" T h e B u l l "

T a u r u s N e w s l e t t e r Issue 3, March 2005

Website www.taurusboatclub.co.uk/ Email info@taurusboatclub.co.uk

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Got any gossip?

News, views, photosand other evidence?Can go online or in thenext newsletter. Longstories and photoswhich don’t fit here cango on the website.

We’re keen to be intouch with Taurusmembers from allgenerations, so don’thold back, send uswhatever you’ve got.

On active service

Alumni in the militaryare getting morenumerous – nearlyenough to have aCombined ServicesTaurus entry at aregatta one day. Fromrecent Brookesgraduates alone weknow of EmmaWoodhams and AlHeathcote in the Army,Ed Gray and AidanRiley in the Navy,while Rob Edmondsonis joining up as anArmy physio. Anymore?

See also page 5 fornews of what the morevisible ex-Brookes andex-Poly boys and girlsare up to.

INDEX

2 Index and committee information3 Chairman’s Welcome4 “Doing it blind” – Adaptive World Champs 20035 Rowing the Kiel, Mike Green and active Taurus6 Stag nights, Wargrave frolics and Lake Geneva7 Vet’s Head 20048 On scribble patrol... HRR 20049 ....and Taurus abroad10 Recreating the first Boat Race11 A Hazy Recollection of Henley12 Treasurer’s Report13 Family news, Henley women, Kit update14 Dinner, dates, Lord Mayor’s, etc.15 Pix16 More Schinias photographs

TAURUS COMMITTEE

Chairman and BigCheese

Pete Lowe

Vice-Chairman Alex GandonSecretary Vicky BrierleyTreasurer Simon SpeirsSocial Team Nick Dagg, John Gelling, Ash

Glover, Ben LewisPublicity Rachel Quarrell, Ben LewisRowing Secy Phil BakerKitmeister Danny MarettOBUBC rep (M) Henry Bailhache-WebbOBUBC rep (W) Caroline O’ConnorCommittee members Dave Peill, Jane Macmillan, Phil

Campbell

Friends Reunited

There’s now a Taurus section on the famous website.

To find it, go to www.friendsreunited.com and look at‘sports teams’ on the left-hand side of the screen.

Pick ‘Watersports’, enter ‘Taurus’ and click on the TaurusBoat Club link to get the list of members.

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CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

What a couple of years Taurus have enjoyedsince the last newsletter. I apologise for thetime it has taken to get this out but can onlythank the team who have put this together.Specifically, Rachel Quarrell (Telegraphrowing correspondent) supported by Ben “thescribe” Lewis, and the other contributors whohave spent a great deal of time helping.Thank you all and I hope you enjoy this issue.

The Veterans Head is upon us again. Taurusis looking to notch up the hat trick this year. In2004 the 1st eight followed up their recordbreaking 2003 win with a slightly tighter 1second victory pushing London RC in tosecond for the second year in a row. Three ina row would be the first time that has everbeen achieved. In the 2004 race Taurus alsoboated two further crews made up of “allstars” of past Poly and Brookes history. Thecompetition between the two was pushed tothe limit – as was the lycra – with Taurus 2sneaking a 10 second victory over their eldersin Taurus 3. Watch out T2 in 2005!

Rather belatedly I would like to mentionanother “first” for Taurus. This was achievedin the coaching capacity by Alex Henshilwoodwho took the Pangbourne College 1st eight tovictory in The Princess Elizabeth Cup atHenley in 2003. Alex has now moved to teachat Eton and has already made his mark thisseason with his crew – the Eton 1st eight –winning the Schools Head.

Henley 2003 did not produce the sort ofresults we have come to expect from Brookesbut 2004 saw the Visitors return to Brookes –although I felt the crew should incorporateTaurus in the name with three of the crewpaid up members. In addition to the Visitors,Taurus members featured in many of theevents with winners in the Ladies, Stewards,and Wyfolds.

