On June 17th and 18th 2010, four 60+ year-old members of Blades, the Christ's College Boat Club alumni organisation, succeeded in sculling a coastal quad from Bedford to Cambridge, in aid of funds for the rebuilding of the Boat House. The total distance covered was 60 miles and this required two 11-hour days, chiefly because of the time required (up to half an hour) to traverse each of the 18 locks, which were discouragingly designed for high-sided Motor-powered pleasure craft.  The crew, comprising Chris Lloyd (m. 1959), Robin Kerr (m. 1962), Gavin Suggett (m. 1966) and Tom Swallow (m. 1965) were superlatively coxed and encouraged throughout by Debbie Lloyd.

The planned 8 a.m. start from Bedford Rowing Club was delayed for over an hour because Stroke's seat had become detached and lost during the journey by trailer from Cambridge. Nick Acock, Boathouse Manager and Coach, loyally supported by outgoing Men's Boat Captain, George Watson, and incoming Captain of Boats, Charles Heron, rapidly manufactured a new seat from a piece of plywood.

 
The first lock, only 50 yards downstream, was bypassed by alighting at Bedford School Boat House and portaging through to the lower River Great Ouse.  The bank team followed by road and helped to carry the boat around Cardington Mill Sluice, and Castle Mill Lock that was closed for repair. Thereafter the crew were supported by two willing wives, Mary Swallow and Sarah Kerr, no mean rowers themselves, who appeared and cheered at various locks and vantage point throughout the two days.  The crew quickly realised that portage at subsequent locks was too strenuous and hazardous. As each lock appeared, Cox, Stroke, 3 and 2 scrambled ashore to manage lock gates, sluice key, and painters. Bow remained aboard to fend off the lock walls and paddle through to whatever tiny landing stage or steep piece of grassy bank was available beyond. 
  

At least on the first day, this variety of activity was a relief to tired legs and numbed posteriors, as was the most exquisite beauty of the river banks and bird life. The crew were greeted by St Neots' Boat Club and lunched nearby, finally arriving at Hemingford Grey as the light was failing.

Friday offered a more relentless challenge, with fewer locks but longer stretches of concentrated rowing, with snagging weeds and bulrushes. After lunch at the Lazy Otter, a short delay ensued at the mooring when one of the squad lost reading glasses into the water; one perquisite of veteran rowing is that luncheon menus have to be perused if energy levels are to be sustained. Just before Ely, the expedition turned right into the River Cam. Finally, with relief, the crew pulled up at Christ's Boat House around 6:30 p.m., cleaned and put away the faithful Camrowers' Quad, and staggered to the Old Spring restaurant in their by now grubby but still proudly numbered tee-shirts

Next year's row will be from Nottingham to Lincoln on June 17th and 18th 2011; your on-going support is highly appreciated and will ensure the future of the boat house for the next 130 years.

You may donate on line at: /alumni/supporting-christs/donations/  by clicking the Donate OnLine Button and in the box for 'Additional details > I would like to support' please select:  E-Boat Club.

Tom Swallow          
Christ's College Boat Club

mail-to: tom.swallow@csiltd.co.uk
Mobile :  07718 581286  
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