Category: History

1969 Lents

Tom Moffat got in touch and said: “Greetings…to all Billygoats!

It was lovely to read about the 50th anniversary of Billy going Head of the Lents and Mays. I remember the celebrations…and although not a rower myself I was very happy to share in the joy of the occasion.

I was looking through some of my old college memorabilia recently and found the actual CUBC Lent Races 1969 programme. In it I have written “Fitzwilliam – Ist time – Head of the River – history made”. I think I must have seen the historic event from the towpath.”

Here are some extracts from the programme:

1969 Mays

The 1st VIII was not the only successful crew in the 1969 Mays, other crews demonstrated the strength in depth of Billy rowing. For example, Michael Fowler remembers:

I coxed the 4th May Boat in 1969, the magic year. I have attached a photo of my rudder, with all the names on, a posed crew photo and a photo of us bumping, I think, Queen’s V near Grassy corner.

The 1969 May Bumps Supper was of course an amazing night, Head of River etc, number of crews with oars and rudders, including us in the 4th boat. I remember ending up behind what was then the College greenhouse in a very mellow state with a number of friends and it being suggested by the then Head Porter, Mr Balls, that I should think about getting home! I was by this time a PhD research student and lived outside College. Looking at my rudder, which is still on the book case in my study, I wonder what happened to all my pals in the 1969 4th May Boat, and I have put the June 2019 date in my diary and intend to be there if possible. It would be wonderful if we could get the boat back together.

I also have the bit of the bow of my “8” with the name “W T Reddaway” on it, also on my study wall. The story behind that is, that the chap who coxed Reddaway the year after me ran the boat into the bank and badly damaged the bow. George, who was then our boatman at Fitz, knowing how fond I had been of Reddaway (a lovely old clinker “8”, which I doubt you see the likes of these days), had kept the name plate bit of the bow for me which he then gave to me when I next dropped into the boathouse to see him, some time after I had gone down from Fitz.

I have wonderful memories of early morning outings and floating down the river in mists, with just the sound of the oars and seeing ducks and swans swimming to get out of our way – absolute bliss. Coming around Grassy Bend and there was the Plough, memories of sitting in the garden there, with a pint and watching boats go by. One particular hazard for Fitz coxes was, in those days, if I recall, an old wooden, road bridge just below the boathouse going down river. Quite often there were pleasure boats etc moored on each side of the river, making the channel quite narrow, such that on occasion you had to get a bit of way on just before the bridge, then ship oars and coast through. What made it more difficult for the cox was that it was on a slight right hand bend going down river. Led to the occasional interesting moment! They were wonderful times in a wonderful College which you can’t put a price on.

Castle Blades

Billygoats’ President George Proffitt and Secretary Dan George visited the Castle pub before the recent committee meeting to toast the 1969 Lent and May blades displayed there.

Does anyone know who donated them to the pub?

1970

Ian Mason shared the following press cuttings. If they are difficult to read you may need to use your browser’s zoom facility. The first two relate to the 1970 May Bumps, describing how the 1st boat rowed over at Head, and the 2nd, 3rd and 4th boats all got their oars (the eagle-eyed may notice that the 3rd VIII got 4 bumps and a row over, for which result some dispute whether an oar is awarded).

Further demonstrating stength in depth, Dave MacLean shared these photos of the May 1970 2nd VIII, who won their oars:

Dave said:

I was asked to add comment to the photos of the 1970 2nd May Boat, mainly sent to the Society to fill a bit of the hole in Charles Lowe’s diary, regarding memories of that era. Further rummaging produced the below artifacts of the era. I hope it prompts memories to those involved as we celebrate the success of Fitzwilliam gaining, and maintaining, Head of the River in 1969.

I arrived at Fitzwilliam, Sept 1968 a fresh-faced youth from a state school with little or no sporting prowess. The mood of the College was inclusion in every form of event. Whilst I still had my eye on the main prize of my degree; in my second year (’69 – ’70) I chose to try rowing as an activity (a sport alien to my background).

