Our history

1873

A first item of considerable importance to rowing members – Best Burton Ale was 9d per gallon!

1874

With the firm establishment of the Rowing Club and the encouragement of the local press, a regatta was held on Bank Holiday Monday, 3rd August, over a 1-mile course on the River Ouse, finishing at the River Bridge. The committee members presented a programme including a dinghy race, gig fours, club pairs and fours, together with a ‘plank race’ and some comic events. The prizes, which included a fine inscribed pewter tankard, were displayed in a High Street shop. This first regatta was hailed as a great success by the public and press and was concluded by a dinner at the Half Moon Hotel attended by over 50 guests.

1875

The club contributed £2 towards cutting the weeds in the river, which seemed to be a problem to be overcome at that time. Another successful dinner was held at which it was announced that £40 had been subscribed to purchase a boat. A second regatta was organised with similar events but an added race for open sculls for the Innkeepers’ Cup was included, the entry fees being 2s 6d for this event and 1s Od for other classes. The events were umpired in a steam launch, whilst a balance sheet shows a regatta profit of £10 7s 4d, the income from admissions, subscriptions and entry fees being £49 14s 10d and the expenses for hire of boats, prizes, printing, police and labour amounting to £39 7s 6d.

1876

The organising committee for the regatta this year included four Cambridge University Blues, Rev. W. Maule, Rev. Richardson, Rev. N. Royds and C. D. Shafto. Although other regattas were being held at Ely and Huntingdon on the same day, the entries were very satisfactory and a large crowd attended.

1877

Records of the regatta for this year show a list of 25 patrons which include all the leading residents of St. Neots at that time, whilst the event was organised by the committee on behalf of the Rowing Club. Local entries, cost 10s Od for open events and 2s 6d and 5s Od for club events. A silver cup called the Ladies’ Cup was awarded as an annual challenge trophy for gig fours; this is still in use and known as the Town Challenge Cup for novice fours. Clubs competing in addition to St Neots during this period were Ely R.C., Huntingdon B.C., Bedford Argonaut R.C., Cambridge Town R.C., Lynn R.C and several Cambridge College clubs.

1878

A combined list of events and requests for subscriptions shows events in senior and junior sculls, junior pairs, with junior, senior and gig fours open to members of any recognised Amateur Rowing Club. The programme of 20 races and associated swimming and comic events lasted eight hours, which attracted comment from the press that this was too long and suggested a quicker programme.

1879

The storm and floods which occurred on the August Bank Holiday weekend, caused the postponement of the regatta until Tuesday, 12th August, but this caused a loss of entries and also attendance as the regatta meadow was still waterlogged. On the original regatta day, the tents were awash and some loss and damage to equipment was sustained, these difficulties causing a loss on the regatta of over £30, which imposed a further strain on the already strained finances of the club. However, the usual events were held, with some entries and successes by Cambridge and Bedford crews, but St Neots won the Ladies (now Town) Cup for gig fours for the second time.

1880

The local press advertised an ‘Entertainment’ to be held at the request of St Neots ‘Boat Club’ to raise funds to help the club. The programme consisted of a drama (‘The Chimney Corner’) and a farce (‘The Area Belle’) and tickets were for sale at 3s od, 2s Od and 1s od. After much discussion, a regatta was again held on August Bank Holiday Monday but again the site was flooded and planks and duck-boards were necessary, whilst only 300 people paid for admission, the event again resulting in a loss of £17. From a reduced entry for the usual list of events, St Neots crews again won the gig and senior fours.

1881

The regatta was held on Bank Holiday Monday, but although St Neots again won many of the events including the Ladies’ Cup for the third time, the meadow was again partly flooded and the press commented on the slow progress and lack of close races. The musical programme by the Windovers (Huntingdon) Band does not seem to have helped to overcome the problems!

1882

After a special public meeting to discuss the future of the regatta, in spite of a lack of interest by the general public it was decided to hold another event, which was held with the usual rowing events together with swimming, archery and again the Windovers Band. With unusual drier conditions, the event was reasonably successful but the small profit of £25 7s 10d had to be used to offset the deficit in the Rowing Club funds. The prizes cost £38, with entry fees and subscriptions producing £8 and £53 respectively.

