Newark Rowing Club names nine new boats during 150th anniversary year
A large crowd gathered at Newark Rowing Club on Sunday for the first of many celebrations marking the club's 150th anniversary.
Members took part in a club photograph before a naming ceremony for nine boats began.
The boats were named after former members of the club and two deceased chairmen of the Newark Youth Trust.
The Newark Youth Trust boats were named after Alan Haines and Tony Colton — they were specifically named for boats that went to the club's juniors section.
Malcolm Ellison represented the family of Alan Haines, and Sue Lovell represented her husband Tony Colton.
"Newark Rowing Club has benefited massively from the kind donations of equipment from the Newark Youth Trust," said Head Coach Ashley Cowley.
"Their help and support means we can continue to make rowing an accessible sport to children in the town and help them develop through the rowing world."
The biggest boat that underwent the ceremony was the new women’s 8+ shell which was named after the club's former president Ray Smith who died earlier this year at the age of 90.
Several current members of the club had boats named after them including Simon Edmonson who is known as Edmo, and who has acted
Kate Thomas, Jane Hindmarsh, and club trustee James Wilkinson also received the honour of having a boat named after them.
A lifelong member of the club, John Underwood, who joined in the 1950s was also honoured, at 86-years-old the club said he still gets out on the water twice a week.
Head coach Cowley, who has achieved a myriad of accolades in the rowing world had his name recorded on one of the nine boats as well.
Among Cowley's achievements are being a six-time England International, achieving the title of national champion 13 times, and breaking two world records.
“This has been a brilliant event for the club," said club captain Andy Joy.
"To have such a large percentage of our club membership times, turn out for this event is fantastic to see.
"It show s how proud we are of our club and everything it has achieved.”
The club added that there will be further events celebrating their milestone anniversary as the year unfolds.