Starting in the Novices in ’69 (I believe alongside Jim Hart), things for me were surprisingly successful through the whole year in many ways which was celebrated at the Fairbairn Dinner.

Nevertheless, I recall the Blue boat and Goldie had made high demands on Fitzwilliam oarsmen in the spring of 1970. As a result the Lent Boats were plagued by a maelstrom of problems for the Lent Races of which Charles made mention, and in  which I think I was moved, as others, from boat to boat on one or more days – musical boats – no wonder we were unsuccessful.

However, the year (May 1970) culminated in success for the 2nd May Boat of 1970 (see above photo of J. Belton, R Matthews, J Alington, J Hart, D MACLEAN, M Moseley, I T Smith, A Adams and R Humphrey). The Boat Club overall was hugely successful – I recall a number of boats, including ours, winning their oars alongside the 1st Boat maintaining Head of The River. (see below May 1970 Bumps Programme) So far as I recall the Bumps supper that year was a hugely celebratory affair, and probably echoed the phrase – if you remember the ‘60s, you possibly weren’t there. Fortunately, I do remember it – just. I hope to attend the forthcoming re-union and catch up with past fellow crew.

David M MacLean (1968)

John Belton was interested to see the above post and said “I particularly liked the formal group photo where I have got lots of hair (which has now, sadly, receded into baldness)!” He shared this photo of the 1970 2nd May Boat Oar.

Nile Boat Race

In December 1970 there was a boat race on the Nile, as part of the first Nile festival, including Fitzwilliam Blues Neville Robertson, Bob Winckless and Charles Lowe, and coxed by Ian Mason.

1971

In 1971 Fitz again rowed over at Head.

Here is a list of Fitzwilliam Blues, originally compiled by John Adams I believe, and expanded by me to include the women. In fact, the CUWBC website gives a lot more information in an accessible format so it was possible to include Blondie and the Lightweight Women back to 1980. I have now added Lightweight Men, with help from Bob Greatorex. There is still only partial data for Goldie as I have been unable to find any online source. If anyone has access to data for Goldie I would be very happy to add it to this post. Please email secretary@billygoats.org.uk with any errors or omissions.

The CUBC website now has a full history so this should now be complete.

Fitzwilliam College went Head of the River for the first time in the Lent Bumps of 1969, and repeated this in May Bumps 1969. The Lent Headship was only to last 1 year but Billy remained Head in the Mays in 1970 and 1971. In 2019 the Billygoats Society and the Head crews intend to celebrate the 50th annversary of these momentous events at the May Bumps Supper.  In this post members of the crew share some photos and memories, and I have scanned and uploaded many pages of the Boat Club Record Book.

Charles Lowe has these trophy photos and oars marking his three years at Head of the Mays.

Charles Lowe shares his memories of rowing for ‘Billy 1968-71:

My first memory was George Proffitt coming to my parent’s house in Cheshire in September 1968, before I had gone up to Cambridge, presumably to check me out and to encourage me to go up early for the start of training for the Light Fours (which ‘Billy won for the first time that year).

The second abiding memory was bumping Queens’ to go Head of the Mays, particularly the action of the Queens’ crew coming down the towpath to congratulate us which feels so different to the way some people behave these days.

Fast forward then to Henley in 1970 when, as stroke of our Visitors’ four I was so unprepared for success that I hadn’t memorised the Barrier or Fawley records and so missed the fact early in the semi-finals race on the Friday that we were a second outside the then records. Once well ahead we eased off to save ourselves for the final the following day (which in the end we won with a verdict of “Easily”).

My final rowing memory was of the Mays in 1971. We were conscious that year that there were other college crews that were possibly as fast as us, however we had the advantage of clear water. On the Friday we had Jesus behind us and by the start of the long reach they were threatening. At that point I saw the feet of Neville Robertson, our stroke, appear above the heads of the oarsmen in between so we lost the power of our stern pair for a good few strokes whilst they sorted themselves out. Steve Kerruish, rowing at 6, and I thankfully were able to keep the momentum going, as Jesus closed in on us, almost to an overlap. Once we were back to full strength and pulling away, they appeared to blow up.

