THERE was a somewhat different feel to proceedings at Stratford Boat Club’s Remembrance Sunday event this year.
Rowers normally take time out of their training and rowing schedule to have a whole club act of remembrance to honour and remember those club members who died in the World Wars and other conflicts.
This year, there were no athletes grouped around the club’s memorial, no club piper to sound reveille, no member to represent the junior squad, no club elder to represent those of senior years and no overseas visitors to represent club members who had died serving in overseas forces.
However, club president Paul Stanton laid a wreath at the club’s memorial on behalf of the whole club.
He said: “Although this year’s act of remembrance was a very much scaled-back event, it was nonetheless poignant.
“This year marks the 75th commemoration of the end of World War Two and the sacrifice Stratford Boat Club members made is clear for us all to see on the cub’s memorial. They died that we may live in peace and enjoy our sport in safety.”
He added: “This has been a year like no other. We are immensely grateful to those in the community who have helped us keep going.
“We are very mindful of those who have had and are suffering from Covid-19 and our thoughts go out to them.
“This year we have lost some good friends: easy oar, your race is done but your memory and example lives on.”