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Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Ross Rowing Club Members commemorate our late Sovereign
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It was with inexpressible sadness that we learned of the death of Her Majesty The Queen on the evening of Thursday 8th September 2022, just as a number of RRC members were taking to the water.
At the club, across Ross, the nation and the world, wherever Ross rowers, past and present, heard the news, individual acts of respect and commemoration were observed.
We join the nation in sending our sympathy to King Charles and the rest of the Royal Family, and echo his words of commemoration, “May angels sing thee to thy rest”.
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Above, Ross rower Bob King shows Her Majesty and the Duke of Edinburgh along Corporation Street, Manchester and describes how they were dealing with the consequences of the building damage caused by an IRA bomb in June 1996.
Bob remembers, “I met Her Majesty four times in my career. Three were formal but this was different. At the time it was a pretty heavy duty building site but Her Majesty was not for wearing a hard hat. So we had to de-classify the site for her visit and we were all in mufti to match.”
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Chris Crowhurst, remembers “I saw Her Majesty when she visited Hong Kong in 1975. All I can remember is how beautiful her smile was and how incredibly proud I felt that she was our queen”.
The image of The Queen in a pink dress visiting a Hong Kong market was a media sensation of its age and shared across the world.
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RRC Club Members Graham Watling, Ian Hale, Anthony Snell, Tim Ball, Pam Ball and Jeremy Picton-Turbervill represented the County of Herefordshire along with some Hereford RC members as crew of the ‘Hereford Bull’ trow in the 2012 Jubilee River Pageant, and met The Queen & Duke of Edinburgh during their visit to Hereford a few months later. Some of this crew are attending a handover of the Trow to the National Trust at Brockhampton next week.
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“I have had the pleasure in meeting Her Majesty on numerous occasions” says Ladies Captain Pam Ball.
“One occasion was a visit to my place of work which included refreshments followed by dinner. I met the royal protection team prior to her arrival to ensure everything was in place including her favourite drink, which was Dubonnet at the time. One of the team wanted to check the ice bucket, and commented “Her Majesty prefers her ice cubes oval in shape”. My face must have been a picture, he was joking of course! “
“A VIP suite was prepared where Her Majesty could change. We even bought a new seat for the royal bottom. After the visit the seat was mounted in a glass frame labelled the Royal throne – what they don’t know is a lot of us nipped in after the visit and sat on it too !!!!“
“That evening I served the mange-tout and can confirm they didn’t end up in the the royal lap!”
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Another Ladies Captain, Olivia Baynham-Williams, as a young girl, presented flowers to Her Majesty when she visited Gorsley Goffs Primary School – Liv is the one with the bow in the first picture.
In the second photo, she and fellow former RRC juniors, Jess Crossman and Charlotte Westley are flying the flag!
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Several members have had the honour of meeting or at least being in the same garden as Her Majesty at a Buckingham Palace Garden Party
Pictured is your own Newsletter Editor, Sally Pettipher along with her husband, former RRC Chairman, Jim Pettipher in front of Buckingham Palace having been to a garden party in 2004 in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen.
Others include one of our oldest rowing members, John Price, and his wife, Iris, who went to a Buckingham Palace Garden Party on July 8th 2008 and saw the Queen. “A day to remember” says John.
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The Queen’s Green Canopy
Devised to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 The Queen’s Green Canopy is an initiative to create a network of trees, hedges, and woodlands across the UK in honour of the Queen’s service.
Ross Regatta Secretary, Elisabeth Angier (known to her fellow rowers as “Buffy”), led the sourcing and planting of 420 saplings which were planted in the spring by willing volunteers from the club, creating a rich, biodiverse wildlife hedge on Ross Rowing Club’s water meadows.
The idea to develop a sustainable environment and improve biodiversity was raised by the Junior Squad members in 2019. The Junior Squad were passionate about developing a sustainable future, improving the environment for the club and the wider Ross community, and offsetting their carbon footprint.
