Thames Tradesmen’s RC kicked off the festive season on Friday 1st December with the annual Christmas party, this year held at The Steam Packet pub on Strand-on-the-Green near the UL Clubhouse. More than 70 members, new recruits as well as old, joined the party, most wearing something sparkly to brighten up the dark and frosty evening.
Some of this season’s successful winners were wearing their shiny gold medals, while others had to resort to tinsel, sequins or gemstone jewellery.
A menu of hog roasted pulled pork and pulled spicy jackfruit baps with herby roasties, cauli cheese, and red cabbage, was served along with plenty of drinks as people mingled and complemented each other on their out-of-lycra looks.
Chairman Nigel gave a very long speech – his words, not ours – but to be fair, this has been an incredibly successful season for the club so there was much to say and many people to thank.
Among them, all the new members who have joined the club this season after completing the Learn To Row course. Nigel also thanked the many hard-working volunteers, who dedicate so much of their time to the club; including coaches Peter, Woody and Anthony as well as the coxes and bow steerers – Izzy, Kasia, Fran, Lee, Raja and many more – who makes it possible to get so many members on the river every week.
He followed up by expressing gratitude to Captains Jackie and Nathan for their hard work getting the members “fitter, leaner and meaner”; Julian Kell and Phil Hayman for their work maintaining and repairing the club launches, trailer, boats and blades; Lee for helping out with the Learn to Row programme; Raja for organising a brilliant rowing camp in Seville; Tim for organising entries and logistics for members going to events – and many others who help make everything run smoothly. Not least the Social Team – led by Fran – who organised the Christmas party and many other events.
Nigel announced that although the club sadly had to part with the ‘Nigel Panton’ this year, a new boat will soon be bearing the name.
He went on to list the impressive sporting results this season, which started well with wins for both the women’s 8 and men’s 8 – with a little help from members of Guildford RC – in The Head of the River Race in March, beating both local and international crews. The crews were coached and coxed to victory by Woody and Michael.
Another impressive win occurred at the British Rowing Masters Championship in the summer, when the ladies quad – Fran, Jackie Marie, Isabelle and Louise – narrowly beat Ireland’s Portora Boat Club to become Champions of Britain.
This was followed by victory at Hammersmith Regatta for Andy, Jay, Jonathan, Nathan and cox Woody in the Men’s Coxed Four Open Category. And of course there was Tim and Anthony’s unforgettable win in the Masters F double category at Kingston Regatta.
“What a year that was for Thames Tradesmen’s – we’re really moving on up the ladder,” concluded the chairman; a statement everybody was happy to toast to before the festivities continued.
Even many of the brave members, who had signed up for the 6.45am row the next day, were still there when the bell rang for last orders.