1883

An advertisement for Clifton House School in St Neots offered instruction in rowing using its own boats, but this part of the offer was withdrawn when the club ceased activities in 1884. A decision was made at a meeting in April to discontinue the annual open regatta and instead to hold a club regatta in July or August. It is assumed that the annual regatta, which had been held since 1874 must, in spite of the undoubted dedicated work and perseverance of the stalwarts of the club at that time, have finally succumbed to the many adverse conditions which had to be overcome, coupled with the decline in membership and financial position of the club. The club regatta held in July seems to have been successful and it is recorded that the St Neots Drum and Fife Band provided musical entertainment.

1884

The virtual closing down of the club in 1884 destroyed any chance of the continuation of the regattas and between this year and 1906 there is very little information of rowing activities in St Neots except for some evidence of sustained interest by former members in the period. However, the revival of the club in 1903 and the increasing participation of club members in local events in 1906 led to the revival of the annual regatta in 1908 with a generous welcome by the press and residents. The event then continued successfully until the present time except for wartime years.

1903

Two news items from the St Neots Advertiser affected the interests of St Neots rowing members, the first that the Ouse was navigable and twenty barges of timber were delivered to Messrs Tebbutts at Navigation Wharfe, and also an item which undoubtedly concerned them after rowing-that Paines Local John Bull Ale was for sale at 10d per gallon, whilst gin and whisky was 3s Od to 3s 6d per bottle!

1906

There was no Bank Holiday regatta but Rowing Club supporters, led by F. Beeson as Secretary, assisted in the organisation of an Aquatic Fete at Eaton Socon at which the usual rowing events were held with St Neots oarsmen competing. Profits were contributed to Eaton Socon Reading Room, but the press hoped that the event would lead to a resumption of the annual regatta.

1908

A regatta was held on August Bank Holiday after a break since 1882 and in welcoming the proposed event, the St Neots Advertiser commented that ‘it was like old times’ and hoped it would be as successful as in days gone by. The events were for gents’ and ladies’ singles and doubles, with also mixed doubles together with an event for out rigged doubles, no doubt a forerunner of modern racing craft. The gate realised £60 and the day was concluded with a display of illuminated boats on the river.

1910

The prizes awarded for this regatta ranged from £3 to £1 5s 6d for doubles and singles, with entry fees of 1s Od or 6d each. For local gents’ doubles, a cup and gold medals were given, with silver medals for runners-up. The races were over a 1/4-mile course in boats provided by the committee, whilst the day was concluded by a Pierrot concert, dancing to Raunds Band and ‘Living Pictures’ from the Picturedrome, Bedford.

1911

Following the Coronation celebrations in June, the regatta was held and included the usual rowing events together with swimming, canoe races, diving and water polo, with a concert by the Batley Male Voice Choir in the evening. An organisation known as the St Neots Attractions Committee, which included many Rowing Club members, arranged this and many subsequent regattas and town events. With gate receipts of £40, the regatta made a profit of 7s 1d.

1912

There was some doubt about the regatta because of previous poor entries, but it was held successfully, with 35 entries from London clubs and Trent R.C. competing with local oarsmen. Mr C. Gill presented the prizes, including a new silver cup for ladies’ singles given by Mr E. Hayward.

1914

For this last regatta before the war, there was a large entry with ten fours including crews from Britannia R.C., Clapton Warwick, Mildmay, and Spartan R.C.; entry fees were 5s Od for fours, 2s Od pairs and 1s Od for scullers, and racing took place from 10.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m. The programme also included upset canoe races won by C. G. and H. Evans, tub races and tug-of-war in punts. The Raunds Prize Band and Entertainers were present, whilst a large crowd paid 6d each for admission and 6d extra for a new covered grandstand. The regatta was held on August Bank Holiday Monday and Mr Worledge, Secretary of the N.A.R.A., was present. It is recorded that two judges Messrs A. Jordan and H. Bishop, were called away to collect horses from local merchants and farmers for use in the war which was declared during this weekend. In September, a special Aquatic Sports in aid of War Funds was organised by Rowing Club members, who also competed and won some events

1915

At a meeting held in June with F. H. Fisher as Chairman, it was decided to discontinue the regatta until the cessation of hostilities.

