Yes, spring has sprung, the clocks have gone forward, and it’s time once again for evening rowing on Tuesdays and Thursdays – tides and weather permitting, as ever.
This week we shall have rowing from 18:00 until 19:00 this evening, the 9th (only one hour because of the tides), and on Thursday the 11th from 18:00 to 20:00. Both sessions will be on a turn-up-and-row basis. The more the merrier! We have two skippers available for each evening, so we could possibly get both boats out.
You know you want to! Photo by Eleni
On Saturday the 13th, we shall have a bookable row in Ferry Maid from 09:00 and turn up and row rowing in Ferry Lass from 09:00 till 10:00 (tides restrict the end time). On Sunday the 14th, both boats will be away at North Berwick to take part in a row in company around the Bass Rock, so there will be no social rowing session.
Happy New Year everyone! With the Lass off the water for her makeover, it was just the Maid who attended this year’s Dook – along with St Margaret’s Hope and Ferry Sonnet from North Queensferry. It was a special row for one club member, George, who was celebrating his 85th birthday. Many happy returns George!
George in the bow
Also at the Dook was Richard, paddling his kayak. A couple of onlookers on shore were overheard musing about why the kayaker was shadowing the skiffs. “He must be the rescue boat,” the chap said. “Oh yes, gosh that’s good of him, isn’t it!” Well done Richard – we’re sure you’d have managed to pack all six crew into your kayak in the event of a capsize!
Plenty of room… Photo by Richard
On shore, braving the Dook, was Lorna.
That’s Lorna next to the meep-meep manGood weather made for a big crowdPhoto by Cheryl
After the Dook, the Maid visited the old harbour to wave to Sheena and Ranald.
Lorna writes: Attendance was lower at this year’s Freshwater Sprints than normal from most clubs, mainly due to the yellow weather warning across parts of east of Scotland, and various road works on the A9. However, this didn’t deter the ‘three amigos’ from Queensferry Rowing Club, determined to participate in some rowing despite the weather 😊
The Three Amigos: Lorna, Richard and Elina
Richard and Elina travelled together and competed in four races each, whilst I competed in three, taking up the offer of a lift from Barbara, who braved the weather to take some fab photos.
Our region was the South East and we were using one of North Berwick’s skiffs. The boat which was used for the Rest of the World was Spirit of Catterline. None of us had rowed in these boats before so we had mixed views on foot rests and oars etc. Interestingly enough, Catterline had their stroke oar on the port side which was the first time I had experienced this set up. We all agreed after our experiences that we appreciated our beautiful skiffs, Ferry Maid and Ferry Lass in which we feel much more comfortable and easier to handle. I should add that it is always a good experience to race in other boats, and with members from other clubs if you get the opportunity.
I am sure you are all desperate to know how we got on… unfortunately no medals, but each race was very close, competing in six lanes, including a starboard turn. Richard placed 2nd in the Men’s Open, 3rd in the Mixed Novice and 6th in the second of the long distance races (around 2km). Elina placed 4th in Rest of the World Novice and was alongside myself, a lady from North Berwick and Exmouth (cox was from Port Seton) for the Women’s 2nd Sprint where we also finished 4th. She also rowed in the Women’s Open placing 4th. All three of us rowed together for the 40+ Mixed, with a lovely gentleman from Orkney stepping in to help us in bow position, and our cox was from Port Seton. I thought this was lovely as I had never rowed with, or even met Elina until earlier that day. We were all enjoying the rowing so like the other two I competed in one race for the Rest of the World, in which I came 4th, coxed by our Orkney man, crewed by two from Loch Awe and Cromarty.
Some of the action at Loch Tummel, with North West region showing winning form
The weather was mixed during the day, with some misty rain and occasional heavy showers and very muddy on foot. It cleared up a little at lunchtime which was nice, and couldn’t help but take in the spectacular views with gorgeous autumnal colours. The racing started on time at 10am after the coxes briefing and very quickly the timings were up to half an hour to an hour, ahead of schedule. The aim was to stop for lunch but as the weather wasn’t the best, the racing continued on through, finishing around 3.15pm. At least it wasn’t cold and windy, and we sheltered in the clubhouse for copious amounts of lovely food and refreshments from the club canteen.
