On 10 January, the club suffered an immeasurable loss, with the death of George Kilgour. It may not seem untimely given his advanced years, but George was an energetic character, rowing regularly and leading Ramblers groups as well. In the past he was a talented mountaineer, and he very generously gave some of his old climbing ropes to the monkey-fist fundraising effort.
The tributes have been pouring in from club members. Here are just a few:
Mark: We’ve lost George at No3 oar. George, a Rowing Club member of many years, died at home this week and we are dealing with the shock of losing a fit, friendly 86-year old: our most-senior rower. He was a regular with us over-60s and liked that engine room position at No3, a tin of mints on the seat beside him (the mints a backup for emergencies when the cox forgets jelly baby morale-boosters). George was a modest, former army man who almost more than rowing, established himself as a hill-walking guide. There can hardly be a hill, trail, ridge or glen in Scotland he had not walked. He knew Fife like the back of his hand.
George celebrates winning a medal at QRC’s 2019 regatta
Lesley and Gareth: George was a gentleman. He’d pop up next to you at a regatta and always had a good chat. Lovely, lovely man.
Donna: God Bless George. He was what our club is all about and will be sorely missed.
Oldest and youngest: George at the no. 3 oar, with Georgina at no. 2, ferrying the “Row Around Scotland” baton in August 2021.And here he is with the baton…
Club captain David writes: Following the nominations and election of office bearers and committee members at last nights AGM, I am pleased to announce the following:
Officer Bearers:
David James – Captain Mags Baillie – Vice Captain Anne Purcell – Treasurer Marianne Sandison – Secretary
Committee Members:
Beth Curtin, Steph Durning, Ewan Garden, Elina Gigourtakis, John Howell, Richard Pearson, Angie Rayner.
Thank you to all those involved and also for your support over the past year!
A question at the AGM was “how many times have the boats been on the water since the last AGM”. The answer was 525, so it just shows what an active club we are. Thanks to the RPs and so many rowers for turning up on a regular basis.
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. 😊
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
Peter writes: Despite the worrying forecast the day started calm, dry and mild. QRC members started to arrive to set up the course, erect a gazebo on the finish line and prepare tea, coffee, biscuits, scones etc and a table of 3 Bridges T shirts and Monkey Fists. By 11.45am teams started to arrive!
West Port Vets Queensferry Scout Leaders Sight Scotland Veterans Death Row! a keep fit group Scottish Parliament Broadcasting Queensferry Tennis Club 1 Queensferry Tennis Club 2 Police Scotland Ferry Fair
All the races were close fought. Photo by Lorna
The event is dedicated to the memory of Alan ‘Mel’ Meldrum who we sadly lost 10 years ago. Mel was a Broadcasting Manager in the Parliament hence the entry from the Parliament. We had three heats each of three boats. Our two skiffs and so grateful to have St Margaret’s Hope row across to join us.
The winners of the 3 heats going into the final were Police Scotland, Queensferry Scout Leaders and Death Row. All heats were exciting and close and in the final we had in first place, Death Row, 2nd, Police Scotland and 3rd Queensferry Scout Leaders. Jenni Meldrum presented the lovely hand carved trophy she had commissioned.
The winning crew Death Row, with cox Louise holding the trophy. In the background are Peter and Jenni. Photo by Lorna