1918

A special event known as the ‘Wounded Soldiers Regatta’ was held in July. It was organised by available Rowing Club members led by W. S. Wright and included single and double sculling with a special ‘Patients and Nurses’ double sculls event. Pleasure-type craft were loaned by local residents.

1919

Re-opening after World War I, it was decided to pay the debt owed to the club Syndicate of 1914. A special meeting was held in April at the Kings Head Hotel at which it was agreed to re-start the Annual Regatta. A further meeting in May elected a committee and officers. A complete report on this regatta is available from the St Neots Advertiser dated 8th August 1919; it points out that it was the first after the war and was a great success, with 55 races, before a packed grandstand and many pleasure boats on the river. The programme, in fine weather, lasted from noon to dusk on August Bank Holiday Monday and also included swimming, diving, pillow fights and decorated boats, with music by Raunds Silver Prize Band. The rowing events included boys’, ladies’, gents’ and veterans’ singles, gents’ pairs and doubles and open fours.

1920

The Regatta was becoming re-established, with 53 events including swimming, sideshows and punt tug-of-wars in addition to rowing events. The shield presented by E. Hayward was awarded for local sculls for the first time.

1921

At the end of the year the club had a cash balance in hand of £4 3s 10d. A programme (price 3d) shows 63 races in events similar to 1919, again with swimming etc., the Biggleswade Silver Band, and dancing in the evening. The Town Cup, Hayward Shield and the Leney (County) Cup were listed as challenge awards for pairs, sculls and junior fours. The admission fee to the Regatta was 1s Od up to 5.30 p.m. and 6d for the evening commencing at 6 p.m. which included the finals of rowing events and graceful diving.

1922

The expenditure in 1922 was £98 13s 7d and the balance in hand was £11 2s Id. It was reported in the St Neots Advertiser that owing to a large programme, the last race was held in the dark at 9.30 p.m.

1923

The club Annual Dinner was held at the Cross Keys Hotel- tickets 3s 6d each. A photograph of a display shows a fine total of 59 trophies and individual prizes won this year. The usual Bank Holiday Regatta was held and organisers includes many well-known business and private personages of that time.

1924

The club balance of cash in hand was 5s Od. A set of clubhouse rules was inaugurated.

1925

A friendly rowing meeting was held with Ely R.C. A levy of 1Os 6d was paid to the National A

mateur Rowing Association, but a request for £2 for an Olympic Fund was not agreed as the club was in debt. Mr F. H. Fisher collected for regatta funds from the numerous river craft, which always attended. He used a small single canoe with a collecting box on a long pole and raised valuable funds by this means for many years.

1926

A programme of racing events restricted to club members was held along the meadow from what were known as Bottom Boardings to Top Boardings; the bathing shed was used for changing and events were fours, pairs and handicap sculls.

1927

This-regatta was held in a daylong downpour of rain, 53 events being completed between 12.30 and 8.30 p.m.

1928

Mr E. Cousins, who had been Treasurer of the Regatta Committee for some years, was re-elected and reported a balance of £7 5s 7d. An event for open senior eight’s was inaugurated. It was reported that 2,000 persons paid 6d for admission.

1929

During this period, covered and open grandstands were provided for spectators, the sum of £34 8s Od being paid for admission to these and the Regatta Field in this year.

1930

In view of very small entries, a decision to continue the Regatta was only made after a long discussion. A balance of £2 18s 21/2d in regatta funds was reported.

1931

This year the engagement of a Silver Band was discontinued and replaced by a ‘Marconiphone Electric Orchestra’ with loud speakers provided by C. E. Moore and Company.

1933

The St Neots Advertiser reported that the Regatta was ‘full value for money’, with St Neots club winning five events including eight’s, senior fours and sculls.

1934

At an Annual Dinner, Mr C. G. Evans was presented with a chiming clock by G. Harvey. Mr Evans was referred to as ‘Father of St Neots Rowing Club’ and it was stated that he and his two sons were the mainstays of the club. Forty-four races took place, at this year’s regatta, with entries from London, Norwich and local clubs.

