Monmouth School Rowing Club have had an eventful year, though sadly a lot of it didn’t take place on the water! Unfortunately Covid-19 wiped out a lot of the competitive summer but, as this newsletter has reported, many online regattas and training events took place and showed the resilience of both the boys and the staff. However the global pandemic wasn’t the only issue which the club has faced this year as you may recall, if you can cast your mind back to February, things became a little damp and the boathouse itself was flooded to a depth of over 3 ft. But, after a great deal of effort from staff and boys, with welcome support from the school, the boat club has now been reconfigured in order to create a brand new, larger ergo room and smaller workshop alongside. Given the huge support, and the standing ovation that there was for Derek Barton, former boatman of the school, at the 150th Anniversay Dinner last year, the club has decided to name the new room after him, and it is hoped that there will be the possibility for a formal opening of The Derek Barton Room some time in 2021.
Mr John Griffiths, Head of Rowing, said, “The room is already being put to good use and thankfully the school is able to row in crew boats at the moment (unlike most clubs in Wales). We have been able to boat two VIIIs from the Sixth Form as well as another two VIIIs from Year 11. So, we have the numbers [of rowers] and I firmly believe we have the talent too. So if, and when, we are allowed to race this year, I am very optimistic about the possible outcomes.” Well done to all the boys and staff who helped make the boat club even better than before, and good luck with the season!