Of course in the International arena Taurusmembers continue to feature prominently. Tohave been on the finish line in Athenswatching on as Steve “The Terminator”Williams won gold with the coxless four wasan amazing moment. When Rowley Douglas(Taurus and Olympic gold 2000, alsowatching from the stands) shouted to tell mehe had Steve on the mobile phone the

moment he got out of the boat, I tried to shoutback. However, all the other Brit supporterswaving Union Jacks and calling Steve a herodrowned me out. Amazing to think that he isjust one of the lads who has gone through theSpratley training machine. Just shows how fara few 20-minute ergos can take you.

Congratulations Steve and keep going.

On behalf of Taurus I also extend our bestwishes to our other Internationals includingJonno Devlin (Olympic eight) and of course toAlex Partridge who had his Olympic hopesdashed by a cruel injury just weeks beforeAthens. We are looking forward to seeing youguys at the next Olympics. Brookes andTaurus have many other individuals knockingon the door of International duty and we lookforward to supporting you whenever we can.

One man who has however slightly loweredhis standards I am ashamed to report is JoeVon Maltzahn who has defected down the hillto that “other” university and will be doingbattle with the light blues in this year’s boatrace. Sorry Joe, in all seriousness good luckfor March 27th.

Lads – how about a Taurus Grand crew in2009 after the next Olympics?!? (One lastcoxing duty Rowley?)

Changing the subject entirely I am aiming tostand down at the end of this year after thedinner which we will be holding in the autumn.I will be proposing to the committee that theChairman stands for a maximum of 2 yearswith a view that new blood is regularlyintroduced in order that the position does notbecome stale.

I don’t even know how long I’ve been goingfor! I believe that with a regular change ofleadership we will be able to encourage morenew members with new ideas and there willbe regularly renewed enthusiasm to organiseevents and “publish newsletters”.

Please keep coming to the events, supportingthe Taurus cause and catching up with oldmates.

Pete Lowe

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Doing it blind

Paul Askham-Spencer was in the successful adaptivecoxed fours who won gold at the last two WorldChamps (2003 men’s 1000m and 2004 mixed 1000m).We asked him to describe his experiences in Milan2003. The adaptive fours race with visually impairedathletes – all the rowers have relatively high levels ofimpairment and to even the field all (except the cox)wear masks to reduce sight to zero.

“During the heat we had won by around 25seconds, which gave us a fairly good idea wewould win the event. With this in mind wedecided that during the final we didn’t wantany info on where our rivals were, because, ifall went to plan, it would be irrelevant.

Sat on the start with our masks on (hideousblacked out ski masks), I could hear thesound of the other crews to left and right.There were two either side, and I could hearthem taking strokes, their coxes givingcommands, and the umpire instructing thecoxes. Usually you feel nervous at the start,but all I had to worry about was Loretta’svoice (the masks helped concentrate themind). With blades squared and buried weheard the go and off we went. As well as avisual impairment our stroke man AlanCrowther has a slight hearing impairment, sothe rest of us pulled, and he followed us forthe first stroke, squeezing when he felt ourpressure. Despite our unorthodox startingarrangement we had a clean start, and after12 strokes I could no longer hear the othercrews’ blades. I took this as a good sign andrelaxed into our race plan.

Richard Spratley would have hated us. Withthe exception of Matthew Harrison who is theyoungest rower to represent GB at a seniorchampionship, we were all under 6 feet tall,all 80 kilos or less, and only rated 32 for mostof the race. We had not had the best build upto the race, so a low rate helped us keepeverything thing together. The day before we

flew out we learned we had lost our originalstroke Mark Pollock (LM2- Commonwealthsilver medallist) due to illness. Hugh Huddystepped in at the last minute, and withouthaving rowed together in Britain werearranged the seating, swapped the riggingaround, and had a good five-day stint beforewe raced. During this time our coach SimonGoodey and cox Loretta Williams worked amiracle with us, blending our different stylestogether.