1935

The St Neots Quadruplets were born this year, an event that attracted nation-wide publicity. This would not normally become connected with a rowing club, but some St Neots club members will remember this as the quadruplets’ father, Walter Miles, was a friend of the club and regularly drove the large lorry hired from Messrs Rowlatt Brothers to transport club boats to regattas, in particular the eight to the London Tideway Head of River Race. Also, Michael, one of the quads, was coxswain to a very successful four in the early 195Os, and it was very interesting to observe the sudden interest taken by lady mayoresses when learning his identity whilst presenting prizes. A joint club and regatta committee dinner was held at the Bridge Hotel in October, whilst a public appeal by President Rev. South Phillips raised £84 for the purchase of boats. It was decided to continue to hold the Regatta on Bank Holiday Monday and also to specify best boats for the senior sculls. Twelve clubs from East Anglia and London competed at the Regatta. St Neots won six events although C. L. Evans lost in the senior sculls final to Horwood of London who was an English International. The programme included a diving exhibition and canoeing, and finished with a dance in the Public Rooms.

1938

The club was negotiating with the National Fitness Scheme for a grant of £35 towards the purchase of two clinker fours, which were obtained by the club using funds raised by the Ripples Dance Band. A programme of this year’s Regatta shows 9 events with 67 entries and 60 races taking place over 7 hours. The crews were identified by Red Flag-Bedfordshire side, and White Flag-Huntingdonshire side.

1939

At a meeting on 2nd October, it was agreed that the new skiffs and blades be packed away for the winter months on 16th October. At the Annual Meeting, the Regatta Committee had 10s Od in hand after lending £25 to the Rowing Club. A regatta dance was held in the Public Rooms with the Ripples Dance Band, admission 2s 6d.

1939 – 1945

World War II. The club was closed and the boats, oars and other equipment were left stored.

1940

This committee commenced arrangements for a regatta but it was not held. The next regatta was in 1946.

1946

Club re-opened after the war by a small number of pre-war members. It was discovered that some of the equipment stored away in 1939 had disappeared, including a large amount of timber which had been used every year to form a grandstand at regattas in the 193Os. St Neots was the only regatta to be held in the Midlands. It was under N.A.R.A. Rules and included decorated boats, a keep-fit display, comic events and a dance. The organisation of the Regatta was transferred to the Rowing Club. The profit this year was £58 4s 03/4d.

1947

It was decided to change the Annual Regatta from August Bank Holiday Monday to the preceding Saturday, which was successful as a large crowd attended. The club had a cash balance of £170 2s 5d in hand. A club flag was presented by Messrs H. and L. Evans.

1948

The club was asked to organise the Annual N.A.R.A. Championship Fours Regatta at St Neots. This was agreed and the St Neots Chamber of Commerce was asked to arrange supporting events in the town. This was the start of Carnival Week, which is still being held each year. The Annual Regatta was continued on the August Bank Holiday Saturday and was again successful, it being estimated that 1,184 people paid for admission, whilst a prize draw was held with a gents’ suit or ladies’ costume of value £15 as prizes. The N.A.R.A. Championship Regatta was held in September.

1949

A shell four was purchased from the Olympic Games Committee for £140. The boat was named ‘Carnival Queen’ by the St Neots Carnival Queen in a ceremony on the Market Square at Easter. At the Annual Dinner, the club President made a call for new members.

1950

During the Carnival Week the club organised a Comic Regatta and Water Events, whilst a large stand in the Trades Fair at the Carnival displayed a very impressive number of trophies won during the season. Members subscriptions this year produced £24 15s od.

1951

At the Annual Meeting it was announced that for the first time the club had an overdraft of £28 at the bank due to expenditure on boats and buildings. It was expected that this would soon be eliminated. The insurance of the club’s boats cost £161 5s od.

At the Annual General Meeting, special thanks were extended to Messrs Rowlatt Brothers and driver w. Miles for transporting the club boats to regattas etc. for many years. Mr and Mrs Dashwood were also thanked for their hospitality at the Bridge Hotel. According to a press report of the club’s Annual Dinner at the Bridge Hotel, Norman Moore replied to a toast to the club and Eric Davies toasted the visitors; this team of after-dinner speakers carried out this duty for many years.

