HEATHER Hayton, Fred Tyler and Harvey Mole collected the President’s Sculls trophies as recognition of their endeavours with Stratford Boat Club.
The frustration of not being able to get on to the river for water sessions continued at the weekend but Stratford took time out from their arduous indoor training schedule to award trophies to some of the club’s best scullers after the awards were revived.
The original trophy was initially presented by the then captain Ian Cartwright to Derek Eardley in 2004 during his tenure as Stratford Boat Club president to mark his many years of service to the club and was to be raced for annually in coxed fours.
Over the years, the competition faded from the annual calendar and this year was reinstated as an annual sculling competition in three categories – women, men and juniors.
Hayton was the women’s winner, with Mole winning the men’s prize and Tyler taking the junior accolade.
Club president Paul Stanton thanked Paul Hadland, who had refurbished the much-damaged trophy and also chairman Dawson Curnock and senior vice-president Colin Upchurch, who had made and fitted the trophy mounting.
“We hope the President’s Sculls award will continue to inspire all members to continue with sculling at a high level and further contribute to all sections of the club, mixing and communicating with each other,” said Stanton.
The president also thanked junior co-ordinator Steve Wellstead for his part in running and organising the competition.
