The Pre-war Period

On Sunday, lath. September, 1927 a meeting took place at Mount Felex, Walton on Thames, arranged by the late Mr. J. Claude Marshall, who had recently become a local resident and who was a weli.-lmown member of Thames Rowing Club. It is fortunate that the original Minute Book survives which enables the details of the inaugural meetings to be available and provide the background for the history of the Club from the date of its formation.

Apart from Claude Marshall, the gentlemen present at the first meeting were Messrs. G. B. Carvill, R. G. Weller, H. Dale and B. Dale - who acted as Honorary Secretary for the first year. It was decided that an inaugural meeting be arranged at Walton Council Offices on Wednesday, 28th. September for the purpose of forming the Club under A.R.A. Rules.

The original newspaper cutting from The Surrey Herald - minus the first few lines is still attached to the Minute Book and records some interesting information. By courtesy of The Surrey Herald it has been possible to obtain a photo-copy of the report which is reproduced herein.

The Chairman for the meeting, the late Mr. H. F. Crosthwaite, a longstanding member of Kingston Rowing Club and well-known local resident, remained a much respected and generous member and was President for five years until his death in 1938. Because of Claude Marshall’s long-standing membership of Thames Rowing Club he was able to secure the interest of one of the most famous of oarsmen, the late Mr. Stephen Fairbairn, who became the first President until 1929.

Obviously, there could be only one choice as Captain, Claude Marshall, particularly as he had the personal recommendation of the immortal “Steve” who bww that Claude’s proven ability as a Coach would be a great asset to a new Club - and how right he was.

In these days of inflation and astronomic prices it is perhaps appropriate to note the financial problems discussed at the inaugural meeting referred to in the newspaper report. Such expenditure in those days would only have been possible and justifiable if there had been sufficient support from active and honorary members. As Claude Marshall said: “I would warn all intending members that rowing is a very exacting although enjoyable sport.” This warning did not deter some eighteen gentlemen from signifying their willingness to form the active nucleus of the Club - sixteen being members of the Thames Valley Skiff Club whose headquarters were then at Rosewell’s Boathouse. Therefore, the Club can be said to have been “Fathered” by Thames R.C. and its “Progeny” mostly provided by “The Valley”.

From the newspaper report it is interesting to note that a member of the original Committee was John Nisbet, and the snapshot herein shows him with Claude Marshall (in cap) when the Club first competed at Henley Royal Regatta in 1930. John Nisbet was Captain in succession to Claude Marshall from 1929 for two years and was succeeded by Doug Collis in 1931.

The Rosewell Family has always been associated with the River at Walton and it was “Bruno” Rosewell who provided the Club with their first headquarters at his boathouse below Walton Bridge which also accommodated “The Valley”. Early in 1928 he built and rented to the Club a timber boathouse on the Middlesex bank (flow the Sea Cadet H/Q), at a rental of £25 per annum.

The name of Parry has been associated with the Club since the early days as the late Bill Parry - our President for twenty-seven years until his death in 1976 — was elected a member in November 1927. He was never a rowing member but took an active part in Club affairs until a few years before his death. Fortunately, his son David followed in his footsteps and became a schoolboy member in October 1947 and was elected to the Committee shortly afterwards. He has remained a great stalwart of the Club and the sport both on and off the River ever since, providing a family association spanning the fifty years of the Club’s history.

Annual Dinners have always been an important feature in the social calendar and it is recorded that the first of these took place on 1st. March, 1928 at The Ship Hotel, Shepperton - tickets 6/—. including the expense of the “Musical Artjstes”. Mine Host at The Ship and a Vice-President of the Club was the late Mr. H. T. Blackstaffe — known to oarsmen the world over as a Vesta R.C. member and winner of the Diamonds and Olympic Sculls before the 1914-18 War.

The first Annual Dance took place at the St. Georges Hill Tennis Club on 1st. December, 1928 - tickets 10/-. and continued at the same venue for several years. -  Details of the rowing activities during the early years are not recorded in the Minute Book but it would appear the first regatta entry was a Junior Eight at Thickenham in 1928 and Juniors and Junior-Seniors were won in the first two years. In April 1929, the first new best eight was purchased - cost £131 including oars.

Unfortunately, many photographs of crews during the first three years have not survived and the earliest one available is probably of the 1930 eight winning Junior-Seniors at Reading. This crew is J. P. Franck (Bow), D. J. Collis, A. Shere, P. J. Scoresby—Jackson, J. H. Glover, V. H. Gillespie, F. R. Wilds, P. H. Freeland (Str) and V. G. Gregory (Cox). The photo is provided by courtesy of Jimmy Franck who in company with the Reverend John Glover and W. H. Gillespie attended Walton Regatta in 1975 when it was a great pleasure to see them after so many years. 1930 was the first year the Club competed at Henley Royal Regatta in the Thames Cup and the 1931 crew lost to Quintin B.C. in the second round by a few feet as shown in the reproduction of a press photo of that year with the Club on the Berks (No. 1) Station.

In May 1931, the late R. S. Hollom (rod) became a member and his untimely death in March 1975 was a grievous loss to his wide circle of fellow oarsmen, both past and present, and to the sport he had served so well both actively and administratively for over 40 years. He played a prominent part in the running of the Club and first became Captain in 1938, resuming the office in 1946 until 1949.

In April 1932 R. R. Swatton (Swat) joined the Club, having had a distinguished career first as a Thames punting champion and then as an oarsman with Thames R.C. In that year the Club won the Thames Cup at Staines Regatta. “Swat” became Captain in 1933, succeeding Doug Collis who had been in office for the previous two years, and held office for three years until handing over to Frank Wilds in 1936.