Despite our weaknesses we had a fantasticrow, all hooked up and following together, itfelt easy. About 300 to go however alarmbells started ringing, because I heardmovement off to my right. As our cox wasn’tgiving us feedback from other crews I had noidea who or what it was, later it turned out tobe an umpire launch heading up the lake inthe far lane, but at the time I felt underpressure. We had been going well, but put alot in, and if someone had come back at thispoint we could not have done much. Luckilythat wasn’t the case and we wound the rateup and crossed the line first. When Lorettascreamed “GOLD GB!” I was moreconcerned with where the next crew was,thinking we had been chased almost level.Later it emerged we had won by 24 seconds,so after all Richard may have forgiven ourless then outstanding erg scores and dismalrate.

We met loads people going up for themedals, Sir Steve and Tim Foster were there,as well as the coxless four coming down afterwinning their silver. It was unreal. When wehad the medals on and the National Anthemplaying it was the best feeling in the world,one we all hpe to repeat in the future.”

Paul Askham-Spencer

And they did – gold again with a different bow pair in2004, this time by nearly 3 L.

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NUTTERS ON THE KIEL

In late September 2004 Jonno and Ben Lewis were called upon to row in a GB VIII of somedescription over the ludicrous distance of 12.7km on the Kiel Canal in Germany. A bit unkind so soonafter the Olympics. Fortunately for Ben (barely recovered from a summer of celebrations) and Jonno(just stepped off the plane from a few tough weeks de-training in SA) this was reduced to just under12km, following a clash between the Dutch and GB VIIIs after an over-zealous attempt by the GermanTV launch to get as close as possible to the home side. Everyone restarted, the Brits briefly took thelead, but then reality set in. The opposition cleared off (more or less), though GB remained in touchwith the Dutch and finished less than a length behind. No mean feat after 36 minutes of racing.

To measure it against a Taurus perspective, the distance was 2.7km further than racing from thebottom lock to the top lock at Wallingford. It would have you finishing somewhere near theShillingford Bridge Hotel if you went straight up through the top lock. Perhaps Richard should put inan entry, as it is a good kick-start into fitness for the early season, and makes the Fours’ Head seemsludicrously short!

BL

On Active Service

Rumours of Taurus and ex-Brookes members unsportingly pullingon Lycra abound this season. Tommy Burton has defected toLeander, and with Ben Lewis (and by the way other old OBUmembers Steve Williams, Alex Partridge and Brookes-for-7-weeksMatt Langridge) will be defending Leander's Head of the Rivertitle on 19th March. A short while ago they went down to Joe vonMaltzahn, rowing at 4 in the Oxford Blue Boat: he's doing adiploma at Kellogg College with plots to row for Christ Church inthe summer bumps, if not racing at the Dorney World Cup. Butthat's not all. Dave Gillard has been seen in a boat several timesthis year, Nick Mead is at Henley, Paul Askham-Spencer istraining on the south coast while trying for international selectionagain, and Jack Drea did the Scullers' Head with Sideways Pullers.Mike Reynaud never stops at Molesey (is Ollie Keech still rowingtoo?), Bart Hudson and co (including Danny Harte?) are still atLondon: there are rumours that Chris Leonard is getting fit again -which could be dangerous. Vicky Brierley is doing the odd bit atUpper Thames, Carla Ashford is in the top Thames RC eight andWoody's at IC and apparently doing the Ironman in Lanzarote laterthis year. Unlike Burton, Dan Marett still can't seem to work outhow to cut the umbilical and leave Brookes - or perhaps he's justbabysitting Boycey, Henry and other Taurus members, whileJonno's doing the Head with them for what seems like the nth time.Oh, and Alex Henshilwood is busy taking Eton by storm - in hissecond year of coaching there they have finally let him get hispaws on the top crews and he promptly went and won the SchoolsHead by a stonking 8 seconds. That can't be all - more will surelycome out of the woodwork by Henley. If we've left you out it'sbecause you aren't shouting loud enough - get emailing.

Mike Green

Many will rememberMike Green (‘86-’89 andTaurus member), whosadly died just afterChristmas 2003. Mikewas a very activemember of the boat clubthough most of hiscareer came after leavingthe Poly, when he tookup sculling.

Mike will also beremembered for hishighly successfulSecurity and EventManagement business,including the infamousTaurus Bar at HenleyRoyal Regatta.

