Boat Naming 31 Jul 2011

Posted by: Geoff Brewer on Sunday, 07 August

Vice Chairman Steve Archer's festive barbecue last Sunday was the high point, so far of the BOARC 2011 social calendar. Attended by young and old and several dogs, It had everything; delicious food and drink, live music, and good fun and plenty of gossip amongst genuine friends. The live music was wonderful; played soulfully and then boisterously by Arch, Jim, Tamsin and Alex on saxophones and clarinet supplied by Arch. None of us had realised this talent lay amongst us until it melodiously crescendo’s forth between the banks of the Avon. A new 4+ was ceremonially named the 'Jim Brown' with champagne. Saxophonist Jim thought boats are usually only named after the dead and that perhaps he too had died (and gone to heaven). Delicious, burgers, sausages, onions, little cakes, twiglets and chocolates were washed down with all sorts of drink including home-made beer. Several club stalwarts couldn't make it mostly due to family holidays. And we were sorry that apart from Andrew Phillips and family no canoeists came. This was doubtless due to the stunning blow they had got on hearing of Simon Dark's illness. Rowers too are shocked by the news and we all urge him on to full recovery, tough competitor that he is, and we look forward to seeing him streaking up the river again very soon.

With grateful thanks to Tony Wilson for these wonderful words.