The late Frank Wilds joined the Club in April 1928, and became Secretary in that year holding office until 1933 when he was succeeded by the late C. W. Whitehurst who remained in office until the outbreak of the 1939-45 War and in turn handed over to Peter Curchod when the Club was revived in 1945, of which more later.  towards the end of 1930 the first contacts had been made with Oatlands R.C., which had been founded in 1929, regarding amalgamation but the project was unsuccessful and a further approach some two years later also proved abortive. However, in May 1934, the union did take place and Ronnie Goodall - our President in this our Golden Jubilee Year - and Peter Curchod are the two remaining members who joined from Oatlands fl.C. Indeed our President even still possesses his Qatlands blazer which he has been known to wear on occassions, although it is now a bit on the small size.

The next five years, 1934-39, were mainly notable for the successes achieved by the coxless four in Wyfold and Stewards class races, including reaching the final of the Wyfolds at Henley in 1937 - a feat repeated 22 years later in 1959.

E. H. Deane (Oscar), a Thames R.C. member since the early 20’s, joined the Club in July 1936, mainly with the object of coaching and became Captain later that year. He achieved notable success in coaching the Wyfold Four and the combination became known amongst the rowing fraternity as the “Coach and Four”.
There were a number of other Regatta wins in the period 1935-39, including Junior Eights at Staines in 1938.

On the outbreak of the 1939-45 War many manbers, who were already in the volunteer forces, were called up and Club activities ceased. The boats remained housed in the boathouse but the ground (known as “Common flat”) was taken over by the Navy League and the changing room and bar were occupied by the Walton and Sunbury Sea Scouts. The Club is indebted to the then Honorary Treasurer, the late Mr. G. L. McLeod Carey, who was the Manager of Barclays Bank, Walton, and his successor Mr. F. H. C. Learner and also to the late Mr. C. H. George, the Manager of the Midland Bank, Walton, and Secretary of Walton Amateur Regatta, for their efforts in the interests of the Club whereby payment of rent was made and the rights of the Club to resume activities were preserved.

It has to be recorded here with deep regret, that at least three members are known to have been killed on active service - Geoff King, Paget Bingham and Bill Mance. All had been enthusiastic and successful oarsmen and had played an active part in the affairs of the Club.

The Club after the War

In the Autumn of 1945, Peter Curchod, who was on demobilisation leave, visited the Club and made contact with the Sea Scouts who were in occupation subject to the condition that if the Club restarted within a year after the cessation of hostilities the right was reserved for access to the river to launch boats.

As a result, a meeting was arranged by “Swat” which took place on the 8th. December, 1945, for the purpose of resuscitating the Club if there was sufficient support. Present were Messrs. Swatton, Collis, Hollom, Deane, Goodall, Phillips, Kerly, Skeates, Hamnett, Wilkinson and Curchod together with Messrs. George and Learner.

It was agreed to try and revive the Club and to convene a General Meeting for this purpose. Meanwhile, Acting Officers were appointed — Messrs. Goodall and Phillips as Captain and Vice-Captain respectively, and Peter Curchod as Secretary/Treasurer. A provisional Committee was also formed consisting of those members attending the meeting.

The first post—war boating took place on 3rd. February, 1946, and an eight rowed in the Putney Head of the River Race on the 30th. March. Meanwhile, the General Meeting had been held on the 7th. March at which Officers and Committee were elected as follows: President.  Mr. C. J. D. Goldie, Deputy President - Mr. C. V. Whitehurst, Captain - Mr. ft. S. Hollom, Deputy Captain - Mr. G. C. Skeates, Treasurer - Mr. F. H. C. Learner, Secretary - Mr. P. H. Curchod, Committee — Messrs. ft. R. Swatton, ft. L. Goodall, C. ft. Phillips, J. D. Kerly, T. H. Freeland and If. E. 6. Watts.

It was agreed to approach Mr. George in his capacity as Secretary of Walton Amateur Regatta to seek financial assistance from the Regatta funds. This objective was eventually achieved following the revival of the Regatta as the result of a meeting organised by the Club in December 1947, which re-established the Regatta in 1948 with the late W. Thoday (Dick) as Secretary and produced a very welcome loan of £100 which subsequently became a grant.

Meanwhile, in the Summer of 1946, an approach was made by “The Valley” who had no boathouse facilities and an arrangement was agreed for the housing of their skiffs and joint use of the changing room and bar. Thus the wheel had come full circle and “The Valley”, who had formed the nucleus of the foundation of the Club, were enabled to get back on the river themselves and again “Thames Valley!! provided the Club with many of its new active members in 1947.

In the 1948 Head of the River race two eights were entered, one composed of “pre—war” members: R. R. Swatton, R. S. Hollom, P. H.Freeland, H. E. G. Watts, R. C. Gussman, P. H. Curchod, R. L. Goodall, C. R. Riilaps with P. L. Bell as cox, and the other from new members: L. R. L. Tubb, P. J. Kates, F. W. Arrowsmith, A. J. Greenfield, J. Andrews, F. R. Awcock, S. F. Ash, D. W. Parry with R. Mandeville as cox.