1952

The Coronation Cup, the club’s most valuable regatta trophy, which was purchased by the Chamber of Commerce with public subscriptions, was presented to the club as a Challenge Cup for Senior Eight’s at the Annual Regatta. The overdraft was cleared and the club finished the year with a balance in hand of £36.

1953

The club co-operated with neighbours the Ouse Valley River Club to provide riverside decorations for the Coronation. For many years during this period, Mrs D. Yates was an ardent supporter of the club; she organised many successful draws and competitions for the club and regattas. This year there were 119 entries and a profit of £107 was made.

1954

The Annual N A.R.A. Championship Regatta was held at St Neots and again it was included in the St Neots Carnival Week. It was decided to purchase a new club flag; this was later donated by Mr H. T. Evans, Life Member. The N.A.R.A. Championship Regatta was held in September but difficulties were experienced due to the waterlogged state of the Regatta Field. This long-standing problem was still being met as the field was very low-lying and heavy rain or a rise in river level quickly caused many difficulties, particularly in access for vehicles on to the field as this form of transport for visitors developed.

1955

The club, with the Ouse Valley River Club, organised the first ever River Rally with decorated and illuminated processions on behalf of the Carnival Committee. The club entered an eight dressed to represent an ‘1865’ crew. Club members constructed a concrete landing stage at the finish end of the Regatta Field to facilitate launching of boats at regattas.

1956

The club entered the St Neots-Bedford Relay Race on Boxing Day and achieved their objective of gaining the wooden spoon for last place! A decorated ‘float’ took part in the Carnival procession. Again heavy rain and a flooded field caused difficulties and a loss of £5 on the Annual Regatta. Visitors were paddling on the field carrying their shoes and socks.

1957

Club members organised a balloon race at the Carnival. It was decided that members using the club for swimming should pay 2s Od per week. There were 125 entries with £100 profit, due to heatwave conditions in contrast to 1956.

1958

During Carnival Week an invitation eight’s race was arranged and the fireworks display was operated from the club site as part of an evening event on the Regatta Field. To overcome the difficulty caused by wet conditions, the club, with permission of the owners, commenced construction of an access road from the entrance gate to the centre of the field using rubble from local builders as it became available. This was carried on and extended over a few years and proved very valuable. The new road, constructed in 1973 when the Riverside Park was developed, made use of the rubble road as a foundation.

1959

In April the club held an Open Day when David Renton, Esq., M.P. for Huntingdonshire, and Mrs Renton gave the names of ‘Ouse Queen’ and ‘Priory Queen’ to two new clinker fours as part of a programme to publicise club activities.

1960

The club considered the possibility of purchasing the Regatta Field, which was to be put up for sale at £6,000. No decision was made and the field was later taken over by the Urban District Council. A discussion was held with the Ouse Valley River Club regarding the use of the river, particularly on Sundays. It was agreed that the Rowing Club should have priority on Sunday mornings and the River Club would have the afternoons, whilst contact would be maintained regarding regattas and special events.

1960

The club considered the possibility of purchasing the Regatta Field, which was to be put up for sale at £6,000. No decision was made and the field was later taken over by the Urban District Council. A discussion was held with the Ouse Valley River Club regarding the use of the river, particularly on Sundays. It was agreed that the Rowing Club should have priority on Sunday mornings and the River Club would have the afternoons, whilst contact would be maintained regarding regattas and special events.

1961

A party of club members made a trip to Lille, France, to compete in the Lille Regatta. A cup for annual presentation to retiring Captains was presented by G. Aughton, Esq.

1962

A Bedford 12-seater crew-bus was purchased from G. Aughton of Sandy for £300. Special thanks were recorded to Mrs Moore, Mrs Yates and other ladies for preparing refreshments for meetings and other events.

1963

A special club exhibit was made in the Trades Fair in Carnival Week by E. G. Davies and helpers. It displayed many trophies won and photographs of club members from 1922 to 1963. During a severe winter, the rivers at Cambridge and Bedford were frozen and the Cambridge University Boat Race crew and Bedford crews were welcomed to St Neots where the water was being kept free by heated water from Little Barford Power Station. It rained all day at the Annual Regatta, but 120 races were completed on time at 7.15p.m. A West German crew lost in the final of the junior fours.

