The Tom Mildinhall Memorial Prize
This prize is funded by gifts in memory of Tom Mildinhall, who was killed in action in Iraq. It is given to a rower (or possibly a crew) who has shown particular persistence or any other worthy characteristic. The inaugural prize has been given to Sam Wall.
OM Rowing
Alex Partridge was married in September; Henry Bailhache is coaching at Oxford Brookes; Julian Johns is captain of Curlew RC; Jessie Dewes is coxing in Cambridge; Steve Williams and Alex Partridge continue in the GB Squad; Kate Hanna has been Women's Captain at Sheffield Univ. BC. et al. The latest 'recruit' Is Philip Counsell (MCSBC Captain 1975), who enjoyed the reunion row so much that he has joined Bristol Ariel RC.
Accounts
As a Charity, Bluefriars submits its accounts annually to the Charity Commission. They are available on their website. We are grateful to George Savage for acting as the Independent Examiner of our accounts.
Maps Videos and Photos
There is an excellent photo of the aqueduct at http://maps.live.com . Zoom in on the Aqueduct, and choose Birds-eye view. You can see boats on the river, and one being carried across the aqueduct on its way to a regatta. We used a similar map of the course at Saltford to help competitors at the head race, and will zoom in on the Mortlake to Putney course to help coxes to find their right line. A very useful facility
Some training films and videos have been transferred to DVD. Many of them were taken by Brian Mawer between 1988 and 1993. It's a long job, and we hope to be all to report progress this time next year. Crews of that era may like copies.
Coffee Mugs and Water Bottles
We have a new stock of coffee mugs and 750ml sports water bottles, designed by Joe Short, who has designed the cover of this Newsletter for at least ten editions. These are available for purchase (3 each). Good Christmas presents? (Ties and 1st VIII Scarves also in stock.)
www.bluefriars.org.uk
While on the Bluefriars site, please remember that Bluefriars benefits if you buy from Amazon via our site. We get a steady stream of income from this source.
The text of the Newsletter is being added gradually to the website. It is hoped to get all editions online.
Bluefriars Lunches
For several years we have held informal family Sunday lunch parties from time to time in Nightingales restaurant at Limpley Stoke. Andrea and Mary Colla have retired, so the last lunch saw a change to a Thai meal, in the same building. Any Bluefriar who lives locally would be very welcome at the next lunch which will probably be held in the Spring.
Bluefriars Dinner
We hope to organise a dinner at Leander Club after the Beijing Olympics, to welcome back in the Monktonians who get into the team. The data is provisionally fixed for April 2009. We plan to arrange rowing outings in the afternoon. It is hoped that Steve Williams and Alex Partridge will be members of two of the crews.
Bluefriars Head Race
The 2007 race was held in glorious conditions early in October. We had a good entry of over 130 boats, including large contingents from Monkton, Bryanston, Avon and Nantes. We are grateful not only to Penny Senior, Chris Hopper and other members of Avon County Rowing Club, our hosts for the event at Saltford, but to the many helpers who make the race possible. Years ago, we used to run the race with just a handful of people; now it takes about 40. Amongst them are rescue boat drivers from the Bradford-on-Avon Life Saving Club, members of the Avon County, Nigel Gould-Smith and Andy Griffiths who have been start marshalls for several years, Liz Ball and Sharen Hunt who deal with the computer and paperwork on the day, and Brian Mawer and his dogs who have done timekeeping for at least 20 years.
Next Edition
Please send any material for the Newsletter to jmb@bluefriars.org.uk