The same second eight raced as a junior eight during the 1948 season with John Moxey in place of Tony Greenfield, losing in the final at Walton Regatta. With a number of active members boating and the Thames Valley Skiff Club also busy on the water, it became clear that the Club had to do something about its premises. The old boathouse on the Middlesex side where the Black Swan now stands was deteriorating rapidly and by the end of 1949 had apparently subsided by twelve inches at one side. Certainly by the Sunnuer of 1950, its condition was such that the Captain was making arrangements with Weybridge Rowing Club for the Club’s few boats to be stored by them over the Winter for safety. It was decided to look for alternative sites on the Surrey side of the river, it being felt that this would be more attractive to would-be oarsmen and assist in recruiting much needed new members. The Club was at this time low on its resources of members, money and equipment and to be confronted with the need to acquire new premises on the Walton Reach was daunting enough.

One scheme adopted to raise funds was to invite people to put their names to a donation list, donors to become Vice Presidents of the Club. The lists opened at the Regatta Committee Dinner in July 1949 and in that month the Club acquired 14 Vice-Presidents. In January of 1950 a further six Vice-Presidents were elected, to be followed by 5 more in March. During the period between July 1949 and January 1951, a dialogue was taking place between the Club and Walton & Weybridge U.D.C. to negotiate a suitable site on the Surrey bank. The Club asked for a site to be allotted at River House and suggested that it should have 100 ft. frontage to the towpath and a depth of 4o ft. as this would entail a lower cost in levelling the site in preparation for a building and this was seriously considered by the Council for several months, at the end of which they offered an alternative site on Cowey Sale. At almost the same moment the Executors of the late George Miskin offered to lease to the Club the present site at Sunbury Lane, Walton.

As a result of the Club’s parlous financial state a group of Committee Members investigated such possibilities as the acquisition of one or more second-hand Nissen huts or the like. Happily, on the recommendation of the then Treasurer, Mr. “Dick” Thoday, the Committee decided that the building should be of a construction that would make it acceptable for a mortgage at some future time.

Quotations for the construction of new premises varied from £2,000 — £3,200 and were quite outside the scope of a Club with £110 in the bank. The Captain was saying in Committee that he would not be happy about the members’ safety until the old clubhouse was demolished, and the Council was asked for planning permission for a wooden boathouse. Once again an eleventh—hour alternative saved the Club from probable liquidation.

A small local builder, Mr. Pickering of Pickering & Mayo, offered to demolish the old Club premises and build new ones using as much material as he could salvage from the old one for a cost of £250. The roof would be of timber from the floor of the old Club, the walls would be of breeze with brick pillars and the floor would be of concrete, to be laid later by members, the building being approximately 20 ft. x 70 ft. Once again plans were submitted to the Council for the new building on both the Black Swan and Sunbury Lane sites. A revised quote for building on the Sunbury Lane site was obtained:

• Demolition of old Clubhouse £ 50
• Erecting new Boathouse £225
• Erecting new Clubroom £ 75
• Transfering from old to new site
• Total: £400

This had increased to £527, but included a changing room, by one week later, and the Conunittee voted to accept the quotation.
The same Committee meeting authorised the Treasurer to mount an appeal with a target of £650 and approved the form of his letter.

On the 1st. August, 1952 the Council approved the plans and the builder was sent a Ministry of Works Application fonn for a building licence. A month later building had commenced, some of the labouring being done by volunteer Club members, including the propulsion of a “raft” made up of the roof trusses of the new boathouse, which had been made up on the site of the old one out of timers from its roof, down river to the present site. Despite a number of traumatic occurrences including the theft of some wood from the site and an initial refusal of the application for a building licence because too much timber was included in the application, the building was completed, to the limit of the builder’s contract, which did not include decoration, by the end of November 1952.

The main thing in everyone’s mind in the 1950’s was money. And no wonder, because at the beginning of December 1952 the building fund stood at less than £10. The general account was £44, the bar account was £28 plus £36 profit from a dance which had been set aside for stocking up the bar when it opened again in the near future. In January 1953 subscriptions for full members went up to £3. 3s. Gd. In September 1953 there was a big repair bill for £35. los. £25 of this was for varnishing and repairs to the best eight, £5 for varnishing and painting blades and £5. lOs. Od. for the purchase of a second-hand best boat.

Easter 1953 was chosen for the opening of the new premises and through that winter preparations were being made. F. L. “Slim” Gore, the Honorary Secretary, notified the Police and the Justices that the bar would operate from Saturday, 14th. March. Cash remained desperately short and there were worries about the cesspool, or septic tank, the cost of which would be £50 or more. Even Pickering’s contract had cost more than was estimated.

The Committee met practically every week to try to get the building finished. Denis Kates offered to get some bolts for the front door Vich had been found open a couple of times. The site needed fencing and two members suggested cheap sources of fencing materials to stop the public using the Club’s property as a thoroughfare. Fencing and drainage were subjects brought up at every meeting for some months. Watneys Brewery had agreed to fit up the bar, for which Mr. W. Waldron had supplied the glasses, and 28th. March was chosen for the opening day. The bar was opened in the evening when Members returned from watching the University Boat Race and competing in the Head of the River Race and the Honorary Secretary, “Slim” Gore, celebrated his 50th. birthday and was presented with a fine tankard.

The Committee met at the Sunbury Lane boathouse for the first time on 4th. May, 1953 when they transferred £50 from the Bar Account to the Building Account to complete the payment of £741 to Mr. Pickering, the builder. The problems of drainage and fencing remained to be solved, the Council having refused pennission for the building of a septic tank. A Club Supper held in “The Anglers” on 5th. November was a great success and was well reported by the Surrey Herald, making a profit of 15/-.