An oak tree was plantedat the Brookes SportsCentre in April 2004 inmemory of Mike, at aquiet memorial service.

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STAGS DO IT AGAIN

After the epic that was RowleyDouglas' stag do in 2003 (our man onthe spot described "Fred on top formand Steve legendary getting naked"),it was time for a reprise with slightlydifferent personnel for anotherstalwart of the club. A gathering ofTaurus members occurred in mid-July 2004 for the stag do of ex-Brookes oarsman Eddie Russell.

‘Eddies Regatta’ took place in Eton,under the watchful eyes of WindsorCastle’s noble occupants. Racing wasconducted in ancient tub coxedwherries, chief umpire was AlexPartridge, launch driver Lt. A. Riley,RN.

The winning crew was the stag, Mr.E. Russell and best man, Lt. Seddon,rowing as Taurus and GuardsRowing Club, who beat Taurus BoatClub in the semi-final. Taurus wasrepresented by Messrs J. Strenner andB. Lewis, coxed by A. Clegg. Theauthor forgets who Taurus andGuards RC beat in the final due toalcohol consumption and sun-bathingduties.

WARGRAVE OR BUST

Our esteemed Chairman Pete Lowe wasspotted in kit for the second time in 2003 atWargrave Regatta. The following acid andbarely legible comments were later foundscribbled on beermats.

...."Men’s Skiff Final, between Jo von M andHenry Adams, versus Piers Ashley-Carter,yours truly and cox Vix Brierley. Jo and hismate sneaked it (canvas) on the good station,stream-assisted."

...."Taurus dongola punt crew (me, Danny M,Phil B, Vix B, Krista and Jeremy Spratley)were narrowly defeated in the semi."

.... "Bit of a controversial race against DaveBushnell in the mixed semifinal. Krista and Iconvincingly won the race during which therewas a slight clash of blades. However whilstrowing to the landing-stage we saw Bushnellappealing with his stroke-side scull floating inthe water.

Somehow he managed to entirely "lose" hisblade during our "clash". He successfully hadhis appeal upheld, we re-rowed, he won, andwent on to win the final. I’m not bitter at all!"

Sounds like the usual polite competition, then – ed.

TAURUS DO A JOB IN SWITZERLAND

In early autumn 2003 the gang of 5 (Marett, Browny, Tommy Burton, Chris Leonard and EdCurrie) took on one of the most excruciating races in existence: the 160km Geneva Tour DuLac. Danny Marett takes up the story....

"After 6 hours steady state – 2 hours on, 30 minutes off – big Tommy broke the wheel on hisseat and we had to stop (somewhere near Evian, at the far end of the lake). We were in 2nd atthe time, behind a German crew with Bobby Davro at stroke (seriously, that was his name.They had Jim Davidson at 2 as well). Ed was in bits: sore a%$e he said! Well, the Germanswon eventually. My highlight was seeing Ed in the stroke seat, dribbling. He was howeverthe best drinker."

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Vets’ Head 2004

After the roaring success of the 2003 race,three Taurus crews boated for theVeteran’s Head in March 2004.

It was a complete balls-up by theorganisers.

The Champion First Eight 2004 in all their glory!

Don’t be fooled by the pictures – it mayhave been sunny but there was quite ahooley blowing. With wind-against-stream as strong as the gales which hadcancelled the HORR the day before, wewere nevertheless told to boat, and hungaround in increasingly wild water for anhour and a half before the starters decidedto go ahead. They shortened the course toend at Hammersmith, but still had severalboats sinking, including a town club crewfrom Cambridge, who unwisely decided tobail out by going through the moored boatsat Putney, and duly crashed.

The heroic Second Eight (hmm....)

Despite all this mayhem, Taurus just goton with the job (after all, it’s not rocketscience, is it?) There were good finishesfor the C crew (32nd overall, 9th in class),and the second Vet A crew (22nd overall,also 9th in class), but the best performancecame from the defending champion Vet Acrew, which beat a feisty LRC eight by asecond and a half over the 7-minutecourse. Other Taureans raced too undervarious false colours.

Taurus Three – before racing....

