The 1980's

Extract from Chapter XV of A History of St Catherine's Rowing 1875-1999

[Extracts from Captains' Diaries]

Tony Mitchell, 1982/83

[`Centenary' Dinner] I was extremely happy as the full implication of our achievement was that we had equalled the best of 1949 when the first three College crews each got six bumps in six days. A marvellous dinner with the Master and Lady Nairne present. I managed to dig up a speech from somewhere and quoted bits from the record of the last 100 years. Some of my quotes were actually written by old members present at the dinner. The oldest member present was Alfred Drew [see Ch.6] from 1928 and he gave a marvellous speech which was well received by all. It was tremendous talking to the old boys, many of whom had appeared for drinks in the marquee in their Catz rowing caps and fantastic moth-eaten blazers.

Richard Peters 1984/85

[1st Day of Torpids] Ladies 1st VIII closed on Osler from the start. Liz Brooks came off her seat and there were one or two minor crabs but nothing bad. Coming out of the Gut our bows were rubbing along their stern, with the bow bobble alongside the cox, Jem [Jeremy Brown, cox] and the crew felt the bump; they did not acknowledge but Jem wound them down to light pressure. Seeing this I asked the umpire if she was giving a bump, she said yes. Within seconds the whole of Timms raft filled up, everyone was applauding as the women pulled in - Head of the River.

Photo: The 1985 Women's 1st Torpid about to bump Osler to take over the Headship. Crew: Gill Rhodes (bow), Hellen Newport, Liz Brooks, Hilary Roberts, Ros Temple, Cathy Panter-Brick, Marie-Clare Sowerby, Sarah Cawthray (str), Jeremy Brown (cox).