The balance sheet for 1953, read out at a meeting on 13th. January, 1954, showed a total of £186. 7s. Sd., which was considered a good year, and it was then proposed that a hot—water supply should be fitted for the shower. Interestingly, only ten months after the opening of the new Club, it was thought by the Committee that the Club might be extended in, say twelve months time, in order to make a bigger Club Room and Changing Room. This proposal was shelved later in the year.
Changing Room alterations were nearing completion at a cost of £20 with further plumbing work still to be done. Finances still were not too good, but would be better, the Honorary Treasurer announced, if Members paid their subscriptions promptly. Fortunately the bar account, as it so often has since, came to the rescue and in July the general account was back in three figures, i.e. £121; Building £63; Bar £97, though with several bills to pay after a Bar profit in the first half of 1954 of £70. Charlie fowling, who had learned his woodworking skills making wooden aeroplane propellers, was repairing boats and had to be paid. The Committee accepted a boiler and hot-water tank offered by Peter Curchod and Johnny Spiers, the local plumber, was asked to install it. In November, after the official opening, an opportunity came along to buy the timber for the landing stage very cheaply and it was put in under the direction of Steve Keating at a cost of £5. lOs.

The first post—war Annual Dance was held at the High Pine Club, Weybridge in December and was a great success making a profit of £13. 145.
In July 1955, the bar profits were estimated at £67 for the first six months of the year, a profit margin of 19 per cent and it was decided that £100 worth of tickets should be printed for a Christmas Draw.

Meanwhile, a team of members was laying a concrete floor in the boathouse and an electric cooker was fitted in the bar. Eric Phelps, the professional sculler, was doing maintenance work on the Club’s boats and the Committee was expecting a profit of £23 on the dance and £60 on the Christmas Draw to finance improvements.

By July 1956 the Club was £525 in credit with bar profits for the first six months over £90, a record for which Derek Walker, House Secretary was thanked by the Committee. In December the new Manager of the National Provincial Bank, Walton, Mr. W. R. S.Edgelow, offered to audit the Club books and Steve Keating and Ted Bullock were thanked for their hard work building the new bar and shelves in the Clubroom and Messrs. Lock and Parry for re—tiling the floor.

Prom Building to Rowing

Now that the building was up, the Club tried to make rowing its main activity once more and set abyut improving the standard of equipment. At the 1953 A.G.M. the President, Bill Parry, mentioned that the Club had won Maiden Fours at Walton Regatta with a crew coached by Tom Glasow and also two events at Skiff Regattas during 1952. He also praised members for helping with the manual part of the rebuilding work. The Club’s registered fleet at the end of February 1953 consisted of 2 eights, 3 fours, 4 scullers and one tub pair. Jim Arrowsmith and David Parry were sent off to look at two tub pairs which Eton College Boathouse had on offer for about £20 each, and one was bought, with blades, for £29. There was also an offer from Amy Gentry of Weybridge Ladies A.R.C. of a clinker eight with staggered seating for £25 which was not accepted.

Formation of Walton Rowing Club

The Walton Rowing Club came into oxi,tence on Wednesday evening, when a wellattended meeting was held at Elm- grove, to consider the formation of such a club in the Thames-aide town. Mr. H. F. Cro€thwaite, ich., presided. said that as Chairman of the local Council it was a duty as well as a great. pleasure to do his utmost to supvt anything of such a nature. Personally he was very keen and interested, because he had been rowing all hi, life. Us was pleased to see so many young men in the neighbourhood wanting to eater the good old sport —rowing.

A letter was read from Mr. Stephen Fairbairn, a well-known figure in the rowing world, who was unable to attend, conveying • number of useful hints as to the inauguration of a club. The writer recommended Mr. S. C. Marshall for the office of captain, as being a man with much experience as an oar and coach. He wished the Walton club happy and healthy crews and every success.

Resuming, the Chairman remarked that in starting a club they must be aware that however keen they niiglit be they could not overlook the question of expense. Still, he did not think they would have much difficulty in finding the money with which to make a start. They could expect considerable support from Chose who bad rowed in earlier days, and had still a liking for the sport.

Mr. Marshall stated that a sum of about £100 would be reauired to cover the purchase of boats, They would want a tub pair at an estimated cost of £10, a tub 1mw at £12, a tub and a cutter eight at £26 each, and a best four at £15. .Accosn. modation would cost roughly £50 a year. The great question was whether they had enough keenness there to start a club. They could not expect to start in any but a moderate way. The nucleua. he understood, would be fanned by members of the Skiff Club, and from what he had seen of them they, should prove useful oarsmen. Re would warn all intending active members that rowing was a very exacting although enjoyable sport.

It was unanimously agreed to form a club, to be called the Walton Rowing Club, and conducted under A.R.A. rules, The subscription for active membership was fixed at £2:2s. with an entrance fee of £1 is. and for honorary members at £1 Is., with entrance fee of los: 64. Tn order to attract a fair membership at the outset it was resolved that the entrance fees should not be chargeable at present. Some 16 members of the Thames Valley
Skiff Club were stated by Mr. B. Dale to be willing to join.

The elect:on of officers was then proceeded with and resulted in the following appointments :—President, Mr. Stephen Pairbairn: Deputy President, Mr. 0. B. Carvill; Captain. Mr. S. C. Marshall; lion. treasurer, Mr. R. B. Lowe; hon secretary, Mr. B. Dale. The followin were elected to the committee (wit power to co.oet two rowing members) Messrs. John Msbet, H. Brown.  H. Dale. S. W. Rawlins, jun.. and .4. Shere. Among those nominated as vice-yresidents were: Sir Stanley Macbin, Messrs. H, F. C,’oethwaite, ‘H. T, Blackstaffe. E. Nisbett, R. Phillips, c.C., and Jackson. By the end of the meeting 26 names had been submitted for membership of the new club.