Lorna and Elina set out on a race
The medal ceremony took place around 3.30pm in which the North West Region won the overall trophy/shield. The medals were on lovely red ribbons and were made out of wood in the shape of a skiff (apologies no photos ☹). The SCRA AGM started earlier than usual at around 4.30pm and finished around 5.15pm. Barbara and I attended on behalf of QRC as there were no members of the current Committee in attendance and they needed to have a certain amount of attendees for a quorum. I’ve shared a very brief report of this via the club email group, but the official report will be on the SCRA website and Facebook page in due course.
On behalf of Richard and Elina, I would like to say that we had a lovely day and enjoyed all our rowing, despite being a little damp by the end of it. Elina is going to send a message of thanks to North Berwick through email/social media for use of their boat. I hope this gives you a little idea of how the day went. Thank you, see you at next year’s sprints. 😊
Apologies for any formatting glitches – I’m posting this from my phone.
Following is the agenda for the upcoming AGM, plus nominations for officers and committee members, plus a proposed amendment to the constitution.
Queensferry Rowing Club AGM 11th October 2023 7.30pm, Port Edgar Boat Station
Agenda
1. Apologies
2. Approval of 2022 Minutes
3. Matters Arising
4. Captain’s Report
5. Treasurer’s Report
6. Sub-group reports
7. Election of Office Bearers and Committee Members
Nominations Captain: Peter Locke. Proposer John McKean, seconder Mike Breewood
Vice Captain:
Treasurer: Anne Purcell. Proposer Marianne Sandison, seconder Donna Martin.
Secretary: David James. Propser Paul D Dourley, seconder Cherry Kelsey.
Ordinary Members: Beth Curtin – proposer Maria Van Dalen, seconder Marianne Sandison. John Howell – proposer Douglas Carse, seconder Alan Sutherland. Alan Sutherland – proposer Suzanne S, seconder Douglas Carse. Suzanne S – proposer Peter Locke, seconder Alan S. John McKean – proposer Alan S, seconder Alistair. Anthony Bacon – proposer Alistair, seconder George. Michelle – proposer Peter L, seconder Susanne S
8. Proposed Changes to the constitution
Proposed by Mike McD, Seconded by Peter Locke.
a. Clause 4.2 Management – All office bearers and committee members shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for re-election, with the exception of the offices of Captain and Vice Captain, which may be held by a member for a maximum of two consecutive years, after which they cannot stand for re-election for a period of two years. – Proposal to delete all after ‘with the exception of…’ (as shown in italics). b. Clause 5.1 General Meetings – Proposal to increase the quorum for a general meeting from twelve to twenty members
Club vice captain Mike B writes: After a thrilling day on Sunday with the Alan Meldrum Community Challenge, we are now moving into our winter rowing season. The equinox means that our evening social rowing is now finished for this year, and we must anticipate the joys of Spring next year when it will restart.
In the meantime, we shall have social rowing on Saturdays and Sundays over the winter season. As usual, Yalo and Michelle will continue their excellent work of letting everyone know when the social rowing times will be each week.
Finally, the cessation of evening rowing for the year heralds in the AGM, this year taking place IN PERSON at the Port Edgar Boat Station at 19:30 on the 11th of October. That will be your chance to meet up with fellow members and chat about medals won, medals just missed and medals robbed from you in the course of the Summer regatta season! It’s also, of course, the time when a new Committee and set of Club Officers are elected for the year ahead – sadly I am unable this year to stand for any position, however I would urge all members to consider standing – it is a very rewarding way to serve the Club! There is a sign-up sheet in the Shed, or you can just let our current Secretary, Steph Durning , know on secretary@queensferryrowing.org