The Vets' Head got their own back in 2005- the 2nd eight has to go off 5th this time,due to so many 'A' crews dropping out.

All three eights are boating fromBarn Elms on Sunday 20th Marchfor an 11am start - if you'rearound do wander up the towpathand give them some support.

RQ

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On scribble patrol

Ben Lewis gets to grips with what’s beengoing on with the Brookes students andTaurus internationals recently.

There was no fantastically quick responsewhen the President of Taurus asked for avolunteer to write an update on recent goingson. A few cursory glances into pint glassesand at passing chavs. Given that my fellowTaurus members gathered round for thispivotal meeting in the safe confines ofWetherspoons in Henley were alreadycontributing to the club; The President, chiefkit designer and the other the proud owner ofthe Pimms watering can, I felt I should offermy as yet untested journalistic skills andbroke the silence with my acceptance.

It has been a busy two years since the lastnewsletter as Brookes and Taurus rowershave spread their fame ever further, reachingOlympic Gold in Athens and impressing theinhabitants of Boston, USA with their, in noparticular order; charm, good looks androwing. On top of that the Visitors Cup isnow back in Brookes hands after a year’sabsence, as is the BUSA title. Add to that asilver won by the GB U-23 4+, all first andsecond year Brookes boys, a 7th in U-23 2-,and a strong eights performance at theUniversity Games for the second time in arow shows that all is going well.

Henley Royal Regatta 2004

In a year when neither Cambridge norHarvard went home with a win, Brookespulled one off, bringing the Visitors Cuphome again after 5 wins in 6 years. TommyBurton, Henry Bailhache and Danny Marettpulled off a fairly leisurely win aided by theconsiderable horsepower and Geordie tonesof Andrew Stubbs from the Oxford Blue

Boat. Following the drama of the 2002goose incident/re-row/dropped shoppingby certain parties etc, the 2004 final was abig day for both crews. The Brookes boysshowed the light blues some rating andtook a commanding lead by Fawley. Justas both crews were starting to think aboutwinding for home, Cambridge investigatedthe booms and ended the contest. Asubsequent appeal by CUBC was ignored.

Some of the old hands of Taurus havebeen keeping their oars in – there was asurprise win for Mike Reynaud whoseMolesey quad rowed through the Irishholders to win the best race of the day. Notbad after two crew changes during Regattaweek. This brings Mike’s medal count tosix wins, equalled by Danny Marett.

Joe von Maltzahn picked up his 5th medalin the Ladies Plate over Harvard, withBen Lewis finally breaking his duckbehind him at 5 (particularly fitting thatBen got to beat the Crimson Bastards).

Mark Watkin, an old Bowbridge oar nowrowing for London, beat Army boy AlHeathcote in the final of the Wyfold Cup ,with ex-Poly boy Colin O'Malley strokingthe London crew. Al claims that this wasonly their 9th outing! Andrew’s Seddonand McDermott were stern pair for theCombined Services VIII that reached theFriday of the Thames Cup, again aremarkable achievement after only ahandful of outings.

Ian Desmond, probably the most maturestudent in the Temple Cup final to date,coached Henley RC to a Thames Cupsemi final, as did Mr. Tim Levy with yetanother good Lady Lizzy crew.Unfortunately the Levy-Desmond showdown didn’t materialise but there is alwaysnext year.

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Steve Williams won the Stewards on hisway to Olympic Gold. It was also duringregatta week that Alex Partridge, vocalBrookes and Taurus member, discovered thathe would not be rowing in the GB 4- inAthens due to a rib and lung injury thatprevent any travel or training for six weeks.Bad luck beyond belief but Alex is alreadymaking his comeback.

The Temple once again proved a tough nutto crack with the Dutch being the dominatingforce this year, rather than the Americans,though this was aided by the strong windkilling off a fast but light Navy crew and theHarvard bowman jumping ship before theend of the Island. Clearly Harvard have beenadopting Spratley’s bail-out tactics:unfortunately the opposition were notShiplake J-16’s but eventual winners Nereus.The Brookes A boat gave Nereus theirhardest race, coming from a length deficit atthe Barrier to 3/4L at the finish, whileBrookes B made their mark by reachingFriday, losing to the A crew.

