Bedford Rowing Club is an amateur rowing club in Bedford, United Kingdom founded in 1886.

Bedford Rowing Club
Image showing the rowing club's emblem
LocationBedford, United Kingdom United Kingdom
Coordinates52°08′03″N 0°27′53″W / 52.13408°N 0.464844°W / 52.13408; -0.464844 (Bedford Rowing Club)
Home waterRiver Great Ouse
Founded1886 (1886)
AffiliationsBritish Rowing
boat code - BED
Websitewww.bedfordrowing.co.uk
Events
List
    • Bedford Eights and Fours Head
    • Bedford Small Boats Head (Spring)
    • Bedford Amateur Regatta
    • Bedford Quarts Sprint Regatta
    • Bedford Small Boats Head (Autumn)

History

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Despite Bedford Regatta having been founded in 1853, there is no record of any rowing clubs in Bedford until 1886. Bedford Rowing Club was founded on 15 March 1886[1] at a meeting chaired by the Mayor. It was minuted that:

  1. That it be advisable that a Rowing Club be formed in Bedford.
  2. That it be called the Bedford Amateur Rowing Club.
  3. That amateurs only, as defined by the rules of the Amateur Rowing Association, be eligible to become members.
  4. That a Committee be elected by the meeting to draw up Rules for the Club & amount of subscriptions.
  5. That all members be swimmers.

The original minutes[1] are held in the Bedfordshire archives; a copy is on display in the Club. The colours are maroon, white and blue.[2]

Current activities

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The club regularly competes across the UK at all levels and has a broad membership base, from complete novices and juniors through to senior oarsmen and veterans.

Competitions

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The club hosts three Head Races each year as well as a popular Sprint Regatta:

  • The Eights & Fours Head is held on the second Sunday in February.
  • The Spring Small Boats Head is usually held on the second Sunday in April, though the date may be changed, depending on when Easter is celebrated.
  • The Sprint Regatta is held on the Sunday between Henley Royal Regatta and the National Championships.
  • The Autumn Small Boats Head is held on the second Sunday in October.

Honours

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British champions

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Year Winning crew/s
1972 Men J18 1x[3]
1977 Men J18 2x[4]
1991 Men 2-, Men L8+, Women J18 2x, Women J16 2x, Women J16 4x [5]
1992 Men L2x[6]
1994 Women 4+ [7]
1995 Women 4-
1996 Women 4-, Women 8+, Women L2-[8]
2011 Open J15 1x [9]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Minute book containing the minutes of the public meeting, 15th Mar 1886, Bedfordshire County Council Archives. Date deposited: December 1965". Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 4 November 2018.
  2. ^ The Umpires' Handbook British Rowing, 2020: at p.43.
  3. ^ "Railton, Jim. "Nottingham in their Olympic stride." Times, 21 July 1972, p. 10". Times Digital Archives.
  4. ^ "Railton, Jim. "Rowing." Times, 18 July 1977, p. 7". Times Digital Archives.
  5. ^ ""For the Record." Times, 22 July 1991, p. 32". Times Digital Archives.
  6. ^ "Rosewell, Mike. "MacLennan's attack pays off." Times, 20 July 1992, p. 25". Times Digital Archives.
  7. ^ ""For the Record." Times, 18 July 1994, p. 22". Times Digital Archives.
  8. ^ ""For the Record." Times, 22 July 1996, p. 39". Times Digital Archives.
  9. ^ "2011 Championships - Results of Sunday Racing". British Rowing Championships. Archived from the original on 6 December 2016.
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