A best eight, tiBoycell, was bought from Vesta R.C. and insured for £50 and two best pairs for sale by Eton College Boathouse were purchased for £45 by David Parry. As Captain, he thought the need for two matched pairs was too great for the opportunity: to be missed and the twb boats served the Club for many years. One is still in the boathouse, though not at present in usable condition. The president, Bill Parry, laid out the money until the Club could pay it back.

On the 29th. April, 1954, David Parry reported that an eight and a four were going on the water fairly regularly as well as odd pairs and scullers. Unhappily several craft needed repair and the Club was getting short of blades. On 17th. June it was decided to hold the official opening of the new premises and a Club Regatta on Sunday, 24th. October, 1954. Events would be Club scratch eights, best pairs, Applebee Cup for pairs in skiffs with oars and Club sculling handicap and R. R. Swatton, who had been Captain 1933/4/5 and 1939 was asked to carry out the official opening. The course for all the events was to be from the Anglers Hotel to the Clubhouse with tankards for prizes.

The official opening was a great success with upwards of a hundred people attending and the Regatta produced some excellent racing. Though by 1954 the Club’s boats were insured for £1,000, the search for more inexpensive equipment went on, the Captain being very keen to acquire a clinker four for novices.
Winter training was carried out on the water at weekends and on the tank at National Provincial Bank Rowing Club at Hammersmith one night per week.

The 1954 season had passed happily but not very successfully on the water and in the Autumn, Geoffrey Seaman, who had rowed throughout the last two seasons, managed to interest Mr. B. A. M. Clarke, the Honorary Secretary of the Skiff Racing Association, in coaching a Club eight during the winter and for the following season.

“Barn”, as he was universally known, approached his task with great enthusiasm and vigour and set a very hard training programme both on and off the water. The first reward for his and the crew’s efforts was the winning of the Burway Head of the River Race. At this stage a much more modem eight, “Black Prince” was purchased from First & Third trinity B.C., Cambridge for use during the Summer at a cost of £150 and a set of oars was ordered from Ayling’s of Putney, twelve feet overall with an inboard measurement of three feet eight inches, buttons not being adjustable at that time.

The Crew’s first regatta appearance was in Junior Eights at Hanvnersmith, where they lost in the final, having suffered from a mountainous steamer wash. They went on to win Junior Eights at 1’wickenham, Junior-Senior Eights at Walton and Reading and Senior Eights at Horseferry, all within five weeks.

It was during this Summer that the Club managed, at long last, to acquire a second-hand clinker four from Kingston Grammar School B.C. and the Captain, David Parry, had plans to buy a new eight and a set of oars so that it would be possible to race two eights during the 1956 season. Eric Phelps, the professional sculler and Dogget’s holder was by now carrying out the Club’s maintenance work.

In the 1955 Club Regatta there were three events, Club Sculling Championship, Club Pair—oar Championship and Scratch Eights and Bill Parry offered an 1868 Walton Regatta Cup as a prize for the sculling.

The Club had been holding an Annual Supper at the “Anglers” since 1952 and after the successful 1955 season it was decided to canvas in the open verandah to provide greater seating capacity. Some eighty members and guests attended a most enjoyable evening.

The winter training programme got under way under the direction of Clarke with two eights in training, but several members of the first eight found it difficult to give sufficient time to training with the result that though it won the Burway Head of the River Race for the second year running and finished 39th. in the Putney Head of the River Race, its perfonnance in the 1956 Regatta Season was poor. The second eight, who finished 100th. lii the Putney Head of the River Race, raced as a junior eight and was unlucky not to win at several regattas, sinking at Putney Amateur Regatta in appalling conditions.

It was in February 1956 that one of the Club’s keenest supporters, V. R. (“Willie”) Lloyd, became a member. He was for many years a member of the bar staff and has travelled to watch Club crews wherever they have raced.

The 1957 season started reasonably well with a *in over Weybridge R.C. in the Hyne Cup and third place in the Burway Head of the River Race. There were wins in Maiden Fours at Putney and Junior Fours at Twickenha,m but still no entry for Henley. Further wins in Fours brought the total of wins for the year to seven and a new coxless four was ordered from George Sims at a cost of £225. David Parry, the Captain, was nominated for the Desborough Medal, following “Barn” Clarke in 1955 and the Honorary Secretary “Slim” Gore in 1954.

For the 1957/58 season, Ronnie Goodall was elected captain with Geoffrey Seaman as his Deputy and there was a drive to recruit and train new members. Two eights trained regularly throughout the winter, the first beating Weybridge in the Hyne Cup and finishing second at Burway. Three eights were entered for the Tideway Head of the River Race for the first time, finishing 37th., 95th. and 238th. A coxless pairs event was arranged for the Easter weekend attracting eight entries and being won by Terry Halls and Paul Thomas, two young new members. It was shortly after Easter that the Club flag-pole, flying a new Club Flag, broke, narrowly missing the Honorary Secretary, “Slim” Gore.

The 1958 season opened well with a win for Terry Halls and Michael Rosewell in Junior Senior Pairs at Hammersmith and saw the first appearance of a very successful Senior Four composed of Terry Halls, Lionel Trice, David Parry and Eric Churbh, who won Wyfold Fours at Walton, Reading and Marlow and provided the long-awaited entry in the Wyfold Cup at Henley Royal Regatta where they lost to the winners, St. Thomas’s Hospital, in the second round. They split up to race in pairs at Kingston Regatta without success and finished the season with a win in Stewards Fours at Molesey Regatta. The junior eight raced well in the early part of the season but was forced to break up due to pressure of academic work. Michael Branton however, took to sculling and won Junior Sculls at Richmond.
In September 1958 a new eight was ordered from George Sims at a cost of £350 in preparation for the 1959 season. Earlier in the year Steve Keating, a hard working member of the bar team, built an extension to the back of the Club to provide a changing room capable of accommodating the increased number of active members and a new solid fuel boiler, donated by Mrs. Doreen Walker, was installed.