1964

A presentation was made to Mr N. G. Moore on his retirement as Hon. Secretary and also Regatta Secretary after 16 years’ service. It was reported that a troublesome swan had disappeared but the R.S.P.C.A. had not taken any action!

1965

Members of the club made a second visit to Lille, France, and won a four’s event. This year was Centenary Year for the club; a Centenary Dinner and Dance was held, for which tickets were 25s Od each. This Regatta attracted a large entry with 200 crews and 183 races, which then created a record for a one-day regatta at St Neots. Crews from A.S.A. Douai and U.N. Lille (France) competed in fours events, whilst Messrs E. Flavigney and Dr Berthau, officials of these clubs, also acted as judges.

1966

The club again supported Carnival Week, entering a ‘push-ball’ competition and joining in the procession with a clinker four on an illuminated float. The Regatta this year was held on a waterlogged field, but this difficulty was offset by the fact that the rowing programme was supplemented by the opportunity to watch England win the Football World Cup on two television sets specially provided on the regatta site for the occasion.

1967

The presentation of a barometer was made as a wedding present to the Chairman, Mr E. G. Davies. This continued a club tradition of presenting a barometer to club members on their marriage; this arrangement is still being maintained. At the Annual General Meeting, appreciation was expressed of the hospitality of Mr F. Chapman and later Mrs Chapman in providing accommodation for club meetings at the Bridge Hotel for many years.

1968

Two club members, named by the local press as ‘Bubbles Adlam’ and ‘Gagga Hainsby’, gained third place in the pram race at the Carnival and the club held a challenge relay race with sculls, pairs and fours against Rob Roy B.C. which St Neots won by two lengths and claimed a prize of a pin of ale. The Captain, Tony Hainsby, was appointed to represent the club on a town ‘Welcome Committee’ for newcomers to St Neots under the London C.C. Overspill scheme. The Scouts and the Territorial Army assisted in regatta communications.

1969

At the members’ annual meeting, special mention was made of the, work of Mrs Ingle, Mrs Hainsby, Mrs Cave and other ladies in arranging refreshments for meetings and other events for many years. At a committee meeting, a momentous decision was recorded-to purchase a new broom!

1970

An old Dormobile van which had been used for transport to regattas for some years was scrapped and replaced by another van from the Eastern Electricity Board at a cost of £32 10s Od. In March, Albert Saywell, a leading club member, left with his family for Australia, his departure being marked by a challenge race and a farewell party. This year there were 193 entries with 172 races and a record profit for that time of £250 was made.

1971

Bingo was commenced in the Priory Hall. E. G. Davies was appointed to represent the club on the New Hall committee. The club van was sold for £25; it was to be replaced by a boat trailer. A Bonfire Night party was held; this had been an annual event for a few years. The Annual Dinner was held at the Cross Keys Hotel- tickets £1.25 each.

1973

Another visit to the Continent was arranged by N. G. Moore and Tony Hainsby who escorted two fours to Douai Regatta. Attempts were made to encourage Longsands and Ernulf Schools to form rowing sections, without much success. A. Saywell returned from Australia and rejoined the club. Work was commencing on the widening of the river in connection with the new Riverside Park and the Regatta had to be run from the Rowing Club and the east bank of the river with some difficulty. In an experiment designed to increase the entry in the Regatta by making it possible for Cambridge colleges and schools to take part, the event was held on Spring Bank Holiday Monday, 28th May, but the trial was not successful, only a medium entry being received with a loss of £25. Therefore, it was decided to revert to the usual date at the end of July or early August for 1974.

1974

A presentation was made to C. A. (Tony) Ingle to mark his 40 years’ membership of the club, during which he had been a very successful oarsman, and has continued as a prominent committee member. A successful junior crew presented Tony Hainsby with a watch to recognise his work as Coach. The Regatta was held on the new Riverside Park with improved drainage, access and landing stages, in addition to the much wider finishing stretch of the course. The entry again was not sufficient to ensure a satisfactory financial result in view of increasing expenses but the improved site and satisfaction of visiting crews gave a promise of improvements in the future. This year all events were held over a 1000 metre course and stake boats for starts were used for part of the day until they were moved by river traffic.

