Barbara Agnew – Page 25 – Queensferry Rowing Club

ON THIS DAY – Episode 9

Continuing the as-it-happened story of how our club was born, ten years ago.

Mike McD writes: We got the key for the vacant unit next to Scotmid (now divided into the vet’s and Barnardo’s charity shop) on 31 August, with just time to organise an inspection and clear up, because on 3 September, the kit arrived (see picture).

The project team had held their 4th meeting in mid August when it was reported that further donations – £200 from Seakist Antiques, and £100 each from John Howell and ‘Ferrie Scarie’, the ghost walk – had brought our total to £720 – sufficient to pay the final installment to Alec Jordan.

So things were really starting to move. We agreed on the need for more publicity – an official hand-over of the premises to start with, and a whole list of possible fundraising activities. We were lucky – with Agilent leaving Queensferry, we obtained a large number of tables and chairs, as well as a metal workbench (Yes, the one in the shed!).

Not to forget the rowing, we had been invited to enter a mixed team for the Traditional Boat Festival at North Queensferry on 11 September.

Our Virtual RowAround

Club vice-captain Dónal writes: Click below for Legs 11 and 12 of the Virtual RowAround:

Dalgety Bay to South Queensferry – Section 11 | Day 8

South Queensferry to Granton – Section 11 | Day 9

I’d like to thank Mike McDowall for his pieces on rowing in Queensferry and Port Edgar, a History; Peter Locke for his piece about Rowing in the Shadow of the Bridges and part of the history of our Club; Anne Flannery for her passage plan from Port Edgar to Granton; and all those that contributed answers to the questions posed, even if some were not used. The blog would not have been possible without your assistance and for that myself and Anne are eternally grateful.

Latest return to rowing update

Club captain Anne P writes: I’m pleased to let you know that the RTR subgroup have written a procedure for the safe resumption of boat maintenance, which has been endorsed by the Committee. This is now with the Technical subgroup and hopefully work on Ferry Maid will start soon.

The subgroup is now working on procedures for the resumption of rowing,
This is still a fast moving situation . We are seeking clarification on a few points from the SCRA, and in touch with other clubs to share experience, which will help us to get back on the water. All going in the right direction!

In the meantime, it would be worth everyone who intends to row to look at the Covid-19 module on the SCRA website. Although not specifically aimed at rowing, it has lots of good information and will give you an idea of what’s ahead.

Let’s hope we get an Indian summer!

Barbara here. Don’t forget the club EGM tonight, online at 7:30am. Check your email for the link.

Return to rowing update

Club captain Anne P writes: No doubt you’ve seen the slightly unexpected, but welcome news that rowing can resume!

The RTR Subgroup met yesterday and the Shed is nearly ready for a return to boat maintenance in the first instance, and soon a return to rowing for those who want to do so.

Rowing will, unfortunately, feel very different to before, with the social element that we all enjoy absent – no bacon rolls or coffee in the Shed yet. However, we will be back on the water and that is great news!

The Return to Rowing Group and Committee are busy working out how to implement the SCRA advice on the return to rowing and to get new procedures out to you all. It may be a little while yet, but please be patient with us. We’ve spoken with a number of other clubs to share approaches and we are all working hard to make this work!

As usual, we will be relying on the goodwill of our skippers to enable boats to go out, and our coxes to make sure our skippers also get to row! However, no one, skippers, coxes or rowers, should feel any pressure to do anything you are not comfortable with.

Most of all, we will be relying on every member who goes out to follow all the rules and guidance we put in place. We may have to adjust them as we go along, and if you any feedback, it will be welcome. Please remember that there are a group of people working extremely hard behind the scenes on this (with all the other demands they have on their time), and that it is not an easy task – be honest, but kind in your comments!

A reminder of happy rows past and those still to come -a cheery crew tackled Loch Lomond in September last year. Photo by Douglas Carse

Baby Lass going to Zambia

Peter writes: A friend asked me if I knew of any second hand boats as he had a neighbour, Pota Kalima, who is a bacteriologist originally from Zambia and working in Edinburgh. Pota is working on a project to build a new clinic in a remote part of the country. Any patient who requires more than basic treatment has to be taken to the nearest hospital by dugout canoe.

The canoe being used at present. Picture courtesy of Pota Kalima

I mentioned Baby Lass, thinking it would be too small, but Pota is delighted with it and is researching a suitable outboard motor for it. He should be taking it away in the next few weeks.

A rare image of Baby Lass in action: Mike McD is placing a dummy for the crew to use for their Man Overboard drill. Photo by Louise Innes

Thanks to Stuart Ridge, who donated the wee boat to the Club. It was originally owned by Stewart Hutchison, who lives on Dundas Estate. I hope you will all agree that this is a good way to see Baby Lass off, as its future was uncertain. Thanks too, to the Committee who approved the plan.

Clicking on this link gives some information, but the ‘Just Giving’ page is inactive. Pota is working on a Facebook page which will take donations, so when I have that I will share it with you.

Update from Peter: Baby Lass started her journey to Zambia on 4 September. I met with Dr Pota Kalima, his wife Maria also Dr Kalima, Stuart Ridge, Mike McDowall and Neil McKinley of the Rotary who had put Pota in touch with us. In between heavy rain showers Mike took some ‘happy snaps’ then we wheeled the wee boat along to the car park to await the courier. She is being taken to Portsmouth then loaded with other goods and equipment for Pota’s Clinic Project onto a shipping container for Africa. Pota will keep us informed. Thanks to Mike for refurbishing the oars.