The club's 150th Annual Dinner takes place on Friday 30th March 2012 at the Clubhouse.

Tickets are on sale now priced at £25.00 per head (£15.00 per head for juniors/students). Due to high demand 2 tickets per person are initially available. Regular updates on ticket numbers available will be added here so please keep an eye on the website.

Further information about the dinner/speakers etc will also be added over the coming days/weeks so please keep checking for updates.

For tickets or further information please contact Carolyn Thackstone on carolyn.thackstone@hotmail.co.uk or 07917 391973.

   Much as we strive for and applaud success on the river, we have always said that the club is much more than that, and the social side that brings friends together is the real cement in rowing as in any other sport.  For the first time in recent years, we decided to have a Christmas Party, and Jenna Swift set about organising it. Jenna with Miriam Quinn did a great job of the catering and  a great supper of roast pork, stuffing and chips - of course there had to be chips - was provided.  The decorations and music created just the right atmosphere and the setting was there for a great evening.

On 6th November 2011 the Union crew of Ollie Botterill, Roly Evans, Merv Knight, Mark Johnson and Tam Cottle raced at the Veteran's Fours Head with a view to defending the Masters B 4+ title that they won in 2010.  In what were cold and blustery autumnal conditions, the crew took on a lumpy river Thames and a significantly deeper field.  The crew were victorious, beating a Crabtree crew into second place by 1 second.  For the second year in a row the crew were also the quickest veteran sweep boat beating all 4+ and 4-.  The crew now set their sights on defending their Vesta Veteran's Eights Head title in the spring. 

  It is  unlike a Union member to turn down a challenge, whether its on water or on land.

On Sunday 14th August @ 7.30am Anthony Jackson started his Cycle Sportif of 65miles in the Peak Dsitrict. With Winnatts Pass thrown in by the organisers at the three quarter distance marker 'to spice things up a little', it was always going to be more a challenge. After 4hrs and 30mins Anthony managed to finish a respectable 33rd out of 300. He continues to train on land in preparation for the Rowers Revenge Triathlon in Marlow on 3rd October and will return to racing on the water at the  Nottingham Scullers Head 2 weeks after

The novice men and women travelled to Burton Regatta on Saturday 9th July 2011, which for half of them would be their first experience of racing.

Despite a heavy downpour the previous day conditions were good and the weather kind.

The novice 4+ of Joe, Richard, Nathan and Duncan drew the Boat Club in the first round and went down by just 1L following an outstanding row given that it was Duncan and Nathan's first race having joined the club only months earlier.

The Mxd 2x of Steve and Den also had a solid row despite being taken by surprise by a bridge in the middle of the river at the start of the race!

The Novice 2x of Tom and Joris however stormed home to win their novices (Joris in his first ever race!) after beating Trent in the first round, Burton Leander B in the semi and Burton Leander A in the final.

Celebrations followed in the South Bank bar (who was that woman Steve??!) and a huge thank you to the supporters at Burton including Nathan's Dad, Joe's Mum, Meg, Martin BB, Carl and Scarlett.

Photos in the Gallery

PS - Who forgot to hand in the photo quiz......???!

Nottingham & Union won the Veteran C category and finished 5th overall at the Vesta Veterans Head on Sunday 3rd April 2011 in near-perfect tideway conditions on a slack outgoing tide. Starting 57th, the crew managed to steadily pull away from the chasing Crabtree crew, and overhauled several other crews, including rivals Nottingham Rowing Club by the Chiswick Eyot. From there the crew held a very strong rhythm with total commitment right to the finish line to claim the pennant by 7 seconds from nearest category rivals Thames Rowing Club and last years winners - Spanish crew Donostia Arraun Lagunak.



Cox: Amy Yorke; Str- Bow: Chris Waumsley, Roly Evans, Chris Unwin, Merv Knight, Mark Johnson, Jim Waller, Sid Mitchell, Rob Jephcote

 

Seventy members gathered at the Clubhouse for the 149th Annual Dinner, to celebrate the winning of the Wyfold Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta for the first time since the club's

victory way back in 1963. As last year, the Dinner was catered for by club members under the guidance of Lucy Chambers, putting on an excellent meal and in a warm and convivial atmosphere enjoyed by all. The menu sponsored by the Bennett brothers, proudly featured the winning four

collecting the trophy, for what everyone agreed was the finest race of the five day event.

