Page 37 - Yearbook issue try out

First session for the ladies at Greenwich

of course, include rowing, with a young,
strong and fit naval crew powering our
cutter.

And, of course, on 13 July we had
what has arguably been the event
of lockdown – the first Virtual Big
Regatta. Officially opened by the
Master, the regatta featured 13 Past
Masters contributing their personal
reminiscences of the barge and its
acquisition and successes over the
past 15 years. This provided some great
content for historians and archivists to
ponder over in years to come, not least
Past Master Stefan Fafinski’s soaking.

The leader of the men’s rowing squad,
Deputy Bargemaster Guy Leppard,
described the range of events in which
we usually participate over the year, and the A lockdown crew is not necessarily an unfit
ladies crew spoke about their aspirations for the crew, thanks to the Seven O’Clock Club. With
future. There was a recital of Hearts of Oak from gyms closed, we took professional advice to
the ratings at HMS Collingwood, and the evening develop exercises which could suit everyone,
was rounded off with some further communal from a beginner to a professional oarsman – or
patriotic singing. The Loyal Toast was given by oarswoman – and which could accommodate
Quartermaster Liveryman Mike Lyons. different levels of fitness. The sessions took place
virtually over Zoom three times a week, and the

Next year, we hope the Molesey Rowing Club will crew were joined by others from the Company who
be able to host us for a physical WCIT Big Regatta; fancied a 15-minute, early-morning workout.
it is currently planned for 31 July.
Our one major face-to-face event before lockdown
was January’s Cito lecture. Brind Waldron, Deputy
Bargemaster at the Barber Surgeons, gave an
excellent talk about the history of mayoral and
livery barges on the Thames, which were recorded
as early as 1422. They took part in the processions
to Westminster and back, when the Lord Mayor
and Sheriffs took their oaths. This continued until
1856 when the procession moved on to the land,
becoming the Lord Mayor’s Show we know today

Brind’s presentation brought the splendour of
these ancient processions to life with musical
accompaniment, but we must be thankful,
fortunately, he didn’t bring the reality of the river
which was, at that time, London’s principal sewer.

So it was an active year, albeit a different one. Let’s
Trebles all round: look forward to 2021 for wet and dry comradeship,
the Clerk travels in style at the Tudor Pull and for the success of both men’s and ladies'
squads.

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