Author: Barbara Agnew

Marianne writes: No doubt you will have heard the latest news by now.  Obviously it means still no rowing for us, well into January at least.   More importantly, some of you will no doubt have Christmas plans in some disarray. 
I know it’s not the same, but your rowing club family are still here, and Val has very kindly put two dates in the Zoom virtual Shed diary for get-togethers (see below).  One on Boxing Day, another a Hogmanay Coorie In.  Thanks, Val!

Please come and let’s join together to raise a glass (morning drinking on Boxing Day is definitely acceptable!), tell stories of our glory days and remember that good times on the water will come to us again.  Until then, the QRC rowing family are all here for you and for each other.

Val adds: Great suggestion on the virtual shed yesterday morning (yes they’re still running!) from John for a couple of special wee sessions over the holiday period to come together with season’s greetings and usher in 2021.

Boxing Day, Saturday 26th December – running at the usual Saturday social time of 10am, but perhaps will linger on a little longer than normal probably until noon for anyone struggling to get their heads off the pillow!

New Years Eve, Thursday 31st December – 16:45 to 18:30, timed to hopefully avoid clashes with daylight pursuits or online festivities (or just going to bed!) later on – perfect start to the evening with a wee winter warmer and a few nibbles perhaps.

Maria writes: In response to recent requests about availability of the monkey fist items I am delighted to off a colourful brochure.
With grateful thanks to Tansy for taking the pictures and compiling the brochure, I invite you all to have a look and consider ordering these ever popular “stocking fillers” … keyrings, zipper-pulls, mini doorstops and earrings.

We are now £425 away from our £5000 target, when we really will be retiring our “Nifty Knotting Fingers”. As those of you who attended the AGM know there is huge interest in spending this money, and I would like to invite you all again to come up with serious suggestions!

Replies and orders to me please at mariavandalen@btinternet.com
Payment and order details are printed on the brochure. Please check and confirm order details with myself before making any payments!

Many thanks on behalf of all the Nifty Knotters: Anne P, Tansy, Liz, Frances, Donna W and Maria.

Click here to view or download the Monkey Fist brochure.

Marianne writes: With the depressing inevitability of an unloved season, I’m afraid the First Minister has once again announced that Edinburgh is to remain in Level 3.  No rowing for a while yet.   

Meanwhile, keep up whatever activity you can.  If you’re out and about walking or cycling, there are some interesting winter visitors from northern European around – redwings, fieldfares, and the stunning waxwing.  One of the benefits of our part of the world is that these visitors fly up the Forth, island hopping before dispersing.  The images below are from the RSPB.

Mike McD writes: The very first organised fund-raising event for Scottish Coastal Rowing Project – Queensferry (SCRP-Q) was ‘Music to Rock your Boat’, held on 12 November. Organised with the help of Queensferry Boat Club we had the Q-Beats: Brian White, Joan Umpherston, Calum and Janet Finlayson and special guest Pete Colinson. Not sure if Pete had written his song by then, since it includes the line “and Ferry Lass is her name“, but we all enjoyed a good evening of music and cheer.

Continuing his series marking the tenth anniversary of QRC, club historian Mike McD writes: Bit of a catch-up, I’m afraid!

On this day – 24th October, SCRP-Q played host to the 2nd AGM held by the SCRA, in our premises at Units 4&5 the Loan. It is therefore opportune that our own Anne Purcell should be elected this year on to the committee.

November 2010 was quite a busy month – on the 1st a big article (see below) was written up in the Sunday Herald about Coastal Rowing featuring a picture of work in progress on Ferry Lass. On the 9th we held our 8th committee meeting to discuss a whole range of issues from a Saturday rota to welcome visitors, flyers, the logo, the colour and name for the boat, Ceilidh on launch night and our first regatta with the RNLI in June. To say nothing of the up-coming ‘Music to Rock your Boat’ and the famous Conker Competition!

Watch this space!