Buffy reports that a further phase of planting will happen later this year and will commemorate Her Majesty with a legacy that will outlive us all, for the benefit of future generations.
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From the era of the Queens birth, we see how much has changed to our river and town over her reign.
We thought the river was shallow this year, but look at it here. In these times you would not have been able to finish the regatta at the club, so it is helpful that over the years the river has shifted to allow this.
The town is very recognisable, with its landmarks of St Mary’s and The Royal, and the houses and cottages spilling down the hill.
Stability and evolution, a metaphor for The Queen’s 70 year reign.
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SUNDAY 18th and MONDAY 19th SEPTEMBER
Rowers, next Sunday, please wear black as a mark of respect.
Monday 19th there will be NO ROWING.
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Juniors:
Tom Clatworthy narrowly lost the semi final of the J18 1x in an exciting race.
Dom Gabb raced his first singles race rowing up an age category in J18 and did an excellent job, staying with his opposition until the very end.
Niamh Gabb faced tough competition in the W 1x against her opposition, who rowed for Wales.
Faith Thorpe-Williams, Fliss Cox, Lily McLean and Gracie Jones won the WJ16 4x against Stourport, which was Gracie and Lily’s first official pot! The dunking was postponed on this occasion.
Jacob Fitzpatrick and Milo Russell were competing in the J15 2x semi-final and were leading by four lengths when Milo’s blade snapped! The boys had to be rescued by the safety boat. Both juniors were absolutely gutted as they felt they had a good chance of winning. They were rowing up at U15s too. A real shame.
Seniors:
Congrats to Greg, Alice, Georgie & Alex who beat Burton Leander to win the Mixed 4s event.
Pam Ball’s quad also won – great work crew!
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World Rowing Masters
Liborne, France
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Sheron Dean-Lucas has won gold at the World Masters Regatta, coxing the Mens F Crew from Monmouth. Well done Sheron we are all very proud of you.
Earlier in the week Sheron had her boat checked by none other than four-time Olympic Gold medallist, Sir Matthew Pinsent
Geraldine’s partner Lenny also won in his double for Monmouth.
Eights today and results will be shared next week.
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MEN’S CAPTAIN
From Matt:
“I have decided to step down as Men’s Captain. My captaincy has lasted for two years, during the first year I was able to support in the expanding the fleet, actively buying and selling boats as well as organising the ‘Clubs of the Wye’ competitions to provide members with an opportunity to race during Covid.
This year has been challenging with renovating our house and getting married and I haven’t always been able to devote the required time to the club.
I will be stepping down at the AGM. If any wants to step up prior to then please let me know, I will be happy to support a handover between now and then“
From Club Members:
- Thank you for your encouragement and help with everything I’ve wanted to do during your time in charge. its been appreciated!
- Thanks for all your hard work, especially the monthly club outing. Good luck with everything, …and that double
- You’ll be much missed Matt
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Monmouth Autumn Head Sun 25th Sept
Monmouth Rowing Club’s Autumn Head. A perfect way to start your head season with 2,250m downstream on the River Wye. The Head is being run under the Points Ranking Index (PRI). Individual events may be banded dependent on entries and such banding will be made apparent in the Draw. Ranking points will be awarded across each Category regardless of Division. Masters Handicaps will be applied. Pennants will be awarded for Fastest Crews, Medals for will be awarded in ALL events where TWO or more boats start.
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- Barbecue and Bar – will be open this Friday evening for the last time. Thereafter we move indoors.
- ☠️ Skulls on the Wye – Fri Oct 28
Save the date people, Hallowe’en party on Friday Oct 28 – fancy dress contest, live music, special drinks and a beer just for us, all to raise money for the club. Details to follow…
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♂️ Mixed Ability Rowing meeting POSTPONED so not on Sept 9th – check back here for new date.
- Ladies Meeting Thursday 22nd Sept, 7.30pm in the Bar to plan for Eights rowing over winter
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Credit – TMRW weather app
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In this week of reflection and national mourning, Ross Rowing Club wishes you and those you love, peace and tranquility 🤍
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