It is the custom that the club occasionally gives a silver broach to a supporter who has gone far beyond the call of duty in giving hospitality to Monkton crews. Jane Perry (mother of this year's Secretary of Boats) allowed her house to be invaded on many occasions by crews and other sports teams from Monkton, and we were delighted to mark her outstanding contribution when the Captain gave her a broach at the Leander dinner.
It has proved difficult to keep tracks of OM rowing activities in the past year, because you are (mostly) so bad at letting me have your news. This is the best I can do: Peter Alvis and Jeremy Hepworth in the 1st VIII at Oxford Brookes; Jonathan Salisbury coaching; Nick Cross (development Squad) and Steve Williams (Senior Squad) have just started. Jo Doidge-Harrison was Ladies Captain at Caius; Ben Webb still rowing at RAC; Pete Aylward is rowing at Birmingham and is responsible for management of equipment; Richard Britton spent some time rowing with King's College London, then moved to 11 I ,., where he took part in trials. Justin Mumford rowed for the Reading University 1st VIII, and is now President of RUBC.
New members are always welcome. There is no subscription, but many members give annual donations by Bankers Standing Order. Oarsmen and oarswomen who are still at school are invited to join the club after their first race rowed out of term, when school crews always row under Bluefriars colours. They are not expected to contribute to club funds while they are school, but it is always hoped that those who benefit most will think it right to donate to club funds after they have left. Parents of oarsmen and other friends of the club are also very welcome to join.
As well as supporting the 1st VIII training expedition to France, Bluefriars funds helped to support the 1st VIII, the girls and Junior Colts rowing during the summer half term. The 1st VIII also rowed at Burton on Trent after the end of the summer term.
A contribution of £100 from Bluefriars funds helped towards the very considerable expenses which Jeremy Hepworth had to face when representing Great Britain in the Under 23's championships in Paris.
The Guests at the 1994 dinner were Peter Alvis and Jeremy Hepworth, who rowed in the 1993 Temple Prize winning crew from Oxford Brookes.
The 1995 Dinner will be held at Leander on the evening before Wallingford Regatta (Friday 28th April). As usual, Bluefriars, parents of current and former members of the school boat club and other friends will be most welcome. The guest of Honour will be Mr Irving Steggles, who coached at the club for many years, and who has just retired from the staff.
A new stock of 1st VIII blazer badges has been obtained. Blazers can be ordered through me. Youngest ever Monkton competitors Michael Tuffnell and Jamie Cox (2nd form) went to Pangbourne Junior (Prep Schools) Sculling Regatta in the Summer Term. They entered the top event at this regatta, which had other events for boys as young as 10. There were about 60 entries altogether. Tuffnell came second in the J13 watermanship competition, and won the plate competition in the J13 Sculls.
Jeremy Hepworth and Steve Williams trained for several days on the Saltford stretch before going to the Boston Marathon, where they broke the record for Coxless Pairs by over 15 minutes. IMI1 was 'crew manager', which involved the usual tasks - cooking, transport, etc. The crew was self-coached