In December 1958, Mrs. Eve Turner, widow of Charles Turner a Committee Member who, in 1955, had produced the first of a series of Club Year Books and was sadly lost at sea in a sailing accident in October 1957, made a donation to the Club in memory of her late husband and it was agreed that the new eight now under construction should be named after him. The boat was launched by Eve Turner on Sunday, 8th. March, 1959 and is still in regular use by the Club.

David Parry was elected Captain for the 1958/59 season and looked forward to an active summer’s racing with a large number of oarsmen in training. Club crews finished second and fifth at Burway, fifth at Kingston and twentieth, 128th. and 266th. in the Tideway Head of the River Race.

In the early regattas the second eight won Juniors and Junior-Seniors twice, the first four won Wyfolds twice and David Wanstall won three sculling events. It was agreed that the second eight, having won Junior—Senior eights at Walton, should enter the Thames Cup at Henley, with the four entering Wyfolds.

The eight gave a creditable performance beating Imperial College B.C. but losing to an American crew and the four, composed of Terry Halls, Michael Rosewell, David Parry and Eric Church reached the final where they lost to a very strong Molesey four. These two fours joined forces to row in Grand Eights at Kingston the following week, which they won. The Thames Cup eight raced at the Serpentine Regatta, appearing on television when they lost in the final.

It was during the weekend of Twickenham Regatta 1959 that a mishap occurred involving Noel Catterall, a popular member of the Club not noted for his punctuality. Having entered Junior Sculls he set out from the Club to scull to Twickenham but on arrival found his opponent just completing the course having rowed over. Undaunted he sculled back to Walton, where, within three hundred yards of the Club he ranmied a moored motor-cruiser writing off the sculling boat.

Fortunately the boat was adequately insured and it was decided to replace it with a new boat suitable for David Wanstall. The boat was delivered in the Autumn and was christened “Wanger” by Mrs. Joan Wanstall in memory of Ray “Wanger’t Wingfield, a member who had died the previous year, and David Wanstall won the Weybridge Silver Sculls in the new boat to conclude a very successful season.

For the 1959 Club Regatta members of Ealing Grammar School B.C. and St. Georges College B.C. were invited to enter the scratch events which produced a large entry and some very good racing. At the November Committee Meeting it was decided that the Club’s oldest eight “Claudette”, so named after Claude Marshall, and the oldest coxless four should be sold as they were no longer being used and the rack space was needed for further purchases of new equipment including a coxless four christened “Bill Parry” after the President. Once again two eights trained throughout the winter but successes in the 1960 Regatta Season were confined to small boats. Michael Rosewell and David Wanstall won sculling events, the latter winning the Weybridge Silver
Sculls for the second time.

There was a record entry for the Club Regatta with a large number of schoolboy guests again invited to compete. The Committee at this stage began to consider extending the Clubhouse and installing main drainage and several schemes were prepared by an Architect which was the start of a saga which was to plague the Committee for several years to come before the work was finally completed.

The next year, 1961, was again quite a good season for the Club. The Junior eight won the Burway Head, the Junior-Senior four won at three first-class Regattas, and the Captain himself came third in the Scullers’ Head of the Rivei Race and also won Juniors at Walton. The Garrick pairs event at Molesey was also won as was the Boston Marathon by a best coxed four comprised of David Wanstall, Ian MacLennan, David Parry and David Watts with Nicholas Bradley as cox, over a course of over 30 miles. David Wanstall won the Weybridge Silver Sculls for the third year in succession. The new Captain was Terry Halls succeeding David Parry who, with the exception of 1958 - Ronnie Goodall’s year of office, had been Captain every year since 1954. * 1962 was another good year for the Club with twenty trophies won including the Burway and Kingston Head of the River Races, three four oared events including Senior Fours at Marlow and several pair oared and sculling events. A win in Junior eights still eluded the Club though St. Georges College were lending their clinker fours for training purposes.

In the Autumn of 1962 there were three eights in training. The first eight departed from the established practice by training in small boats until January when a new eight of advanced design was delivered and was christened “Slim” after “Slim” Gore who had served as Honorary Secretary for many years. On the morning of the ceremony the river was frozen hard from bank to bank and the boat had to be taken back to the tideway before the crew could have it’s first outing in the new craft.

At the A.GJ4. in the same month it was revealed that the bar had made £500 on a turnover of £3,194 and Mr. Michael Taylor was elected Honorary Secretary, ?TSlimII Gore ‘retiring’ to Assistant Secretary.

The different approach to winter training and the new eight started to pay off when the first eight won the Burway Head of the River race in the record time of 9 mins. 10 secs. and went on to finish second at Kingston and eighth in the Tideway Head of the River. In the Head of the River race for scullers David Parry finished fourth and Brian Gorringe fifteenth.

The eight won Thames Cup eights at Thickenham and Walton and competed in the Grand at Reading losing narrowly to London University, the winners who went on to win the Grand at Henley and represent Great Britain. The eight raced in the Thames Cup at Henley losing in the quarter final. The crew did not race again after Henley but must have been the fastest eight the Club has ever produced. Several members of the crew returned to racing in small boats, the Captain, Terry Halls, winning Junior Sculls at Molesey Regatta.

