News

Sabrina Annual General Meeting 2008

The AGM which was held in the School Boathouse on September 27^th was attended by a total of 22 members with apologies received from a further 6 members.

The President took the chair and after confirming that he would continue as President for the foreseeable future, he invited the meeting to elect, en bloc, the following:

Captain            Nick Randall   (position previously unfilled)

Treasurer         Simon Baxter (in place of Phillip Lapage who had held the fort during Simon’s absence in the Far East)

Secretary         Malcolm Davies (in place of Nick Randall)

These appointments were approved nem con.

It was also mentioned that others had volunteered their services and would assist the committee in appropriate areas e.g.:

Henley Drinks                   Secretary + Andrew & Neil Racz

Ergo Room                       Captain + Miles Duncan (more required)

Regional Rowing            Captain + Mark Nixon, Graham Davidson, Jonathon Beeston

The Secretary mentioned that the main social events of the year were both a social and a financial success and that other events would take place but on a smaller scale. He went on to propose changes to the 1961 rules which may be summarised as:

Removing the requirement to have two meetings per year and giving the Committee more flexibility in fixing the date of the AGM. (rules 10 & 11)

Removing the current and previous Captains of Boats from their position as ex officio committee members (positions which have not been taken up in recent years). (rule 3 & 6)

Making committee appointments ‘time limited’ but with the possibility of re-election. (rule 7)

Updating the life membership fee to £30 (thirty pounds). (rule 17)

These proposals had been previously published on the Sabrina Home Page of the School website and were passed nem con. The new rules will be published on the web.

The retiring Treasurer presented the accounts which showed a healthy balance and in his capacity as River Master thanked Sabrina for their help and support to RSSBC.

The Captain outlined some of the work which had been ongoing and particularly stressed the need for a new ergo room. This would probably be achieved by replacing the old boat house which is in a dangerous state, with a new two story building housing boats on the ground floor and an ergo room taking 24 ergos on the upper floor. As a result of this, the club room would be available for refurbishment. The total cost is estimated to be in the region of £350K of which the Club would need to raise approx. £250K. A number of subcommittees are being formed to oversee some of the projects.

DVD Films of the 2007 Regatta

Two new compelling DVD Films have been produced the proceeds of which will be donated towards the prospective Boat House Clubroom Refurbishment and New Boat Club Ergo Room   

A film of the 2007 Henley Royal Regatta which includes all five races is available for order (running time approximately 60 minutes). A  DVD film of the RSSBC at home is also available (running time approximately 75 minutes).

£20 each plus £1 p and p. B. N. McKibbin Private A/C RSSBC-DVD and posted to: 29 Broad Street Ludlow Shropshire SY8 1NJ England.

Email: bmckibbin@tiscali.co.uk

Sabrina Drinks (Henley Saturday Evening)

The Sabrina Club Henley Drinks Party was very well attended with over 150 Sabrina members and supporters and many under 35’s continuing to make a good appearance. Members continue to make helpful donations and take advantage of purchasing available Sabrina Regalia (ties and bow ties etc). Many stayed over to witness the amazing final where the 1^st V111 won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup by one foot. The dates for Henley Royal Regatta in 2008 are Wednesday 2^nd July to Sunday 6^th July.

Henley Drinks for Wednesday supporters and parents of the competing 1^st VIII.

The “Wednesday Drinks” were held at the same location (Butlers Field BB228) with greater attendance and lunch provided by the school. This again gave an opportunity for parents, crew members, coaches and supporters to meet at the opening day of the Regatta and provide useful rendezvous location.

Old Salopian Golf Society and Sabrina Club Henley Regatta Golf Meeting and Supper

The Golf day and supper was again held on the Tuesday of Henley Week. With the assistance of Tim Lewis (Hon Secretary of the O S Golf Society) this was highly successful. Participants included many Sabrina members who had previously won their Henley Royal Regatta Event when rowing in their respective RSSBC First VIII.

