Mr. Percy Tolman, who worked for the Boat Club for ten years as Assistant at the Boathouse, died in December 1987.

Percy retired from his full time work in the building trade in 1972: at the time, he lived in one of the cottages at Limpley Stoke Bridge, and he wanted a part-time job which he could reach easily. We advertised for an assistant for Terry Page, who was then our Boatman; and Percy was appointed. He was able to walk along the derelict canal to the workshop, where he soon gave us the benefit of his skills. He was a roofer and floorer by training, more used to six inch nails than the small copper tacks used in boat-building, and he was always happier with a lump hammer than a fine chisel! However, he turned his ever-resourceful hand to the many and various tasks undertaken in the workshop, and very soon became a much loved member of the Boat Club, serving it faithfully, both as craftsman and friend of coaches and boys alike. He worked many more than the hours for which he was paid, and often came back to the boathouses late in the evening and at week-ends to make sure that all was well.

When Terry left to go to Salters, Percy was left by himself for a while, and his hours increased even more, while he held the fort until a full time boatman was appointed.

There were many special days on the river for Percy: two must be recorded here. A first Eight boat which he had helped to build was named after him by one of his daughters, and he was thrilled to watch it from the Umpire's launch when it raced at Henley. ("The happiest day of my life", he said.)

Percy loved talking: his conversation ranged from modern youth and workmanship to stories about his days in the orphanage, the wartime bombing, singing in the South Stoke choir, the world in general and his hobby — making money on the horses. He did not trust modern building materials; spending hours working wood and stone by hand or with old- fashioned equipment, rather than resorting to new-fangled power tools. (He did possess some tools: one was a huge power drill, capable of drilling through large concrete blocks for hours on end; it was powered by a length of searchlight cable. It didn't matter to Percy that this wire was 40 years old, and the insulation was crumbling away — it was much better than modern rubbish!)

The writer has particularly fond memories of 'Mr.T.', as he was known to many Monktonians. He supervised and inspired the renovation of 1, Church Cottages, and was a friend and mentor of well over 100 boys who took part in the project. There were few bounds to Percy's kindness; he used his skill to help the old and the young alike, and many, many people have good cause to be grateful to him.