During the summer of 1963 the long awaited drainage scheme was completed. Between 1952 and 1963 the Club’s membership had grown from 98 to 235 and in 1960 Dennis Kates became the first post-war manber to become a life member of the Club. Three eights again trained during the winter of 1963/64 but the 1964 Regatta season was not very successful. Ronnie Goodall became Captain again on a basis in the Autumn of 1964, having agreed to serve only throughout the winter and J.P. Standing took over from him in April with R. J. Goudge as his Deputy. In July, Jim Standing had to resign the captaincy on being posted to West Africa.

Roger Goudge was elected Captain for the 1965/66 season and set about getting more crews on the water with a recruiting drive but the Club’s activities did not produce many trophies. It was during 1965 that two ladies applied, unsuccessfully, for membership of the Club.

Brian Gorringe followed Roger Goudge as Captain in 1967 and started with virtually no experienced oarsmen. He began a recruiting programme which was to stand the Club in good stead in future years. M. Branton was elected Captain for the 1967/68. season and continued the good work started by his predecessor with oarsmen who included J. Tame, N. Piper, C. and N. Brigden and P. Nonnan. All worked hard throughout the winter and the Club started to win Novice and Junior events again. Michael Brigden was invited to join Thames Tradesmen’s Rowing Club to compete in their Youth Four which finished second in the F.I.S.A. Junior Regatta in Amsterdam.

Mike Branton’s efforts with the new novice and junior members continued to pay off and in 1969, his second year as Captain, the Club again won the Hyne Cup arid finished 55th. in the Tideway Head. christopher Brigden won Junior and Junior—Senior Sculls towards the end of the season but the highlight of the years rowing was when Philip Norman and Michael Brigden won the coxless pairs event at the National Youth Championships and were selected to represent Great Britain at the International Youth Regatta in Naples where they finished eighth. It was during 1969 that the Club became host to the Surrey University Boat Club.

With a nucleus of oarsmen of some experience the Captain, Dick Thompson, felt that the Club needed a new coxless four for the 1970 Regatta season. An order was placed with Donoratico of Livdrno, Italy, and the boat was delivered in April 1970 and christened “Derek Walker”. At Walton Regatta the boat was put to good use when the Club won both Stewards Fours and Wyfold Fours and went on to row in Wyfolds at Henley where they were disqualified in their second race. The crew comprised C. Brigden, M. Micklefield, N. Brigden and I. Hunter and was coached by Peter Ament who, on their disqualification threatened never to come to the Royal Regatta again. During the summer of 1970 the Club was host to a composite four comprised of L. Blackburn and D. Tatton (Walton), P. Stuart-Bennett (Kingston) and P. Levy (Weybridge) whose aim was to represent Great Britain in the F.I.S.A. Junior Championships. They were coached by David Parry and won several events including Senior-Junior coxiess Fours at Walton. In the final of the event at the National Youth championships they dead-heated with Eton who would not re—row, thereby conceding the race to the composite crew who were selected to represent Great Britain at the F.I.S.A. Junior Championship Regatta at Joannina in Greece. They were coached in Greece by John Burnett of Weybridge Rowing Club and finished tenth.

In the Autumn of 1970 the Club suffered a sad loss on the death of “Slim” Gore, a tireless worker as Honorary Secretary during the difficult years of the fifties when the Club was struggling to re-establish itself.

The highlight of the 1971 season, in Dick Thompsons second year as Captain, was the winning of the double sculls at Henley by Michael and Christopher Brigden, the first Henley win for the Club. At Junior level the Club again participated in a composite arrangement with Hampton Grammar School and St. Georges College to produce a coxed four. David Tatton was the Walton member of the crew which was coached by John Langfield and represented Great Britain at the F.I.S.A. Junior Championships at Bled, Yugoslavia.

It was in 1971 that Dick Thoday, another of the team who had revived the Club after the war, died and Wilfred Edgelow, Honorary Treasurer for many years was elected Deputy President. The 1972 season with Ian Hunter as Captain did not produce many trophies but at Walton Regatta the Club joined forces with Weybridge to win Elite Coxless Fours. It was at this time, with the cost of equipment starting to rise sharply, that the Club began to benefit from the capital grants made available by the local council, first Walton & Weybridge Urban District Council and then Elmbridge Borough Council, and the Surrey County Council. It is doubtful whether the Club could have afforded to have kept its fleet of boats up to date in this severely inflationary period without this help. R. Lawrence Captained the Club in 1973 when several novice and junior events were won.

The years 1974 and 1975 were ones of consolidation under the Captaincy of John Pearce with the Club recruiting and training new members, the next milestone in the Clubs history being the first Senior National Championship win by Philip Norman and Nyles Nicklefield in 1976 under the Captaincy of Michael Hendry. The Club was also winning Novice and Senior B events in fours and under—15 events in fours and sculls.

Michael Hendry was elected Captain for the second time for the year 1976/77 and again produced a long list of successes to celebrate the Jubilee Year, the Club’s anniversary coinciding with the twenty-fifth anniversary of the succession to the throne of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  The start of winter training in October 1976 saw the Club making use of the rowing tank and weight training facilities in the newly opened Elmbridge Leisure Centre. Ivan Pratt, a former Captain of Weybridge Rowing Club, was in charge of a squad of junior oarsmen and scullers and there was a good nucleus of senior oarsmen who all carried out a very hard winter’s training. This was first rewarded with a win in the Hyne Cup and was followed by some twenty regatta successes including Senior A coxless fours at Walton Jubilee Regatta.

