Club captain Marianne writes: We have our North-South race crew, Ade (stroke), Cheryl, Taciana, Gabe, and skipper Louise. The race starts from the North at 11:00. We hope you’ll come down and cheer them on! The finish line is near the old harbour, although you can get a good view at Port Edgar too.
Last year’s winning crew
Pot Luck BBQ
We are hosting North Queensferry with a barbeque starting at 12:00. As ever, we’d appreciate your help with catering by bringing a pot luck dish to share with everyone. We know that Alistair is bringing his world famous soup!
Andy’s Race Sprints
Our fun club sprints will start at 12:30 and run until 15:30. This is a new event, that sees QRC and NQ members in mixed ‘Andy’s Race’ style crews. Mike and Anne P have been working incredibly hard on putting arrangements in place, and race crews together.
Huge thanks to them, and to everyone from QRC and NQ who has signed up. There are still spaces, so please let et Anne P know if you can join in (apurcellb@hotmail.com).
John Howell will once again be skippering the Committee boat, Faithful, aided by Douglas and with QRC photographer Scott on board. Best smiles everyone! Anne F and Sharon will be in the timing tent, and others are helping with the jobs that need done for an event to run smoothly.
Club vice-captain Mike B writes: As the evenings draw in, and the leaves turn to gold, thoughts turn to our AGM and the election of a new Committee for the year ahead.
There are a number of cut-off dates before the AGM itself is held, for nominations to the Committee and for submission of items to be discussed at the AGM itself, so please do read the Calling Notice carefully.
If you have any queries relating to the Calling Notice, please feel free to contact me directly on mikebreewood@gmail.com.
There’s a sheet up in the shed for nominations for officers and committee members.
Club captain Marianne adds: Do think about joining our Committee. The club cannot run without the time and effort that the Committee, and others, devotes to the club. With that said, thanks to Alan S, Louise, Douglas, Beth, Scott, Anne, John, Lesley and, of course Mike B, for all your help and support over the past year.
Events – lots to look forward to!
North South race/Andy’s Race Day, Saturday 08 October
Sign-up sheet is in the shed for this exciting day we’re planning! Also, Anne F is looking for help with the race timing operation.
Last year’s North v South trophy winners
Tweed Row, Sunday 09 October
This is a five mile row from Berwick to Paxton House and back. There is the opportunity to change crews at Paxton House, where the traditional picnic takes place.
The fleet arrives at Paxton House, 28 Sept, 2019. Photo by Douglas Carse
Freshwater Sprints, Saturday 29 October
This is the last event of the season where we take part in sprint races not as a club, but as part of South East region. It takes place on beautiful Loch Tummel, with Schiehallion looking down on proceedings. It’s a great social occasion and I’d recommend you think about taking part. Anne P will be co-ordinating the south east team.
Freshwater Sprints, 26 Oct 2019. Photo by Barbara Agnew
Sign-up sheets are up in the Shed for all these events.
Oars – testing, testing
We’re looking at replacing oars (though the current sets of oars will still be available to use). As part of working out our requirements, we’ve borrowed a similar set from our friends at NQ. We want you to give them a try and note your thoughts on sheets provided on the noticeboard. Thanks to everyone involved, particularly Douglas, Alan D and Louise.
And finally…
Mark and Douglas will be taking Ferry Maid off the water for an extended period of maintenance. This includes painting, which needs to be done before the colder weather sets in. Rachel has organised for seats to get some much-needed tlc, which we’re very grateful for.
A quick reminder that while club kit is selling in our online store, we still have some “old” kit on hand – and it’s being sold at a good discount. A limited range of sizes is available.
Sweatshirt: £11.20
Hoodies: £12.48
Zoodies: £13.20
Polos unisex: £12.24
Polos ladies: £12.24
T-shirts: £8.64
Keith is organising this, so email him directly to find out what’s still available.
The Superlogo store offers a wider range of kit, including fleeces, waterproof jackets and bags. Some clothing is only available in unisex sizes, but we have been able to offer women’s-fit hoodies, and some items in youth sizes for our smaller rowers.
The shop is an experiment initially. Prices are more expensive, but this is in the context of a very affordable membership fee. You can order directly, so we do away with the need for someone to manage orders and also avoid club funds being tied up in kit. The Club doesn’t receive any income from kit sales.
Club captain Marianne writes: The Marina have been in touch to let me know that the waterfront area from our Shed past Haggis Homes to Coast to Coast Rigging is going to be used for filming from Wednesday 31 Aug to Friday 02 September, inclusive.
Having spoken with Eileen, Mike and Anne P, I’ve decided to suspend rowing for the period of filming. The side of our Shed facing the water will be part of an area dressed as a down-at-heel garden centre (yeah, I know….). Given the people and equipment that will be in the area to support filming, it won’t be practical to do our normal activities. The businesses affected will have to be accommodated, so the best thing is for us to be out of the way.
I’m assured that the Shed will be left as it is after filming. The Club won’t be receiving any donations, and there won’t be any opporchancities to promote the club or rowing. We will, however, get a warm fuzzy feeling from being a good neighbour and helpful to our landlord!
Not QRC’s first brush with film crews… back in 2016, the Maid and crew had a starring role in a Channel 5 documentary about the Forth Bridge.
Any questions, let me know, but unless the filming schedule changes, the Shed won’t be accessible and rowing will be suspended during the dates above.
Club captain Marianne writes: We’ve been busy welcoming visitors recently!
Last Saturday we welcomed Jenny Bath from Augusta, Western Australia, and her sister Alison for a row under the bridges. The sun stayed away, but we gave them a very warm welcome in the Shed.
Jenny (in the blue cap) enjoys a close-up of the bridge
A week past Saturday, Donna brought her entire online yoga class to give coastal rowing a try! They threw themselves into the experience with huge enthusiasm, and generously made a donation of £140 to club funds. A wonderful afternoon!
Peter’s grandson, Archie, has been out a fair bit recently. He’s coxing as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Award and we are delighted to support him in this.
Locke the Younger at the helm
We’re looking forward to our favourite club day out at the North Berwick regatta on Sat 27 Aug. We might not win many medals there, but we usually clean up on the tombola! Who’ll get that bottle of ouzo this time?! Do come and support us even if you’re not rowing.
A QRC crew – Donna, Calum, Ally, Lynn and Mark C – successfully made an oar-dacious (did you see what I did there?) rescue bid after a family on a powerboat became stuck on the muddier side of the marina. The irony of a powerboat being towed by rowers was not lost on the grateful family! QRC. The ‘Forth’ Emergency Service.
And finally, we’re holding a club ‘pot luck’ BBQ tomorrow – after the Lass has been around the town in the Ferry Fair parade. Full details in the earlier email. I hope we’ll see as many of you there as possible for an afternoon of rowing, food and good company!
