 feet, and one of 3 feet, and many more of less than a boat length. Wargrave competitors won 8 of the events, Skiff Club 6, Dittons Skiff & Punting Club 4, Thames Valley Skiff Club 3, and Wraysbury Skiff & Punting Club 2. It is an indication of the considerable junior talent that we have at Wargrave, that 6 out of the 8 events we won had at least one teenager in the crew. Prize wine goblets were presented by Kate Calverley, and it should be mentioned the gratitude the club has to Kate for her tireless work as Membership Secretary. She along with Kate Robinson were the Race Controllers for the day and kept an iron grip on proceedings, making for a highly efficient regatta. Rod Murray did a great job at the finale as Master of Ceremonies. It takes many people to put on a regatta and make possible an exciting and enjoyable day, so thanks go out to those who helped set up and clear away, the catering and bar team, the controllers, the boatmen, and those doing the unseen but essential work in the background. Bouquets of flowers from Victoria Florists were presented to Kate Calverley and also to Beverley Davies, who spearheaded the organization of the event. Full list of winners can be downloaded from home page. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was great to see so many Boat Club members taking part in this year's Wargrave and Shiplake Regatta and there were several high profile victories. The aptly named Wargrave Elite (pictured) won the prestigious Grand Dongola competition, and we showed that we are a true family club by winning both the Veterans Dongola (Just Old Enough) and the under 12s (Pick 'n' Mix steered by Martin Pennock). Lucie Daman won an amazing 4 titles showing her skills in skiffing, canoeing and dongoling. Debbie Brady won the novice punting and Henry Atkinson, Peter Swift and Grace Atkinson won the under 12 side-by-side dinghy. The two days were really well attended and it was wonderful to see so many families enjoying the regatta. Thank you to all members who helped with practices, umpiring, marshalling, safety etc. Enjoy a few photos in the photogallery and official photos can be viewed at ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Congratulations to the rowers who competed in the Goring Regatta last weekend. This was a first for the mixed eight and they perfomed really well against stiff competition. Rowing is really going from strength to strength at the Boat Club with the courses encouraging some who rowed at school or college to take up the oars again and others to try it for the first time. There is always a good number for Sunday morning outings which continue throughout the year. The section has bought a new four this season which allows more flexibility. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Rag Regatta was an unforgettable day with continuous racing from 9am-6pm. There were some torrential downpours when bacon sandwiches and cups of tea were much in demand, but competitors displayed real 'English' spirit (and humour) and finally the sun came out for the barbeque and prize giving. Many members who had taken part in the courses this season had entered the Rag and it was fun to see novice skiffers and punters drawn with the more experienced. There were lots of children involved with the canoe and sit-on kayak adult and child races attracting a lot of the younger members and the under 12s handling the dinghies really well. As always the scratch dongola events for both adults and juniors had several crews involved and competition was intense. Many thanks to all those involved in the organisation and umpiring which allowed so many races to be completed in the day and to all those who helped in kitchen and barbeque. You can enjoy lots more photos of the day and see all the winners in the photogallery. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Spanish theme for the Summer Party was perfect for a warm evening. There were lots of excellent costumes - matadors, flamenco dancers, Manuel and Hose- A (ask Peter to explain!) to mention a few. 'Autentico' gazpacho and paella (not so sure about the sangria...) were enjoyed by all. Dancing to the disco was started by a few intrepid members and soon many were boogying away in the marquee and on the grass. A perfect view of Henley Regatta fireworks from the bank provided a real highlight. The Social Committee are organising a Family Picnic on 28 August which will involve taking boats over to the other bank for a game of rounders and relaxing picnic. The Laying Up Supper this year is entitled the 'Mistletoe Ball' as it is in December. Tickets will be sold at the club on Sunday 18 September at 3pm. For more information please e mail social@wargraveboatingclub.co.uk ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Wargrave on Water theme for the village festival meant that the Boat Club had to be very visible. The Club held a family event entitled Tales of the Riverbank. This was a Treasure Hunt on the water in which participants had to find characters from the Wind in the Willows along the bank by taking out canoes or dinghies. It was good to see many non-members coming down to the club and hopefully discovering what fun their children could have here. The Boat Club float in the parade was excellent with Simon towing a trailer of boats and youngsters sporting their lifejackets. The Boat Club stand at the fete was one of the noisiest and most competitive with many entering the ergo challenge. Congratulations to all the winners: U13 girls: Katie Edwards (210) U13 boys: Henry Blois Brooke (267) 13-17 girls: Imogen Collins (297) 13-17 boys: Andrew Southworth (340) 18-39 women: Rachel Perry (264) 18-39 men: Charles Burkitt (360) 40-59 women: Jane Swift (280) 40-59 men: Chris Howell (342) 60+ women: Maggie Goodall (262) 60+ men: Dave Moore (295) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Open Day was a tremendous success with several new families joining the Club. Queues formed for course sign-up ahead of the gates opening at noon and many of the courses (for adults and children) were over-subscribed. The Open Day is always a great opportunity for existing members to catch up and new families to find out more about the club and get to try out boats with a bit of assistance. This year it was the day after the royal wedding and the middle of a bank holiday weekend but there were still many who turned up and enjoyed the bar and barbeque. |
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