Bluefriars Day - 8th July 2006
Celebrating
50 years of Bluefriars Boat Club
10 years of the Bluefriars Trust
What a wonderful day !
At first, this aged man was rather horrified by all the changes---for a start, the derelict canal basin now spick and span and actually being used and prospering, and coaches no longer having to run along the non-existent towpath with their crews, and such an array of boats of all sorts! Moreover I had not really expected the callow youths I had coached and bullied so many moons ago to have become elderly, prosperous gentlemen, though some seemed to have the same faults as they had then---X still washing out, Y still shooting his slide, &c.. Then the sight of girls rowing! It couldn't have happened in my day! And they were rowing so well. I was mightily impressed by a IV consisting of a father and three daughters, rowing beautifully. I was jealous that some of my own age were still performing with all their old skill, though.
So many changes, but, although there seemed rather less pride in the Club and its achievements, there was the same magnificent spirit as ever. As long as that persists, Monkton rowing will be a credit to a fine school.
Charles Grimwade - Founder of Bluefriars
The 2006 Bluefriars celebrations were well worthy of the vision of Charles Grimwade and the industry of Julian Bewick. What surprised many was the talent of so many oarsmen whose smooth performance indicated that none had lost the skills acquired in some cases more than half a century ago.
There was no surprise concerning the organisation for which Monkton can justifiably be proud, nor the generous hospitality in the Old Hall and marquee.
The fact that Monkton contributed 50% to our nation's Coxless Four was evidence enough that on our little river with limited equipment much is achieved. With increased investment able athletes from around the country could be tempted to join Monkton with its well deserved reputation for training talented teenagers.
The future of Independent Schools may well depend on evidence of excellence and their contribution to major national activities whether they may be rowing, residential schools for swimmers in association with the fine facilities at Bath University or ballplayers educated and resident in the valley but playing with professional teams in the locality
If the editor does not delete this paragraph I should like to conclude by congratulating JMB for a truly distinctive contribution to MCSBC for over 40 years and for editing a journal which will prove a precious resource when the Monkton history is once again written.
David Prichard - Coach
Bluefriars Day 2006
There is always a nostalgic air about the Boathouse and a warm welcome from present members of the School. This year's really-veteran VIII included Ian Lang, John Porter and Tony Worth, whose father, Peter, rowed in the 1940 Monkton crew (with me). So far as I remember, there being no Henley in wartime, we had just one 'timed' race against Bryanston on the Stour at Blandford, and lost!
Shortage of coaches meant that senior members of the club would, after their own outing, take on a house crew coaching from the towpath; and this on wartime rations. Skipping and a fixed tub took the place of rowing machines, and a lot cheaper!
Mike Lapage - 1st VIII 1940 - Olympian 1948
Dundas Aqueduct to Chiswick Bridge
I came to Bluefriars Day in JuIy and enjoyed rowing again under the Dundas Aqueduct. I have continued to row since Monkton and in recent years have spent many weekends in fours and quads at Mortlake RC, ploughing the Tideway close to Chiswick. This is the same stretch of river where I rowed in the 1973 VIII that won the Chiswick Regatta, beating Tiffin and Westminister, after coming through from third place.
I still fondly look at a tankard from that regatta win at Chiswick in 1973. We were lying behind Tiffin and Westminster about three quarters of the way down the course. Paul Ashton our cox called on Dave Silcox to up the rating and we gradually edged ahead and came up between the two other crews to win by a few feet. It was truly a memorable win.
The finish line is very close to Chiswick Bridge and Mortlake RC. It is also, of course, coming from the other direction, where the other well known race, the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race ends. I have often edged up the rating when rowing close to Chiswick Bridge !
Of course, sadly, Paul Ashton and Chris Morris are no longer with us, but I send my salutations to the rest of the 1973 squad: Dave Silcox, Jeremy Ibbotson, Bill Gardiner, Mark Underhill, Phil Counsell, Anthony Titley, David Lea-Wilson and JMB.
I think it is great to keep the connection with rowing, my only advice is keep reasonably fit, stretch, row both sides in fours and eights, and look after your back ! There can be more to the journey from Dundas Aqueduct to Chiswick Bridge than you might think !
Andrew Smith - 1st VIII 1973