Despite this being a relatively lean year on the silverware front I still believe that this should go down as being one of our more successful ones in recent times.   

In the Autumn we managed to muster a large contingent of 2 men's 4x, 1 women's 2x and 2 single scullers to attend Burton Head. From this we retained a win in Men’s Sen III 4x with Chris Paget, Keith Towanowski, Paul Warren and Richard Williams. The basis of both men’s 4x were members retained from our first commercial recruitment venture from Atkins. Thanks should go to Alun Richard Jones and Richard Williams for their continued work and patience throughout the last 2 years coaching.  

In the spring we saw a further 2 wins this time by the Women's Vet C 2x of Jilly Perry and Gillian Lockhart at Northwhich Head and Evesham Regatta.  

This year has also seen the return of an old Derwent stalwart, Steve Playdon, this time in a coaching role. Thanks to the efforts of Steve and with some help as able from other members the new junior section has swelled to some 9 members. 2 of this group, Guy Playdon and Tom Newton have already raced at Burton and at Bewdley in J13 2x acquitting themselves well in their first year of rowing. Later in the year a group of Guy, Tom, Jonty and James attended the British Indoor Rowing Championships in Birmingham where they showed that they are well within the nation's juniors.   

A 2nd recruitment drive from Atkins saw 4 new recruits on the water over 6 consecutive Wednesdays in the early part of the summer. Later, due to the enthusiasm of Emma Kelly, 8 new female recruits tried sculling on the Derwent. Unfortunately we have as yet been unable to retain any as regular members but perhaps when things warm up again later in the year we may be able to tempt them back. Thanks again must go to Richard Williams, Paul Beaman, Alun Richard Jones and Gillian Lockhart for help with various novices throughout the year.  

Finally we must mention the arrival of 2 new boats to our flotilla in the form of a new lightweight Janousek 2x, 'Grace', named after Lewis Hancocks mother and 'Enigma' a heavyweight Aylings 2x. I'm sure all active members will join me in thanking Richard Williams for all his work in successfully bidding for the funds to make these purchases possible.   

I wish every success to Steve Playdon who now takes over as Captain, I feel confident that his enthusiasm will be able to take the club onto a new successful era in its history.

Gillian Campbell