The Union Jack and the Taurus Bull

Once again the Taurus Bull has been makingwaves around the International rowingcircuit. From Brive in France to the shoresof Lake SkinnyAss in Greece where SteveWilliams crossed the line first (this isactually incorrect as it was Alex that crossed

first, his name being on the bows) beatingWorld Champions Canada, to retain GB’sOlympic title in the coxless fours.

Showing a good stiff upper lip amidst allthe tears and emotion, it was Steve thatmanaged to talk to the cameras about therace, adding that the final margin (0.08seconds) ‘was probably pretty close’before he went to receive his well deservedOlympic Gold Medal. To have had twoMonktonians and Brookes/Taurus boys inthe boat would have been too much to ask:Alex Partridge will have to wait just a bitlonger before he can try to claim his. Bothare continuing on into the next Olympiccycle.

Johnno Devlin rowed in the bow seat ofthe Olympic GB VIII which despite a welldeserved bronze in 2003 struggled all yearwith illness, injury and selection problems,to finish last of the 9 entries. Clearly thefire is still burning and he wants more andalso is carrying on.

BL

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TABS ON TOP

March 2004 saw the 150th clash between the Oix and the Tabs, also known as that bloodyBoat Race to some. Taurus stalwart and former Light Blue Dave Gillard got himselfembroiled in one of the dafter plans to celebrate the anniversary: a re-row of the famous andcontroversial first race, in 1829. Of course, that one took place at Henley, but the organisersstretched a point to get their re-row in front of the cameras on the Tideway, for Boat RaceDay (also the 175th year since the first race).

Our man on the spot tells us that training was short and sweet, the replica gig boats havingbeen finished and delivered just 10 weeks before race day. All the rowers were ex-Blues,with an average age of 30, and dressed in suitably old-fashioned sweaters and shorts.

Cambridge sported dashing pink neckties (the crew didn't adopt light blueuntil the second race), and alluring boater-headgear which got a lot ofgiggles from the excitable female spectators.

They described their fixed-seat style as "do what you do in a normal rowingboat but with a bit more body swing", and used lubricated parcel tape onfoam rubber pads to get a bit of slip on the wooden seats, but that did "wearskin off quite sensitive areas". Yeuch.

Race day had Cambridge winning the toss and choosing Surrey becausethey expected to be fitter than Oxford. Gillard had got the crew together,but didn't stay captain because by tradition this used to be the strokeman'srole.

Cambridge’s physiological suspicions proved right, and they made thecrucial move past the Dark Blues just before Hammersmith Bridge, goingon to win by five lengths. Egg-whisk ratings combined with plenty of"bell-note action" had the boats surging along, and the final winning time of23:22 was faster than the first Tideway race in 1845. All down to theirTaurus secret weapon, obviously.

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A Hazy Recollection of Henley

Ash Glover gives a newcomer’s view of the main event

“Henley Royal is an event steeped in history andtradition. A new tradition that has flourished in thesesurroundings is the Taurus Henley Barbecue. It wasthe first time for me at this event and though myrecollection is hazy, I shall attempt to tell the tale.

Saturday of regatta week and I was joined by fellowTaurus member Alex Baer. We arrived at the riverdressed to the nines and strolled down to the towpathtowards the start to get an initial soaking of theHenley atmosphere, watching racing and shoutingencouragement as the Brookes went past.

We then soaked up a liberal helping of Henley Spiritin Stewards’...... After several Pimms, it was withperfect poise and timing that we staggered saunteredacross to the Taurus Barbecue afterewards. The moststriking first impression was made by Nick Dagg,watering-can in each hand, pouring out more Pimms.Marvellous!

Several pints of Henley spirit, one drunken phone calland a very successful recruitment drive later we feltthe need to stretch our legs and wander down thetowpath. Of course we stopped briefly to top up thetankards. A serious sportsman should never allowhimself to dehydrate, especially at Henley, thepinnacle of many a rowing career...