Henley Royal Regatta 1982 Crew Reunion

A reunion was held during the Saturday lunchtime for members of the 1982 First VIII crew (see picture). The 1982 crew was the first to win what is termed as  the triple, this being the Schools’ Head of the River Race, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother’s Cup for Championship VIIIs at the National School's Regatta as well as their event at Henley, the Special Race for Schools. They were undefeated and pushed Eton to second place at the National Schools' Regatta. Eton went on to win the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. 

The entire crew and coach (Nick Bevan) attended which gave the opportunity for members (and families) to meet after a twenty five year gap. Many of the crew members continued to row after leaving the School and particular mention should be given to Vaughan Thomas the cox. After winning the triple with Shrewsbury and also a 1981 Henley win with Shrewsbury, Vaughan was also a member of the GB Junior Squad for the 1981 and 1982 World Championships. Subsequently Vaughan was a member of GB Senior Squad for five World Rowing Championships, as well as the 1986 Commonwealth Games and 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul where he won an Olympic Bronze medal in coxed fours with Matthew Pinsent being a member of the crew. Furthermore Vaughan along with Sabrina member John Garrett (Rt 1976-81) were members of the Nautilus VIII which won the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 1986.    

Boat Naming Ceremony

A second Boat naming ceremony took place at the boat house on Friday 8^th June. Thanks to the generous support of Peter Nickerson and other current parents a second Empacher VIII was purchased for use by the School Second VIII. At the request of Peter Nickerson the eight was named after Giles Bell the current Housemaster of School House. This years School 2^nd VIII were winners of the Elsenham Cup for Schools second eights at the National Schools’ Regatta as well as winning the Second  Eights event at the Schools’ Head of the River Race where they finished sixth overall and set a new course record for second eights beating their own course record from the previous year.

 Acknowledgments

Sabrina Club would wish to give special thanks to the following parents and Sabrina members for help this year.

Miles Duncan (SH 1959-64) parent of 2007 1^st VIII crew member Sean Duncan (joint Captain of Boats) for the immense and successful work with regard to fund raising for the boat club.

Without Brian McKibbin and particularly Nick Putnam and Graham Davenport parents of this year’s 1^st VIII crew members, the whole of this year’s season would not have been recorded. Graham was able to record each race from the umpires launch and Nick the closing stages of each race. 

Due to the generosity of Brian McKibbin (SH 1943-8) the boat club now have the facility of DVD recording equipment which enables coaches to show crew members where rowing style can be improved more effectively immediately after outings.

Michael Taylor, parent of 2007 1^st VIII crew member Luke Taylor (joint captain of boats and Head of School) for assistance with fund raising.

Considerable gratitude is owed to Neil Racz (Rt 1983-1988) and Andrew Racz (Rt 1991-1996) for their continued support for the Sabrina Henley entertainments as well as Justin Clark (Rt 1973-8) and Neil Hargreaves (I 1973-8) for assistance with the 1982 Crew Reunion.    

RSSBC Memorabilia

During the past few years many members have kindly donated memorabilia of their happy boating days with the RSSBC including Henley prizes which include Medals and silver oars. It is anticipated that these will in due course be on display. Any donations of memorabilia will be gratefully received and looked after with care. We have already placed pictures of the 1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985 and 1985 1^st VIII crews which were all winners of the Special Race for Schools at Henley. The Secretary is currently trying to locate pictures of the 1975 1^st VIII as well as all Elsenham Cup, West Cup and Public Schools Challenge Vase (Marlow Regatta) winners. Please contact the Secretary, Nick Randall, if you can help.   

Shrewsbury Room at Leander Club

Sabrina Members are reminded of the availability of the Shrewsbury Room at Leander Club. The bedroom is individually designed to reflect the history of the RSSBC and includes an en-suite bathroom and a high standard of facilities. At the time of writing rates are £90 for single occupancy and £110 for double occupancy and include full English breakfast. The dining facilities are of an exceptionally high standard. Sabrina members wishing to stay should contact Sheila Harrington at Leander Club on 01491-575 782 or the Sabrina Secretary Nick Randall on 01824-707953.