HENRY'S EIGHT, Lent 97

Alumni Steering Committee inaugurated

The Steering Committee was officially installed at an inaugural ceremony at the Lent Bumps Supper on 1st March with Richard Owens (1960) as its first Honorary President, Christopher Saunders as Chairman, and Leo Sharpston (1975) as Senior Treasurer, as well as 16 Fellows from a wide variety of decades and rowing backgrounds completing the set-up of this inaugural Steering Committee of 1997.

Henceforth, the Steering Committee will provide advice, expertise and most importantly a measure of continuity in the face of the constant change of student oarsmen and women. From your point of view as a member of the Alumni Association, the Steering Committee will hopefully ensure that the Association will continue even after its student founders and the officers responsible for giving it its present format have left King's.

As part of the inauguration ceremony the new Honorary President, was given the President's Book by the last Student President, marking the revival of the tradition of keeping a journal. Despite intensive research it appears that the custom, which had been maintained since the foundation of the Club in 1858, was forgotten after 1966 when a new President's Book was lost and never replaced. Starting from 1995, the President and Captains will now keep separate journals (in the President's and Captain's Book respectively).

Internal prizes at KCBC

In addition to the one existing prize (the King's Challenge Sculls) and in order to foster internal competition and excellence, the Club has created a number of internal prizes which aim to cover the width and depth of talent and dedication in the Club.

The senior level will be covered by the King's Challenge Sculls (for the best sculler of the year), and the Cadbury and Gill Medals (for the year's most successful men's and women's crews respectively). Developing talent will be rewarded by the Stonehart Novice Shield (for the best novice of the year), whilst those dedicated to the Club without actually moving an oar, may be presented with the Saunders Cup.

At the Lent Bumps Supper, Chris Saunders was the first to be presented with the Cup created in his name for his unrivalled dedication to the Club over the past 50 years (!) or so. The award came as quite a surprise to Chris, as the Club had endeavoured, and succeeded, in keeping it all a secret until the President actually presented the Cup.

Ceri Jones was awarded the Stonehart Novice Shield for her impressive performance in Michaelmas term (ERRATUM: In the last issue we reported that Sarah Moore raced in the Senior Fairbairns last term - it was actually Ceri. Apologies to both - Ed.).

News & Views

Our recent appeal for help in building Alumni Association membership has been very successful. By the time of going to press, 28 alumni had joined the Association as a direct result of current members reacting to our letter. Thank you for your help and please keep recommending us to your friends - it is obviously very effective!

We have managed to track down two more internationals to be added to the Blues, Colours and Internationals board to be unveiled at the Mays Events 1997. They are Robert Marple who rowed for Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) and Lindsay Burns who we understand won a world champs. gold medal in a U.S. lightweight four in 1988.

The Boat Club web page (at http://www.kingsboatclub.com/ ) now has its own archive section containing information on historic crews and officers, an index to all photographs stored in the archives and much more. The web page is also a good place for anyone interested in the latest race results and developments within the Boat Club.

Dates and Events for your Diary

Easter term '97

The May Bumps will be held 11th - 14th June. The Mays Events on 14th & 15th June will include a boathouse reception after the races, the May Bumps Supper, overnight accommodation in College on Saturday, as well as a champagne breakfast and an alumni outing on Sunday. Please book your place(s) and overnight accommodation using the invitation sent with this newsletter. If you did not receive an invitation, please request one from the Alumni Association Secretary.

The men's first eight will be training at Würzburg, Germany (one-week camp at the beginning of April), and will be racing at Szczecinski, Poland (3/4 May), Cambridge Regatta (17/18 May), Valenciennes, France (31 May / 1 June), the May bumps (11-14 June), the Henley qualifiers (27 June), and if successful in the qualifiers, Henley Royal Regatta (2-6 July). If you would like to meet the crew at any of these venues, please let us know.

Please address all correspondence to The Alumni Association Secretary, Kings College Boat Club, 842 King's College, Cambridge CB2 1ST. Fax: 01223-331347. Written contributions to Henry's Eight on any Boat Club topic would be gratefully received and should be sent or faxed to the Alumni Association Secretary.