The happiest time I spent at Cambridge was in the company of fellow College oarsmen. Perhaps the highlight was the surprise 30^th birthday party held for Kenny Fraser where we all hid behind items of furniture in the house he and Susie were renting. We gave Kenny quite a shock when we stood up. There were many good dinners too, and even a few good speeches. Not to be forgotten as well is our Boatman George, who looked after our equipment brilliantly: a real craftsman and definitely a major contributor to our successes.

George Proffitt (Captain in 1968/9 and now President of the Billygoats Society in this anniversary year) shared some action photos of the 1969 Lent and May crews, and the 1970 May crew, which are interspersed with extracts from the Record Book.

1968 Michaelmas:

M. Robson, Clare by 1.8 secs.

was slightly less than hoped for and this reflected in their term’s results.

1969 Lent Crew

1969 May crew

proved that they were immeasurably the fastest crew in the Cambridge May races which they won last week for the first time in their history.

1969 May crew

skill in all his work. The club donated £26 to him, from members pockets. A fibreglass scull was bought.

1969 Michaelmas:

Sadly there is little recorded for the 1970 Lents:

There is no more in the Record Book for the 1969-70 season, and nothing for 1970-71.

1970 May crew

Stephen Kerruish had these photos of Henley Royal Regatta crews in the Ladies Plate, with him rowing at 6 in both crews. He says

The 1970 crew was really good. We won the Head of the Cam, Senior Eights at Cambridge Regatta and were Head of the River. We were knocked out of the Ladies Plate by a Dutch crew who went on to win it, I think. Four of us won the Visitors Cup at Henley Royal Regatta that year.

The 1971 crew (the pic with Jim Hart in his headband at 4) was also good. We stayed Head of the River and reached the last 4 of the Ladies Plate.

Fitzwilliam College marked its 100th anniversary in 1969 by attaining the position of Head of the River in both the Lent Bumps and the May Bumps. To state the obvious, the Bumps is rather particular in that a crew cannot “win it”, i.e. go Head of the River, simply by being the fastest College crew in Cambridge at the time of the races. It takes a series of successful performances over a period of years to get a College in the position to be able to challenge for the Headship. In the case of the Mays, for instance, Fitwilliam had entered the first division in 1963 and risen inexorably over the next 5 years to end the 1968 races in 2nd place.

Extracts from the Boat Club records for Michaelmas 1966:

in the final by 2 secs. We were probably 3rd fastest IV competing. Crew: B I. Hall  2 A. Baker 3 J. Reddaway 4 R. Winckless

Slap: Cox R . Sanders  Coaches: R. St John Harold, I. K. Hall, C. J. Gill, G. M. A. Proffitt                                                       

Tickle: Cox M. Fowler  Coaches:E. R. Wallace, G. A. C. Luddington, P. V. Marshall, G. M. A. Proffitt

George Proffitt (FCBC Captain in 1969 and currently President of the Billygoats Society in this anniversary year of the Headship) shared a number of photos of 1967 crews and oars for the 1967 Mays and the 1967 and 1968 University Fours, which are interspaced with further extracts from the records.

Extracts from the Boat Club records for Easter 1967:

The VIII rowed reasonably but not at their best and were knocked out by Bedford Rowing Club. The IV went on to

Coaches: P. D. Matthewman, J. D. R. Steeten, D. J. Russell

Chris Gill (previous President of the Billygoats Society) shared his recollections of the 1967 1st May boat:

Our 1^st May boat was shaping up well, even though Bob Winckless had elected to carry on in a University crew of some sort, rather than re-join the College crew.  This was unusual in those days, as it was the clear understanding that Colleges ‘lent’ their best oarsmen to the two University crews during the October – March period, but reclaimed them for the whole of the summer term, culminating in the May Bumps and Henley.

