It was in 1960 that a far-sighted group of people at Eton first proposed that the College should build its own rowing course. The land near Eton was available, and in the College's possession, and the river even then had been seen to be far from suitable.

A pilot study was done by Peter Sutherland, captain of Leander and a practising architect, and documents prepared: but the economic climate changed, and the Trench (an inevitable name in view of the then Head Master, Antony Chenevix-Trench) was shelved. Briefly but unsuccessfully revived in the early 1970's after a spate of Eton forays into early Junior Internationals (Eton provided 40% of the British team between 1967 and 1974), the matter was again raised in the mid-1980's, when the current Bursar and Head Master took a particular interest in the project.

This time the updating and preparation of the scheme took over three years. Advice was sought from all available sources - Nottingham, FISA, the ARA, the Sports Council, Ministries, all who might be able to help Eton prepare a viable scheme. In 1988 it was announced to other schools at a meeting of the Kitchin Society (the dinner at Eton was presided over by the late Thomi Keller, who flew over especially from Switzerland); in 1990 it became public knowledge; and in 1991 planning permission was formally sought.However this brief description makes the task seem simpler and than it actually was. An Almanack is the place for statistics; this article may not be, but it needs to be said that the preparation cost a great deal of professional time and money - those who guess at half a million pounds may not be far wrong.

The project is self-financing - at least it should be, though the vagaries of the economic climate cast some doubt on that. At the end of the day (at least ten years hence) several million pounds will have been spent, the whole paid for by the sale of gravel that underlies the site in the Thames valley. The country will have a brand new eight lane two thousand metre rowing course, with separate return lanes, all within less than one hour's travel from central London or from Oxford. Eton will manage it: Eton has already said publicly that the course will be dedicated to rowing (no water- skiing, power-boats, etc) and available every day to others who wish to use it. Eton's swimming pool, built ten years ago, is now used by nine other clubs or schools, as well as by Eton. Similar sharing facilities apply to the school's new Tartan athletics track, which has been built to regional standards.

So what, you may say, is the problem? And why this article? Well, we live in a democracy: planning permission had to be sought, and on December 16th 1991 Eton's plans were turned down by Buckinghamshire County Council.

So here we have a school - admittedly with more than a passing interest in rowing - offering to provide the country with a much needed facility at no cost either to the country or to the rowing fraternity. Not unexpectedly, a group of people living nearby felt that they did not want the disturbance of a 2,000 metre rowing lake in their locality. Their views, for the present, have been upheld. Eton will now consider an appeal.

When Eton asked the rowing fraternity for support many excellent letters were sent to the County Planning Officer, and clearly the contents of these changed the County's view of the need for a rowing course. However, it was not quite sufficient to tip the balance in favour of the application.

When a similar case occurred in the sailing world, five thousand individual sailors wrote in to the Minister for the Environment supporting the scheme. It was passed. The rowing community needs to show a similar commitment.At appeal, the Minister for the environment would reconsider the application. He will be in a position to take into consideration regional and national factors, and it is right that he should know the depth of support for the project.

So - will you support us? Please send your name and address to Roderick Watson, The Bursar, Eton College, Windsor SL4 6DJ or telephone or fax me, John Langfield, on 0753 856396. We will keep a note of your name, and we will write to you when your assistance is required. The rest is up to you. If you want the Eton Rowing Lake, write to us. Ten Reasons for supporting Eton's Proposal for a 2000 metre eight-lane rowing lake:

• 1 The Eton lake will provide safety in a venue designed specifically for rowing.
• 2 It will provide new facilities for local schools, clubs, disabled rowers, other rowing organisations.
• 3 It will be an essential training aid for all our international teams, and especially the juniors.
• 4 The construction of the Eton lake will cost British rowing nothing; the lake will be available to all who wish to train on it.
• 5 The Eton lake has the support of FISA and the ARA, the Regional Sports Council, the Chairman of Henley Royal Regatta.
• 6 The Eton lake does not aim to compete with Henley or with Nottingham. It aims to supplement them.
• 7 54% of our oarsmen and oarswomen are based in the Thames Valley.
• 8 However, the Thames is becoming more and more dangerous for training.
• 9 Nevertheless, 20 years after Nottingham's construction, there is still no 2000m still-water course in the South.
• 10 The design of the Eton Lake incorporates substantial nature conservancy areas and parkland which have been welcomed by environmentalists.