We made it down to Remenham Farm, where we fellin with many of the Brookes oarsmen, also well-hydrated. At the close of the Barn Bar it was decidedto call it a night. Unlike our annual Henley plan ofbooking a few rooms well in advance, we had yetagain found ourselves pissed with nowhere to go. Aspot of camping was obviously in order, and so wemade our way down to the start. After a bit of ashove we found that some idiot had left a corporatehospitality tent open. What a shame.

The next morning, woken early by ravenous hunger,we walked into town. Passing the occasional reveller

from the night before, foldedunder a tree, it became clearthe tent was a stroke of genius.In town we made for Waitrose,and were shocked to find itclosed at 6 am. Not to worry,the papers were on handoutside and it was easy to gethold of the previous day’sresults. Tankard still in onepiece, the morning papers,feeling a little frayed aroundthe edges and off to thebaker’s for breakfast.Perfect.”

Ash Glover

Henley Royal action 2004

The usual suspects turned upto drink the bar dry this year,and had more to cheer aboutthan in 2003, following winsfor Taureans and Brookesrowers in the Visitors’,Stewards’, Wyfolds, Men'sQuads and Ladies’ Plate.

The Saturday night LionMeadow barbecue was arollicking affair again – itseems to grow bigger everyyear.

We’re after website pictures soif you have photographicevidence of the night’s goings-on, send them in.

In the mean time, putSaturday 2nd July 2005 inyour diaries right now: noexcuses!

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WHERE THE MONEY GOES – The Treasurer’s Report

“As treasurer I have responsibility for overseeing the money received from members andspent by the committee.  Our aim for all events is to be self-financing, if not profit-making,with the view to promote TBC to new members and, ultimately, to provide additionalresources to the Brookes Boat Club. Taurus has been running in surplus throughout itshistory (with some years a little closer to the wire than others) but has made significantcontributions to the Uni Boat club over the 20 year history of the club.  Of the estimated£15,000+ spent to date, boats (Taurus Too plus others), blades and other equipment have beenthe mainstay of the purchases. This year we have given £2,800 for the purchase of 5 ergos(sorry to any of those who have to go through the pain of using them!)

To explain how it all works.....  

We currently have 3 accounts of which only 2 are operational.  The Treasurer's accountreceives all standing orders and finances all events (Taurus Ball, Henley BBQ, entry fees,Taurus regatta, mailing and this newsletter) throughout the year.  Taurus membership is £20per year and we have approx 140 paying members.  We also have a large number of ex-Brookes and ex-Poly BC members included in a mailing list who have not either completedthe original standing order or amended their existing £10 standing order. We rely on you to dothis as we can't revise the Standing Order value. Please advise your bank or change theStanding order value on your internet banking if you have not done already - many thanks!

Treasurers Account (membership) Account Name: Taurus Boat ClubSort Code: 40-38-18Account No: 81050869

The Sponsorship (MoneyMaster) account receives all cash from a number of TBCsponsorship members who donate cash over and above their annual membership subscription. We thank all who have already set up a standing order and have regularly given this muchappreciated cash.  We would also encourage other members to set up a donation, of a value ofyour own choice, to this account.

Sponsorship Account Account Name: Taurus Boat ClubSort Code: 40-38-18Account No: 31076477

At the end of 2004, but after the recent purchase of the ergos for Brookes, we had a total of£7,682 in the 2 accounts.  So, if you do have any specific ideas for the use of this cash or howto help us raise more we would ask you to get in touch with one of the committee members.We really would encourage you to give more through sponsorship and the revision to yourmembership amount to £20.

Again - a very big thank you to all those who regularly contribute.”Simon Speirs, Treasurer

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TAURUS FAMILY NEWS

Very dependent on the gossip vine, we probably don’t know all your Taurus news. Apologiesto anyone we have omitted or misspelt, and please stay in touch!