 

After an absence of four months due to illness, the President together with his wife Sally were able to preside over the formalities of the evening which featured excellent speeches from two past captains Peter Gerry and Charles Adams, the former coming over from his home in France for the

occasion. The Captain Carolyn Thackstone (Nee Kirkham) gave a glowing report of the 2010 season in which the club achieved a unique treble in winning the Head of the Trent, the Jackson Trophy at the Head of the River, and the Wyfolds at Henley. The steady growth at all levels in the club,

boded well for the future.

 

The scheme initiated by Trevor Rainbow two years ago which brought about the successful association with the Loughborough Students, was endorsed with an excellent address by their current President Will Powell.

The 3 annual trophies were awarded as follows:

Graeme Coleman continued to show strength with his latest race at the Vest Scullers Head. Despite an early, cold start he managed to Scull and steer a committed race finishing 4th Overall and winning the Senior pennant.

Mr Coleman is pleased with his result and attributes some of his good result to Robbie Smith who made an appearance during the weekend before and gave him some technical advice, it obviously paid off!!

Congratulations to Graeme.

The crew of Ollie Botterill, Roly Evans, Merv Knight, Mark Johnson and Tam Cottle flew the flag for the Union at the Vet Fours Head on 13th November in vet B coxed fours.  Travelling to London on the back of 1 session together the crew were grateful to find a calm and benign Thames waiting to play host to them and their fellow competitors.  Eager not to waste the favourable conditions the crew stormed down the course passing all of their competition before Hammersmith Bridge.  They kept their foot to the floor and continued to hunt down those ahead as they pushed for the finish.  Their reward was to finish in 5th place overall, the quickest sweep oared boat on the river that day, only beaten by four quads.  This result continues to build on their recent success in vet B coxed fours at the British Masters Championships in June.

Just to update members on Martin's progress as so many people have been asking after both he and Sally.

Martin was discharged from hospital last weekend and is currently staying with his son for a week or two before heading home. Sally is also doing very well but will remain in rehabilitation for three or four more weeks but both hope to be home for Christmas, which will be wonderful.

Martin very much hopes to get down to the club again, sometime in December, and we will all be delighted to see him.

November 2010

Lady Bay Bridge is currently undergoing some repainting and refurbishment works and as such there are some river closures in place.



The Nottingham Princess and other commercial craft (which have right of way over non commercial craft i.e. us lot) will be using the South Arch for their cruises, when the Centre Arch is closed. Notices will be posted on the riverside for any change, please read them.



If any crews are out on the river, it is suggested that it would be safest to totally avoid this area, especially at night time.  If any crew has to pass through Lady Bay Bridge, please take great care, look well ahead and LISTEN for any warning sirens. These are large boats, keep well clear! Do not try to play 'chicken; with them! You WILL lose!



The works are due to finish in Mid December.



Be Safe, Be Happy

(Bernie McGuckin)

Weil’s Disease, also known as Leptospirosis, is currently hitting the headlines again, and although rare, the disease does kill one or two people every year. It is carried by water organisms, so those taking part in water sports such as rowing can be at risk.

In the early stages Leptospirosis can be mistaken for flu but can develop into jaundice, kidney and liver failure.

While the risk of contracting the disease from recreational water is very small, we remind all members that the serious nature of the disease means that rowers must be aware of the dangers and should take simple, routine precautions to reduce the risk of infection.

The most likely place for Leptospirosis to be found is in stagnant water, water that is adjacent to farm land and any water where rodents are common.

What are the symptoms?

Typically symptoms develop between 7 – 14 days after infection, although in rare cases the incubation can be as short as 2 – 3 days or as long as 30 days.  Some cases may be asymptomatic, some may present with a flu-like illness with severe headache, chills, muscle aches and vomiting.

Many of the symptoms of Leptospirosis are the same as for other diseases and diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion followed by a blood test.  There is a specialist reference laboratory for the disease that doctors can consult. 

