Reunion Row 2024 – Billygoats Society

1984 & more – Sat 2pm

Over the Reunion weekend of Sept 28/29 2024, an ecletic (electric?) mix of half an eight of 1984, two current/recent students, Sally (1979) and Glen (1962, all the way from Canada!), met at the stunning boathouse. It was the most glorious of Autumn days – the sun shines on the righteous?

The run up to the outing was taken seriously, with John putting in daily sessions on the ergo in his bedroom, Richard completing a punishing series of early morning runs (culminating in the Ealing half marathon the day after our outing), Graeme cycling up the Tourmalet for some high-altitude training, and Martin doubling up on his on-line Pilates. On the day, Carole Burton (1984), cox, briefed the crew and under her watch we gingerly manoeuvred the shell (we loved the sliders out of the rack) onto the water and in the necessary wellies popped her in the water. Unfortunately, Sally also popped into the water as the Cam was over the bank from recent floods and she forget to seek out the edge in her wellies. Sadly, we don’t have a photo. Graeme ambitiously applied copious tape to his hands, whilst many of us marvelled at the lightness of the blades and the comfort of the handles.

Under the watchful eye of adopted coach for the day, Ian Clarke (1984), the crew paddled upstream and conducted the first of our two turns. From there, with graduate student Rob stroking, the crew had a glorious row down back past the boathouse supporters, downstream to just short of the Plough. Carole and Ian’s measured and nicely put coaching was marvelous, and there were a few nirvanic pieces where the boat glided along.

On the return, we undertook one piece of ‘work’, but in the main Rob kept us focused on slow and smooth rating under 20, as Sally dried out slowly at Bow. The river, of course, had been developed since our day, particularly on the Chesterton bank. It seemed more magical than all those years ago. Glen explained that the secret to his long sporting career has been a daily open water swim in his local lake, so that’s something we need to consider in the run up to our next outing in 2034.

Glen said: I am still exhilarated by this row – 60 years on!! Heavy wooden oars and clinker boats have been replaced by featherweight oars, and boats that even seniors can toss up over their head. It took a long time to get the rhythm back, but the younger members of the boat were very patient!! Let’s do it again!

Str Rob (current student)

7 Richard Hooke (1984)

6 Kes (just graduated)

5 John Driscoll (1984)

4 Graeme Purdy (1984)

3 Glen Norcliffe (1962)

2 Martin Caldwell (1984)

Bow Sally Howes (1979)

Cox Carole Burton (1984)

The group owe their thanks to all who made this happen. This includes Carole, Dan, Ian, Tony and Melody at the Development Office.

2004 with a bit of 2014 – Sat 10.30am

On the morning after their reunion dinner on Friday evening the 2004 and 2014 vintages combined for an outing.

Helen writes:

As much as visits to watch bumps are wonderful for feeling back involved in the sport that took up so much of our lives at Fitzwilliam College, there is nothing quite comparable to being back in a boat ourselves; sat on the Cam with the familiar sounds of catches splashing and finishes clunking. The alumni of 2014 and 2004 had a blast coming together for our outing on Saturday morning. We were very fortunate that, for once, the sunshine joined us and aggressive swans did not. A few sat strokes, the calls of a cox who you’d think had only retired yesterday, and the reach to ourselves, gave us the perfect toe dipped back into the sport so dear to all our hearts and so greatly missed. It probably helped our enjoyment levels this outing was also a rare combination of not at 6am, nor in sub-zero temperatures, nor with overdue essays hanging over us. Thank you to all those who made it possible for us.