Rowing greats celebrate two centuries of sport’s most successful club

THE first talk of this year was with Andy Trotman, editor of The First 200 Years, a comprehensive account of the history of Leander Club.

The book was published in 2018 to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the club at the initiative of a group of Leander stalwarts.

A show of hands revealed that many of the 42 attendants had a copy of the book but that few had read the whole thing.

As the editor of the book, Trotman had the job of curating diverse contributions.

The book is structured with chronological chapters about the history of Leander interspersed with ones about specific aspects, including treasures, the Olympic Games and women at Leander.

Trotman had arranged for various contributors to speak about their input into the book so we would hear first-hand information.

Debbie Bruwer (née Flood), winner of multiple Olympic medals and the first female captain of Leander, talked about women’s rowing.

Paul Mainds told us about how the book fitted within the bicentenary celebrations at the club. Jeremy “Rass” Randall coloured in the story of how the Leander committee had changed hands in the Eighties in a “pink revolution”.

Sir George Cox told how he had shaped the chapter about the Leander and the Olympics. This has eyewitness accounts from club athletes at different Games. One of those was Dick Lester, current president of Leander, who competed at the 1976 Olympics. It was so interesting to hear his story in person.

Mike Sweeney, former chairman of Henley Royal Regatta, told various stories about Leander at the regatta.

Ivor Lloyd, who was captain, director of rowing and chairman of Leander, provided various anecdotes.

Another attendant was Tim Crooks who has Olympic, world and numerous Henley Royal Regatta medals to his name and is featured in the book.

He revealed he is in the process of writing a rowing book himself which will be published towards Christmas.

Trotman had brought along a valuable silver goblet, which was circulated around the room.

He certainly delivered a stimulating and enjoyable meeting and all those present left knowing more about the 200-year history of Leander Club.

• The First 200 Years, which was shortlisted for the Daily Telegraph’s Sports Book Awards in 2019, is available to purchase at shop.leander.co.uk/bicentenary-
book-3287-p.asp

Irene Hewlett