1975

The St Neots Riverside Park was opened in May and the club arranged a relay-rowing event, which was included in the Festival, which commemorated the event. The new Park includes the Regatta Field. The entry for the Regatta showed an improvement, which has continued to the record levels of the 1980s. Buoys were used on the bend to firmly indicate the course stations now to be strictly adhered to by crews under A.R.A. rules. The course section of the widened river at the finish was also outlined by buoys.

1976

The club suffered a sudden and intensive disaster when, on the night of 2nd January 1976, severe gales from the south-west completely demolished the exposed boathouse and completely destroyed the club’s fleet of boats with the exception of three sculling boats which, with the oars and sculls, were being housed in another building. In all, 15 boats were lost. Of these boats, one shell four was only three months old, whilst at the other extreme in age, the veteran shell four ‘Carnival Queen’, purchased in 1949, was reduced to splinters. The club Chairman, E. G. Davies, was elected President of the 1976 Carnival Committee as the event was associated with the recovery of the club and the new boat ‘Carnival Queen II’ was named on the Market Square by the 1976 and the original 1948 Carnival Queens. A special display of club trophies, together with others won during the season, was made in connection with a Carnival civic reception. It was agreed that 50% of the Carnival profits would be donated to the Rowing Club, but unfortunately very bad weather during the week reduced this to a final figure of £19.72.

Although the club was intensively involved in recovery from the Gale Disaster in January, a much more successful Regatta was held from the Riverside Park. A challenge race in eight’s was held between Cambridge and Oxford Fire Services as a special event, which was won by Cambridge.

1977

A reunion supper was held in the clubhouse to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the victory of a St Neots novice four at Boston Regatta in 1927. The crew, A. Emery, R. Bonham, A. Rawlings, G. Cole and cox G. Harvey, were all present, as also was Life Member C. L. (Laurie) Evans who was club Captain in 1927, together with other 1920 members. The club Chairman, E. G. Davies, welcomed the visitors who were presented with mementoes by Laurie Evans, and the 1927 crew toasted the club using the tankards they had won at Boston in 1927. This very enjoyable event, which was attended by 43 past and present members, was the first large function to be held in the new clubhouse and by a happy coincidence was held in HM The Queen’s Silver Jubilee Year. The club’s experienced bingo organisers again arranged a special session as part of Carnival Week, a service they have carried out for many years.

1978

This year saw the first use of video equipment in the training of oarsmen at St Neots when a session with Mr Hendriks, an A.R.A. coach, was organised on behalf of the Eastern Rowing Council by H. L. Warren of St Ives and E. G. Davies of St Neots. A mass naming ceremony was held in September when eight new boats were traditionally christened with ale by Life Member Laurie Evans, wives of club members and sponsors of the new craft. The boats were generally named as the number ‘II’ of previous named boats lost in the gale disaster, but to commemorate the successful recovery, one of the new sculling boats was aptly named ‘Ill Wind’. The first Sprint Regatta to be held at St Neots took place in April, taking the place of the Head of River, which had been held yearly since 1957. Whilst the Annual Regatta improved in popularity and was successful, the first Sprint Regatta was held this year to replace the former Head of River Race. It was held on Saturday, 22nd April, over a 500-metre course finishing at the Rowing Club and attracting 60 entries; it was acknowledged as a worthwhile venture.

1979

Whilst the club members continued to enjoy and support the excellent club amenities and events organised by the social committee, the highlight of the year was the record achievement of the elite four in reaching the final of the Britannia Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. The two regattas were held-Sprint on Bank Holiday Monday, 7th May, and the Annual on 28th July. Both had increased entries and were successful. Stake boats were again used at the starts, but difficulties were still being experienced with moorings.

