Strathpeffer and District Community Rowing Club members look back on a memorable year
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LOCKDOWNS and the uncertainties of the coronavirus crisis did little to dampen the enthusiasm of a community rowing club in Ross-shire.
At its AGM, the Strathpeffer and District Community Rowing Club heard from chairperson Lori MacGregor the club had continued to stay active by engaging with members and providing online training for new coxes.
During 2020 the club had several rows and "come and try sessions", ran a curry and tunes social evening and continued building its second St.Ayles skiff.
WhatsApp proved a lifeline between members during the lockdowns with Hazel Inglis appointed the club’s Covid officer. Gordon Robb built a "perfect" beautiful scale model of Grebe,the club's first skiff.
A donated Shetland yoal kit now stored at Brahan awaits enthusiastic future builders.
There was some skiff building and rowing last summer and a new welfare/storage cabin was delivered to the Storehouse at Foulis.
In December, Grebe was taken to the Highland Museum of Childhood at the Victorian Station in Strathpeffer where Santa give out presents to a long queue of excited children.
In late December, lockdown meant rowing and building had to stop and in January 2021 an online AGM included a chairperson’s Award to Hazel Inglis for her work and in assisting with IT for the online coxing course.
Quintin Stevens of the Storehouse was thanked for his continued support and cooperation.
The current office-bearers are Lori MacGregor, chairperson; Rod Richard, secretary and Bill Arthur, Treasurer. The club is on a healthy financial footing thanks to income from grants, membership fees and donations – and membership numbers have increased.
Members come from across the county including Dingwall, Strathpeffer, Conon Bridge, Muir of Ord, Lochluichart, Garve, Contin, Jamestown, Alness, Evanton and Invergordon.
Grants were received from the EDF Corriemoillie Strathpeffer Community Fund, Mackenzie New York Villa Trust, Port of Cromarty Firth community sponsorship programme and a Magic Little Grants from the People’s Lottery .
The club had teams at the recent Golspie and Ullapool regattas and staged its own event at Storehouse of Foulis at the weekend.
New club members are welcome and further information is available on the club’s website strathpefferrowing.co.uk or by emailing strathpeffercrc@gmail.com
Pictures: Ross rowers buoyant after baton relay
Munlochy Olympian lands university rowing post
Milestone for Strathpeffer rowing group