Birthsdaughter Imogen to John Cooper and wifein August 2003

second daughter for Karen van Dessel(neé Braithwaite) in January 2004

daughter to Julia Riddlesdale (neé Scott)in February 2003

son Louis to Sam Britt in January 2003baby to Ludo

second child to Alex Hoodless

daughter Amy to Ali Smee in 2003

and a baby to Heath Harvey

Engaged - Dave Bushnell

MarriagesRowley Douglas to Tanya in November2003

Fred Scarlett to Hannah

Will Tinkler in 2003

Simon Wood in September 2004

Simon Speirs in 2003

Paul Jencks and Sam Oxford at HenleyRegistry Office in August 2003 with areception at the Oxford Brookes boathouse

Chris Marett to Lucy Dawson (ex-Poly)in February

Women at Henley

Not to be outdone by the men, Brookes'women defended their elite coxless fourstitle at Henley Women's Regatta twoweeks before the Royal, winning agripping final race against Dutch birdsSkoll by a canvas.

Brookes, ex-Brookes and Taurus girlscompeting at HRR included Alex Beeverin the Princess Royal singles, and theHWR four composited with BristolUniversity in the Remenham Challengeeights

Kit Locker

There are plenty of 100 "just do it - stilldoing it" t-shirts left, plus a couple ofTaurus ties, but the rest of the stock hasbeen run down. Things which can be re-ordered if enough people ask include poloshirts, all-in-ones, blazers, and the kit repsuggests we could do socks with theRaging Bull embroidered on. ContactDanny Marett, but make sure you say M orF when ordering all-in-ones or you mayhave to have an emergency sex change.

Question - does anyone know where ourblazer material came from? Answers on apostcard please because a re-order maydepend on it.

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Taurus Dinner - 22nd May 2004

Sixty-odd Taureans took over the Gallery at Thames Rowing Club on 22nd May 2004 to holda sneaky summer Dinner, with great success. An e-Vite internet invitation went out, whichhelped pin people's plans down. Alex Partridge showed up for a quick hello before returningto either training or bed (or both) and the evening dissolved into the usual drunken sozzle-dance. Photographic evidence has, regrettably, been mislaid.

Roll on 2005!

Useful rowing dates for2005

March-May19th March HORR 10am20th March Vets Head 11am27th March Boat Race3:05pm26th-28th May Dorney WorldCup

June-July17th-19th June HenleyWomen's29th June-3rd July HenleyRoyal2nd July Taurus Barbecue(HRR)NOTE BIG PISSUP!15th-17th July Nat Champs22nd-24th July Under-23Champs (Amsterdam)23rd July Home International(Cardiff)

August-September28th Aug-4th Sept WorldChamps (Japan)8th-11th Sept World Masters(Strathclyde)

Keep an eye on the website –Taurus socials/racing will beannounced there if we havewarning.

Lord Mayors' Regatta 2003

The wiles, strength and racing brains of the Poly did itagain. The winning crew (sponsored by TaylorWoodrow) was - Dave Gillard (Taurus), Dan Innes(rowed Atlantic with PL), Peter Halford (LRC), JohnCooper (Taurus), Pete Lowe (Taurus), James Lindsay-Fynn (LRC).

SPARE CHANGE

Ben Webb pulled the shortest straw at the AthensOlympics - after competing in the LM2- at the 2004Worlds (3rd in the B final), he was shipped out to Greeceto be the lightweight men's spare.

Normally a place for the disgruntled, Ben became anindispensable spare, cheerfully ferrying water bottles, icejackets and other useful things around between the boattents and the post-race podiums. As he pointed out, hegot to enjoy being at the Olympics without having toworry about racing!

Cheers, all –

Thanks very much to everyone who’s contributed to this– Pete, Ben, Simon, Ash, Paul, Jane, Dave, Danny and allthe other hard-working people I’ve forgotten.

Apprciative thanks also to Pete Spurrier, Joris Troosterand Sybrand Treffers who allowed me to have pictures ofour international stars.

Rachel Quarrell.

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That British M4- win in Schinias....

Brookes’ silver medal Under-23 coxed four – Hugo Lee, Rob Hollis, Tom Parker, WillRobinson and cox Nick Ford

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Schinias 2004 – did you go? Can you see yourself here? Full-resolution versions online.