ERC Grand Re-Opening

Posted on September 9, 2006 | Filed under The club

Re-Opening Speech - Saturday 9th September 2006

Evesham Boat Club was formally established in the summer of 1863, with sixteen active oarsmen and eight non-rowing members. Edward Charles Rudge, the Squire of Evesham, was elected President, and became a lifetime benefactor of the Club. The members included three Reverend gentlemen who took their due place in mid-Victorian Society and in Rowing in particular. The boats and equipment were housed in timber boathouses leased from mine-host at “The Fleece Inn” on the banks of the River Avon and the sport was strictly for “gentlemen” under the rules of the Amateur Rowing Association. The Club grew steadily and was around the thirty-third Provincial Rowing Club to be formed, with local rivals at Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Hereford having been founded several years beforehand and many others that followed. The first Regatta was held in 1864 and was contested between the Clubs from Evesham and Tewkesbury. Transport was developing and the extended railway system gave scope for the movement of boats and oarsmen, transforming the genteel sport to one of fierce competition, using heavy boats rowed over long courses, with fixed seats and rowlocks.

The Club was re-named Evesham Rowing Club (ERC) in the early years. The records of 1879 show the Club colours as being Royal Blue and White but in the decade that followed, this became the Dark Blue and White that is the pride of the Club today.

The Club remained in its timber boathouses, one of which was of the floating variety until it perished in a flood. In 1892/3 the Squire and Club President made a plot on the riverside available to the Club and members took out a Mortgage and built a brick structure with a slated roof. This remains as the Boathouse to this day, extended firstly in 1908 to provide the amenities for members, that were lacking for the first thirty years. A changing room, toilets and a small Club Room were added to the basic boathouse accommodation and the Ladies were invited to participate. There had been ladies rowing for the Club in what we would consider “pleasure boats” in the 1880’s and 1890’s but the new extension of 1908 gave impetus to the “family” being part of the Club.

In 1920, following the end of World War One, the most successful Club four was formed. This elite crew became known as the “Invincibles” and competed and won at each and every of the thirteen regattas they entered, being unchallenged in Provincial Rowing.

Not long after an additional piece of land, owned by the Rudge Estate, was leased to the Club and enabled Tennis grass courts to be created for all members, but predominantly for the entertainment of the rower’s wives. It wasn’t until the 1950s that the Club’s first hard courts were built.

Finally in 1972 the Executive Committee extended the Clubhouse once more to incorporate 2 squash courts, adding a third court later in 1976.

For current members in what must seem an eternity ago, 1996 to be precise, it was decided to apply for a Lottery Grant to further improve the facilities of Evesham Rowing Club. These ten years have seen many ups and downs, including the terrible Easter flood of 1998, which would have submerged us all in the marquee today, and many other obstacles and detours along the way.

Today however, you see before you a very proud and thankful Chairman, and a superb facility that will serve the members and local community for many years. I would like to thank the following for helping bring this project to such a successful conclusion.

Firstly all those Club members and officials who helped compile the 280 page Lottery application, along with the letters and forms of support from local organisations, schools, councils and sports governing bodies. The architect for the project, Pat Burton has been involved right from the beginning, and his detailed knowledge of the Club and its history, have proved invaluable. The task of incorporating all the ideas into such an old building was no easy task, and the end result speaks for itself. Sport England have provided the majority of the finance, and their staff in the West Midlands have always been most helpful and accommodating, particularly James Buller and David Lanfear. We have also been awarded an additional Community Club Development grant, which owes much to Alan Meegan from the Amateur Rowing Association. The Lawn Tennis Association have provided a large grant and loan facilities with Mark Fisher’s help, aided locally by Van Willerton and John Reid. Wychavon District Council has also awarded us a grant, with Jem Teal providing great help and advice along the way. Our brewer’s, John Smiths Central will be providing a loan and support from Rebecca Williams. When the Sport England confirmation came through in November 2004, Castons were appointed as Project Managers and Martin King, aided by John Pountney have been involved deeply ever since. Tim Smith Builders were awarded the contract and work commenced last November. Throughout the build, the Club has remained open, albeit with restrictions, and Club members are very appreciative of the efforts of Tim Smith and Mike Day in working around our sporting and social requirements. Buzz Electrical and Courtstall were subcontracted for the electrical work and tennis courts respectively. I would like to extend my grateful thanks to each and every one.

Alongside the main project, the Club decided to revamp the upstairs function room and kitchen. This has been carried out entirely by volunteer Club members under the direction of Mark Dewdney. As can be seen, we now have a wonderful function facility that will benefit the Club and town. My special thanks to Mark, Rob Fisher, John Johnson and Norman Redgewell with great assistance from Brian Hay, Dave Perry and Keith Rafter. Mike Sanger-Davies has been the Club’s major liaison with the builders, with help from John and Rob, and also been the financial guru. I would like to thank them deeply for the vast amounts of time they have spent on behalf of the Club, and also those members who lent the club £50,000 when there was a slight hiccup in the legal proceedings.

Today’s event has been organised by Lisa Hobbs, Linda Walker and Mark Dewdney and I am sure you will join with me in thanking them profusely.

To all of our guests, thank you for coming today and for your support throughout this project. To Alistair, Sir Matthew and Zac, it has been a great honour for me and the Club to have you here today, giving up so much of your valuable time.

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