Ely Rowing Club unveils new double scull
The Isle of Ely Rowing Club has taken possession of a new double scull purchased with a grant from The Rowing Foundation and funding from the Henley Stewards Trust.
The aim of The Rowing Foundation is to encourage young people to become involved in the sport and the new double scull will be used by the club’s up and coming junior double sculling partners.
Kathy Neal and Alex Marshall in the Junior category and Jenny Kingsmill and Anna Towriss in the Junior 16 doubles will be using the new boat in Head of the River races this winter. Assistant Junior Coach Victor Bridges commented: "The new boat provides great motivation for our juniors to train hard and work on their sculling technique."
The boat was named in memory of Tony Merrifield, the club’s late vice-president who was an unfailing supporter of young people’s rowing in Ely. As a boy he had manned the Oxford stake boat in the wartime 1944 University Boat Race which was held in Ely. He was a great supporter of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the race and was unanimously elected vice president of the Isle of Ely Rowing Club in 2004, when the present club was founded.
Mrs Poppy Merrifield accompanied by her family, was guest of honour at the boat naming ceremony at the Isle of Ely Rowing Club. Club Chairman Derek Pickersgill commented: "Tony is remembered with great affection. We miss him very much and are grateful for his involvement in the club’s formative years."
