As usual, this newsletter contains the rowing reports which have been submitted to the 'Monktonian', so some readers are asked to excuse the repetition. The following paragraphs will not appear in the 'Monktonian', and it is hoped that they will be of interest to Bluefriars.
We are most grateful for a large donation to Club funds received during the past year. This has been used partly to finance holiday rowing and partly for the provision of amplifying and radio equipment for boats. A proportion of the gift is held in reserve, and will be useful in future years.
About 120 OM's have joined the scheme for regular donations to Club funds by Bankers Order. The first payments were made about three years ago, and the number of people taking part has now reached the size which makes the total fund a most useful source of help f or club activities. Present members of the school who join Bluefriars after rowing in holiday events are asked to start regular donations when they leave. Many, though not all, do so as a way of repaying some of the benefit they have enjoyed while at school. The present generation is grateful for their predecessors' support. A Bankers' Order form is printed on the back of this Newsletter for those who wish to make use of it. If you already pay, but have been transformed from a poor student to an earner, then perhaps you would increase yourpayments! It's entirely up to you, and I assure you that all donations, large or small, are gratefully received and used wisely.
You may well ask where all the money goes to! Here is an outline of what we have managed to do in the last year:
Several boats have been equipped with radio through which the coach can talk to each member of the crew. This innovation has proved a great success, and has helped to improve the standard of rowing in the club. Some further sets will be acquired next year to complete the scheme.
Club funds have been used to purchase a planing machine for the workshop. This will save much time, and has seen good use already.
Many more boys and girls than in the past have taken part in holiday rowing activities - about 50 this year. They and their parents pay for most of the transport costs, but Bluefriars funds have paid entry fees, as has been customary for many years.
First Eight training at Cambridge was subsidised (as usual) by Bluefriars funds, so was the training at Reading University during the Lent Term.
A further stock of blazer badges (which have to be bought in bulk nowadays) has just been ordered. Members of 1st and 2nd VIIIs will continue to have these badges supplied by the club. (Incidentally, if you have a blazer which you no longer require, would you consider giving it, selling it or loaning it to the Club so that it can be lent out to oarsman for a year at a time? This is a request that I have made before, but everyone seems reluctant to clear out their wardrobes.)
Rowing photographs are as popular as ever. They are always paid for by those who want them, but Bluefriars funds cope with the large capital outlay when orders are made.
It is still the custom that the Captain of Boats keeps a day to day record of training. The Minute Books go back many years and are important archives of the club. A new book had to be purchased this year, and Bluefriars funds ensured that the quality was up to the old standards.
The First Eight and other crews spend several nights camping (in tents or boathouses) each year. The gear travels in the trailer with the boats, and until recently has frequently got wet on the journey. The club has been given some excellent material from which to make waterproof covers, and these have been made up by a local upholsterer. We now arrive at our destinations with dry sleeping bags!
The list could be extended with details of smaller purchases. Thank you for making them all possible.
Miscellaneous notes
The school bought three new sculling boats during the year.
Mr. Brian Mawer, one of the coaches, built a coxed pair which was brought into commission during the season. It has seen increasing use.
The 1st VIII was most grateful for all the support it received at Henley, and were sorry that the day did not produce their best row.
We congratulate Mike Key and Annabel on the birth of their second daughter (Mary) on 5th June 1983.
A new VIII, named Eleanor Ashton was launched by Mrs. Ashton on Saturday, 17th September. This will be used by junior crews. We take this opportunity of thanking the Ashtons for putting up with so many Monkton crews over the years. A large number of oarsmen have happy memories of their welcome, their church hall floor, and splendid breakfasts cooked by Eleanor at (sometimes) very early hours.
During the Boat Club Centenary celebrations in 1978 it was suggested that an effort should be made to encourage OMs to take to the river on OM day every five years or so. We hope to see OM crews on the river in 1984 (a year late), and will try to lay on some tea at the river as well.
Blue friars ties are available to members. Stocks are low at present, so if you ask me for one, you may have to wait a while before getting one. The present stock are priced at £4.25 each. New ones may be more expensive. If you want one, please send a cheque to me, payable to Monkton Bluefriars, marked 'Not more than £5', and I will fill in the details if the price has been raised.
Bluefriars Small Boats Head Race was not held last year as the number of entries was very small. We will hold it in 1983, on Saturday, 26th November. Please let me know if you would like entry forms.