The coaching line-up had been augmented by Roger Blomfield, a Shrewsbury schoolmaster (who, amazingly, was still coaching at Shrewsbury 30 years later, when my son Dominic appreciated  his coaching skills and his capacity for whisky – and his 2 attractive daughters), and Freddie Page, whose coaching at Thames RC and St Paul’s School BC had given him legendary status in the rowing world (He also, for many years, organised the Tideway Head of the River Race single-handed.  When he retired from this, it took five people to replace him). ‘Blom’ coached the crew at the start of term, although I was away for this period on a Departmental Field Course in Aberystwyth. 

Freddie was the finishing coach for the Mays – he would drive up to Cambridge each evening after finishing work in London.   He was a magical coach, cycling along 200 yards behind the crew and saying almost nothing.    After a fortnight, the crew would be going much faster.   On one occasion, he was lent George Proffitt’s bike, the cranks of which had slipped out of the normal 180-degree alignment – as a result, Freddie’s pedalling took on a decidedly bobbing look which, contrasted to his usual dignified and sedate progress along the bank, reduced us juveniles in the boat to helpless giggles.

On one occasion, when we were sitting next to each other at a Bumps Supper, Freddie – a wonderfully cultured dinner companion – remarked that one could put him down anywhere in France, and he would reckon to know a good restaurant within an hour’s drive.   How civilised was that?

On the river, the crew did well, with Fitz’s three Goldie men and some other very competent College oarsmen on board, making 4 bumps and winning its oars.  The crew went on to Henley, once again enjoying the Daniels’ hospitality and winning through to the second round by beating Furnival Sculling Club in the first.    On this occasion, we were fortunate to pick up a very memorable coach, one Surgeon-Commander ‘Johnnie’ Johnson.   He allegedly spent all year on active service in the Royal Navy (this year it had been in the Arctic), banking his pay, which would then be splurged big-time on hospitality at the Regatta.    He was an excellent coach, and took care to coach the cox too.

Extracts from the Boat Club records for Henley 1967:

to win by 1/4 length. On the third day the IV was knocked out by 1st and 3rd who led from the start.

Strangely the three pages for 1967-68 have been removed from the Secretary’s Record Book but here are some reports from the Fitzwilliam Society Journal (courtesy of George Proffitt).

Chris Gill also shared his memories of the 1968 Mays:

Work-filled days were followed by evening outings on the river, where the VIII’s position in the looming May Bumps put Fitzwilliam within reach of the Headship – for the first time in history.  Freddie Page had passed his coaching baton on to Tim Shaw, a most pleasant one-time cox from Queen’s College, Oxford and Thames RC, who now lived in Gloucestershire.   The VIII, unusually with all available talent on board – three Blues, a Goldie and five other very competent oarsmen – promised (and turned out) to be  the fastest on the river, but such conditions can breed complacency.

The Bumps arrived, but Peter Major developed a bug the evening before the first night and was prohibited from rowing by the doctor.  

Substitution and a shuffle of the crew order followed, but the crew did not row well on the first night, narrowly failing to bump Pembroke in the first half of the course and instead getting bumped by Lady Margaret just metres from the finish (my first experience of being at the receiving end of a bump).   That put paid to our chance of going Head of the River that year (although, perhaps more fittingly, the equally strong 1969 crew was to go Head 12 months later, in the College’s centenary year).

Gloom descended, Peter Major was put back into the crew regardless of medical advice, and on the second night we bumped Lady Margaret back (quite vindictively) well before the halfway mark.   Further bumps followed on the two remaining nights, but we were denied the chance of contending Queens’ for the Headship and had to be content with finishing second on the river.

Sadly, Bob Winckless and John Reddaway elected to go to Henley with University crews, so the Fitz VIII did not compete at the Royal Regatta.   It might have done rather well!

The sterling efforts of the earlier 1960s crews left Billy at the end of the 1967-68 year second on the river in both Lents and Mays, poised to mark the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Fitzwilliam House/College in a spectacular manner.