1980

At the Annual Dinner-Dance, the President, Eric Davies, made a double presentation, firstly to Alan Page to acknowledge his work as Hon. Treasurer for seven years including the intensive activities involved in the recovery from disaster in 1976. The second award was to Richard Garrett, the retiring Captain, whose work during 1979 included the Henley and other rowing achievements totalling 48 event wins. The club was praised by the local press for bringing prestige to St Neots. This year the Annual and Sprint Regattas were combined to form a complete regatta weekend, which proved to be very successful. The first two-day Weekend Annual and Sprint Regattas event was held this year with the object of reducing overall costs for the two events by the extended use of tents, communications etc. without doubling costs, and although the level of entries was not very high and the event showed a loss, the successful operation of the rowing programme encouraged the club to continue with the new project.

1981

The annual Club Races provided added interest this year as Mr Reg Thompson presented the Winifred Thompson Challenge Cup for award to the most successful junior oarsman in the Club Races. The first winner was Terry Lee. Club members again supported the Carnival by competing with the St Neots Rugby Club in a comic football match. The local press printed an interesting article and photographs of the club members taken in 1981 and in 1922. Mr G. A. Davies celebrated his 1OOth birthday in 1980 and received congratulations from present club members.

The two-day Regatta was continued with increasing entries. The use of stake boats for starts was firmly established and for this and following years these were manned on both days by the lst Eynesbury Scout Group. Valuable assistance was provided in administrative matters by members of St Neots Round Table.

1982

This was Centenary Year for the Amateur Rowing Association and the club President, Eric Davies, was one of 40 persons in the country who were awarded a Centenary Medal in recognition of their services to rowing. Special reference was made at the Annual Meeting to the continuing special efforts made by A. W. Page, H. Roberts and A. J. Hainsby in running the bingo sessions for the club, which are now being held in the new Priory Centre. 1982 -1983

During these years the success of the two-day event continued to increase, with the programme for the Sprint Regatta in 1983 becoming an all-time record for a one-day event with 265 races scheduled at every 2 or 3 minutes from 9.30 a.m. to 6.20 p.m. In spite of a very hectic time for the small club organising committee with umpires and other official helpers from neighbouring clubs, the event was completed more or less on the scheduled time. The official A.R.A. regatta records show that only the Stourport Sprint Regatta a little later in August had a slightly larger entry.

In 1983, the Hunyani Rowing Club of Harare, Zimbabwe, were made welcome at the St Neots club and took part in events on both days, winning events in senior C fours.

1983

At the Club Races, the Vaal Cup for the most promising junior member was awarded to Miss V. Farrer, believed to be the first award of this trophy to a lady member. The social committee continued to be very active and special mention was made of a very enjoyable dinner-dance held in the Priory Centre.

1984

An inscribed tankard was presented to Rodney Todman in recognition of his service to the club for many years in transporting the boats safely to and from regattas and other events. The Jill Cup was awarded to Michael Clare who, supported by his wife Pauline, very efficiently managed the club bar and the maintenance of the clubroom during the year. At the end of the year, the social committee again organised special Christmas parties for members in the appropriately decorated clubroom; these are annual events and are always successful, particularly the party for members’ children, and this year 35 children were entertained by the hard working committee. The two-day Regatta again attracted a large entry and the administration of Colin Thompson and Chris Leaf with the support of other club members ensured a successful weekend. The usual efficient organisation of the bar and general refreshments by members of the bar and social committees with helpers was rewarded by much appreciation from the visitors, and very satisfactory profits.

1985

In May, Chris Leaf and the social committee organised a ‘Nostalgia Evening’ and a number of former club members who accepted invitations enjoyed watching films and looking at photographs of the earlier days of the club. At the October members’ meeting, Chris Leaf was awarded the Jill Cup as Clubman of the Year, which acknowledged his work in all aspects of the club organisation. As this history of regattas at St Neots is completed, the details of this year’s event become available and these provide a fitting climax as the number of classes and entries for both the Annual and Sprint events represents an all- time record with 50 and 59 clubs making 219 and 327 entries on the Saturday and Sunday respectively. This large entry confirmed the popularity of the St Neots events and the small club organising committee with many local and visiting helpers succeeded in completing the extensive programme of races in spite of adverse weather conditions which caused many difficulties.

History is taken from the book The History of St Neots Rowing Club and only depicts events up to 1985.