The highlight of the season’s rowing came at the National Championships where Jeffrey Moruin and Peter Browning won the J-16 championship in Double Sculls and took the silver medal in the Junior Championship, going on to represent England in the Home Countries International at the Serpentine Jubilee Regatta, a fitting end to the Club’s Jubilee Regatta Season.

To the researcher and scribe of the Club History inevitably a number of names emerge as being the notabilities in the Club and it is right and proper that many of them have their names honoured in the names of the boats on the racks today. The first to be mentioned has to be the name of Parry. Bill Parry was a Founder Member and President of the Club for over half its history and gave his name to a coxless four. His son, David, seems to have been making constructive suggestions in Committee for the last 25 years as well as having a singularly successful personal rowing career, to have been Chairman of the National Selectors and to have been elected a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta: a coxed four carries his name.

We will-take a minute to wander round the boathouse and to comment on some others. The newest eight, “Ronnie is named after a man who rowed for the Club both before and since the war, was Captain three times over a period of 20 years and in 1977, Golden Jubilee year, was elected President in succession to the late Bill Parry. Peter Curchod, co—author of this history, President of Walton Amateur Regatta, came into the Club in the 1930s with Ronnie Goodall as a result of the merger with Oatlands R.C. and has held the offices of Captain, Secretary and Treasurer and has been actively involved in every activity of the Club. His name is borne by a restricted four. Without the efforts of Ronnie Goodall and Peter Curchod it is doubtful if the Club would have survived the very difficult post—war period. Other members who have given their names to boats include Alfred Moorat, honoured by the coxed clinker four “Alfred”. Alfred himself, now in his 80s, is the Club’s oldest member and a Vice President; in fact he was on the Bar Committee from 1955. Derek Walker, long serving Bar Secretary and Vice President has the Donoratico coxless four named after him. The bar run by these two made money which kept the Club running when it would otherwise have had to stop buying equipment. Other boats have their namesakes discussed elsewhere. Turner”, the eight referred to earlier, is still in active service and about to enter its 20th. season and again there is “Slim” commemorating a long serving Secretary. Another to be mentioned is Major Tony Brigden. He was Bar Secretary for 4 or 5 years in succession to Derek Walker and was the father of the Henley winners. When he relinquished the Bar he became Club Treasurer for a couple of years prior to his untimely death in the Spring of 1976. On his retirement Tony gave the Club the money which bought the coaching launch “Major B”.

One or two other names come to mind which must be mentioned. Wilfred Edgelow, for many years Treasurer and latterly Deputy President of the Club who must be regarded as a major benefactor for having obtained, on the Clubs behalf, the freehold of the site on which the Club now stands. Dick Thompson, who became Deputy President on the retirement of Wilfred Edgelow in 1977 had followed “Slim” Gore, N. B. Taylor and R. Fairlam as Secretary. He was Captain in 1970 and 1971, has done an enonnous amount for the Club by way of repairs and installation work and now represents Division 14 on the A.R.A. Council.

The middle l97Os have seen a great change in the Club. The Captaincy and all the principal offices are held by enthusiastic young active members. Membership is increasing. More boats are taking to the water and more successes are being achieved. In 1976 the size of the boathouse was doubled, a third of the cost being raised by donations from members and friends of the Club. The balance was raised by a grant from the Elmbridge Borough Council and a loan from the Surrey County Playingfields Association. Both boathouses are well stocked with boats. Men are there to row them. The Club is financially sound and looking forward to the next 50 years with health and confidence.

Presidents

• 1927 S. I. Fairbairn
• 1929 E. G. Nisbet
• 1933 H. F. Crosthwaite
• 1938 ft. B. Low
• 1946 C. J. D. Goldie
• 1948 W. Parry, M.C.
• 1977 R. L. Goodall

Honorary Secretaries Honorary Treasurers

• 1927/28 B. S. Dale 1927/30 ft. B. Low
• 1928/33 F. ft. Wilds 1930/44 G. McL. Carey
• 1933/46 C. W. Whitehurst 1944/48 F. C. H. Learner
• 1946/49 p. H. Curchod 1948/49 F. W. Arrowsmith
• 1949/51 B. Amos 1949/51 I. J. C. Jones
• 1951/63 F. L. Gore 1951/58 W. Thoday
• 1963/69 M. B. Taylor 1958/68 W. R. S. Edgelow
• 1969/73 ft. S. Fairlam 1968/72 T. Halls
• 1973/77 ft. F. Thompson 1972/75 Major A. F. Brigden
• 1977 T. F. Mannion 1975 5. D. Whitley

Captains

• 1927/29 5. C. Marshall 1954/57 D. W. Parry
• 1930 5. V. Nisbet 1958 ft. U. Goodall
• 1931/32 D. S. Collis 1959/61 D. W. Parry
• 1933/35 ft. ft. Swatton 1962/64 T. Halls
• 1936 F. ft. Wilds 1965 R. U. Goodall
• 1937 B. H. Deane 1966 R. S. Goudge
• 1938 ft. S. Hollom 1967 B. W. Gorringe
• 1939 ft. ft. Swatton 1968/69 M. Brariton
• 1945 ft. L. Goodall 1970/71 ft. F. Thompson
• 1946/48 R. S. Hollom 1972 I. ft. Hunter
• 1949 P. Curchod 1973 ft. Lawrence
• 1950/53 F. V. Arrowsmjth 1974/75 M. S. Pearce
• 1976/77 5. M. G. Hendry

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