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GROSVENOR ROWING CLUB CELEBRATES ITS
150TH ANNIVERSARY AT CHESTER CATHEDRAL
The Grosvenor Rowing club recently celebrated its 150th
Anniversary with a spectacular Gala Dinner at Chester Cathedral.
Double Olympic rowing champion Tom James, MBE was guest
speaker at the event, which was also attended by the Duke of
Westminster and almost 300 past and present club members in
October. Grosvenor Rowing Club shares this sesquicentennial milestone with
15 international rowing clubs, and was delighted that James Freis, a
member of two of these clubs (Potomac Rowing Club, Washington
DC, and FRG Germania, Frankfurt) could join the celebrations - a
great example of the fellowship found in international rowing and
sport.
Tom James reminisced about his own experiences rowing on the
Dee in Chester, where during his time at The Kings School he was
coached by Neville Orme, life member of Grosvenor Rowing Club
(GRC) and currently the Veteran’s coach there. He also entertained
guests by talking about his career highlights including GB victories
at the Beijing and London Olympics and rowing at the World
Championships. Members from a number of the clubs have crossed paths at events
this year including Henley Royal Regatta and the World Masters
Regatta in Budapest, Hungary.
The Duke of Westminster’s attendance marked 50 years since his
Grandfather presented the club with an ‘Admiral of the Dee’ Regalia
Oar to commemorate its Centenary in 1969. The club owes much
gratitude to the Duke and his family; his Great Grandfather’s
generosity was crucial to the Club when it was founded in 1869 and
the Grosvenor estate’s support has enabled the club to occupy a prime
position on the River Dee ever since.
The Duke presented the following awards:
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The Chairman’s cup was awarded jointly to Ellen Mitchell and
Georgina Barlow.
The Captains Cup was awarded to Christine Fawcett.
The Coxes Cup was awarded to Josh Craven, one of the youngest
members of the Club.
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The event was organised by Grosvenor Rowing Club with superb
catering by Taste, the outside event division of Liverpool FC.
Grosvenor Rowing Club is an ‘open to all’ Community Amateur
Sports Club made up of individuals from 13 to 80+ years. The
club caters for juniors, seniors, veterans, adaptive rowers and high
performance athletes with Olympic aspirations.
This anniversary celebration attracted notable alumni and celebrated
all that was good about Grosvenor as a Club. It raised over £5000
towards the 150th anniversary Development Fund which aims to
repair the roof and improve the changing facilities. The club’s team of
enthusiastic and committed volunteers will continue to build on this
event’s wonderful success and provide the support and guidance to
lead the club towards its 200th year.
For more information, please visit:
www.grosvenor-rowingclub.org.uk/