On Saturday 25 July, a small party from Farringdon Ward Club travelled to Richmond to meet Past President Roger Pitt-Tucker and some additional rowers that he had organised, and boarded two rowing boats to row up the river to The Anglers at Teddington lock.  

The first boat sported the Club banner, and an impressive canopy under which Past Presidents, Marie France and Allan Graveson, (our cox) could sit, sheltered from the sun.  Roger took up the stroke position and after a little basic instruction in keeping time and rowing easy and hard, we set off upstream to Teddington.  It was a gloriously sunny day but we benefitted from a gentle breeze while we negotiated our way through paddleboarders and canoeists.

On arrival at the landing stage at the Anglers, we had a little trouble tying up the boat until the owner of a motor launch arrived back and moved it back a little to allow us on.  When the second boat arrived coxed by Andrew it was tied alongside the first, and we all went for refreshments and a little light lunch – where we met additional members.  The Anglers was very busy and we had not been able to book tables but we were all able to find seats to relax and talk before reembarking for the trip back.  The boats departed in reverse order, and Allan was keen to drive his crew to overtaking the second boat – shades of Ben Hur – but as other river traffic got in the way common sense prevailed and we tucked in behind.  The return voyage was assisted by the tide and the flow of the river, and at an hour was a little quicker than the outward leg.

Drinks standing by the riverside before heading back to the station and the trip home.

The additional rowers formed The Farringdon Mermaids to take part in the 2012 Queen’s Jubilee Pageant with the Farringdon Ward Club flag displayed.