Ways to avoid contracting Weil’s Disease

• Wash or shower after rowing


• Cover minor cuts and scratches with waterproof plasters before getting in your boat


• Clean open wounds, such as blisters or calf abrasions with an anti-bacterial substance


• Wear trainers or boots to avoid cutting your feet before getting in your boat

What to do if you think you have symptoms?

• Early diagnosis and treatment is important


• If you develop flu-like symptoms after rowing go to your GP and say that you are a rower 


• Leptospirosis is treated with antibiotics which should be administered early in the course of the disease

FOR SALE – SIMS 1X (55-65kg): Sims Evolution 1x with aluminium wing rigger, size 6 shoes and Concept 2 Smoothie blades with new Vortex edges. Used by lightweight woman racing at Henley and Nat Champs. All in excellent condition except for two tiny chips, no accidents. New February 2003 but virtually unused since April 2005 due to our first child coming along. Racked in Nottingham. £3500. Tel: 07795185319 or email: alison.drury@cantab.net

On Saturday 21st August 2010, both the men’s and women’s novice sections of the club entered Novice 2x at Warwick Primary Regatta.

On a wet and windy day, the women, Catherine Carus and Miriam Quinn won 3 rounds beating Trentham BC B, Derby RC and Trentham BC C, before losing in the final to Trentham BC A.

The boys, 16 year old Joe Thompson and Richard Talbot, who was taking part in his first race, beat both Warwick BC and Nottingham Boat Club but were unlucky to be beaten in the final by just half a length by Warwick BC.

Despite the weather it was a great day out and many thanks to other members of the novice squads (and Joe’s mum!) who came down for the day to support.

Photos to follow on the Gallery page.

On Friday 8th October 2010 we will be holding a celebration party at the clubhouse starting at 6pm.

As well as celebrating the clubs achievements during the 2009/2010 seaon, which include winning the treble of the Trent Head, Jackson Trophy and Wyfold Challenge Cup, the clubs coaching launch and other new boats will also be officially named on this occassion.

Members are asked to suggest names for the new boats to be named on this occassion. There is one 2x/-, and three 1x to be named. From the names suggested for the 2x/- , John Pearce, the clubs welfare officer will pick the winner and has very kindly offered a bottle of champagne to the person whos suggested name is chosen. 

A 2010 club photograph will also be taken on this evening.

A timetable for the evening is as follows:

6pm start

6.30pm boat naming

7pm club photo in clubhouse

7.30pm onwards - buffet available (provided by Lucy, who cooked the club annual dinner in January)

The cost of the buffet will be £8.00 per head (£4.00 for juniors/students). Please let the captain know if you will be attending so that we know how many to cater for.

We hope to see as many people there as possible.

The Union 4- comprising of Mike Ewing, Simon O'Neill, Will Bryant and Oli Bottrell won the Wyfold Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta 2010.

Over 60 club members and guests sat down to a delicious meal prepared and served by some of the club members. This “new format”, with a much lower ticket price, enabled all sections of the club including juniors, students and veterans to sit down together and enjoy a relaxed and entertaining evening.

The Loughborough Students who train at and with the club also had a good presence at the meal. Ed Whitely, their president, gave a speech outlining just how successful the association between the Loughborough Students and the Union had been over the previous season. With thanks to Lucy and her team for the food, and to everyone who gave a speech or otherwise helped in any way, the evening was considered to be a great success.

The Nottingham and Union Mens 8 were victorious at Trent Head on Sunday, winning the Mens 8s division in 15:19 min:s. This means that they are also winners of the Cliff Booth Memorial Trophy for 2010.

They beat the Henley 8 by a margin of 2 seconds, with Agecroft 3rd and Nottingham RC 4th. The Union IM2 8+ came home in 14th place.

The Nottingham and Union 8 were victorious again - this time at the Men’s Head of River! The Jackson Trophy is back at the Union, and back on Trentside, where it originates from.

Starting relatively low in the running order for a fast boat, they finished the race 26th in a time of 18:13 minutes, an extremely impressive result. The Loughborough Students also had a fantastic race, winning the Intermediate 3 pennant in a time of 18:23 min.