Reunion Rowing
Brian Smith writes:
Unfortunately, several who planned to row had to drop out close to the day, so we were few in number this year. We were therefore grateful to the Boat Club captains, not only for their help, but organising rowers so we could have an outing in an eight. As ever, it was a real mix of men and women, from a wide range of years (and not just invited year alumni), bringing back a range of memories – but we do make sure it is fun and not too strenuous.
Glen Norcliffe (1962), who had come over from Canada, commented: “I expected that turning the clock back 50+ years and sitting once again in an eight would be a big challenge. But lo! These new boats are light as a feather, the spade oars correct the worst of strokes, the cox was brilliant – she kept the rating down to 20 and even lower – and the other seven rowers gave nothing but encouragement. The sun shone and we were soon speeding down the Cam. What i feared might be a challenge became the most enjoyable of experiences, one that I hope will be savoured by many more former boat club members in Fitz reunions to come.”
https://www.flickr.com/photos/181898184@N06/48808191122/in/album-72157711097060491/
Crew: Leila Harris Fahmy, Emily Lees, Hazel Walker, Emmet Cassidy, Brian Smith, Pete Howard, Glen Norcliffe, Lizzie Knight , Andre Neto-Bradley
https://www.flickr.com/photos/181898184@N06/48808190817/in/album-72157711097060491/
If you are interested in joining us, or if you wish to put a crew together from your year, please contact Brian Smith (brianpsmith1975@gmail.com) who co-ordinates arrangements on behalf of the Billygoats Society.
Fairbairn Cup – Women
Emily Lees writes:
To mark 40 years of women’s rowing at Fitzwilliam College, this year saw the advent of an alumnae boat for Fairbairns. Organised by Hazel Walker (2017) this year we were known as Fitz Past and Present, as we were lucky to be joined by a couple of present students, but we also saw the return of a number of Fitz rowers past, including Helen Fishwick and Rhiannon Philps (2014), Ilona Szabo, Jemima Gasson and Emily Young (2015), Emily Lees (2016), Jess Halliday (2011) and benefited from the able assistance of Emma Marron (2002) who temporarily transferred allegiance from Peterhouse for the day after injury in W1 depleted our crew.
We had a great row, coming very close to catching Peterhouse ahead of us until re-acquainting ourselves with the bank around grassy corner! Despite this, the crew put in an impressive time of 18:40 and hugely enjoyed our time back in the boat. We hope to return next year, and would welcome any other Billygoats who would like to join us.
Fairbairn Cup – Men
David Birtwhistle (1966) writes:
In his great enthusiasm to promote Billygoat rowing, rebuild the boathouse and upgrade the equipment and experience of rowing at Fitz, Jonathan Price persuaded me back to row with an alumni crew on the Cam.
Since then the annual return to compete in the Fairbairns has become an elaborate ritual, a process that begins with Adrian Tollett’s call-up in the midst of summer rowing and ends before dawn on the first Friday in December when the crew assemble at the riverside for a practise before the waterway is closed for the race at 08.30.
This year the usual suspects were fewer than they have been in previous years, there were even rumours that someone might have gone skiing instead. As a result we had the benefit of a student sitting in with us, and one of Adrian’s clubmates from City of Cambridge. Matt could not make the practise outing so we set out with Adam, a substitute substitute. I realised that I, by far the most ancient member of the crew, am old enough to be their grandfather.
It always surprises me to find that the Cam is so narrow and twisting. Since our days in the mid-sixties ( you see, I do remember some bits ) all these moored houseboats have appeared, making life difficult for our cox, Kathryn. The choking smoke from their flues and their droning generators are a distraction from the business of concentration. Actually the balance was not bad but we might have been a little short on umph.
This year we had been promoted into the dizzy heights of the Senior Men’s division. Fitz has the most blessedly located boathouse which allows us to wait in comfort as all the crews are marshalled. Then, still nice and warm, we can step into the boat, take ten strokes and start rowing the race. This is just as well as our start was delayed by an hour as one of the above mentioned houseboats has, apparently, joined the race as a novelty crew.
Like life, our row improved as it went on. The only other crew in sight swept past us the moment they were able, which unsettled us, but they were soon forgotten when we were overtaken by the delights of the Long Reach. Still lacking a little umph, we smartened up for the parade past all the other crews at the finish. After we turned, a yell from Kathryn alerted us, two filthy houseboats, lashed together and on the wrong side of the river were steering towards us through a smokescreen of fumes. Some very deft steering saw us through but only just.
Rather shaken and weary the row back was still a pleasure for this old competitor.
Crew: Kathryn Ogilvy, Alan Alcock, Andrew Goulden, Clive Woodman, Nick Francis, Matt von Lany (current student), David Birtwhistle, Phil Dickens (City of Cambridge), Adrian Tollet
Plum Puddings
A somewhat depleted Plum Puddings turnout meant a number of combinations were considered before we went for a traditional 8+ vs 2x race format, with Mateja and Eryk bravely being volunteered for the smaller boat. The 8+ paddled down doing a few exercises, some of which meant different things to different crew members and nothing at all to others, with a few 10s to round off the training program. We spun at the bottom of the Long Reach and waited for the 2x. Having forgotten to practice starts, we settled on a novel approach to the race – starting from backstops at light pressure, and taking it from there. The 2x led off the start, having cheated by starting with bows level at frontstops. As the 8+ got into its stride, stroke desperately trying to keep up with 6 and 5, we began to catch up. As the crews drew level the 2x went into the bank, much to the relief of some in the 8+. To their great credit, and contrary to every similar event I have ever seen, the 2x did not claim that cox had cleverly moved over, subtly forcing them into the bank, but they will no doubt learn this time-honoured technique as their experience in the 2x grows. Mince pies and mulled wine completed the afternoon, and strengthened our resolve for the meetings and dinner ahead.
Crews:
Ray Kelly (8+) – Adam Morland, Dan George, David Birtwhistle, Morten Kals, Dan Riches, Mads Christensen, Francis Headley, Noah El Wafa, Jemima Gasson
Ron Walters (2x) – Mateja Soretic, Eryk Sokolowski
Ashton thanked the Billygoats for the new VIII and for welcoming and supporting her in coming to Fitz and Cambridge, and spoke of how much she had enjoyed her experiences here, rowing both for the University and for the College.
