The as-it-happened story of how our club was born, ten years ago.
Mike McD writes: Eleven people* came along to the advertised meeting in Queensferry Boat Club and after introductions and a short discussion ‘The Scottish Coastal Rowing Project – Queensferry’ was born.
‘Funding’ and ‘Building’ were the main topics, with ‘Crewing’ ‘to be discussed later’! Peter L had already looked at ways of raising the necessary £5,000 (an agreed overall budget figure), so he agreed to lead the fundraising, Several people had declared an interest in the build operation, so ‘an experienced boat builder’ would be approached to act as advisor. There remained the question of where it could be built. It was agreed those present would form the Steering Group but that ultimately a decision on how the boat would be managed (ie a Rowing Club), would be required. I was elected Chair, Graham Leith, Secretary, and Peter, Treasurer..
It was agreed that the boat should be complete by 31 March 2011 and that we would invite Anstruther to bring their boat over to Queensferry for the Lifeboat Open day on 20th June.
There would be a further 16 meeting of the Steering Group.
* Mike McD (Vice Commodore QBC), Peter L (himself), Graham Leith and Stuart Ridge (Rotary), Sheena and Ranald Mackay, and John Howell (QBC), Mathew Foster (RNLI & Q High School), Greg Wilson (RNLI), Alan Meldrum (former rower) and Stuart Mitchell (sailor, architect, etc).