Rhubarb Issue 12: November 2023

The first ever women’s Martyrs crew raced at City of Oxford Regatta (from left), Roxy Welford (Sing’s, 2021-2023), Matilda Mann (Corfe, 2013-2016), Evie Gowen (Jubilee, 2018-2023) and Elsa Marino (Apsley, 2021-2023).

Charlie Gosling (Sing’s, 2011-2016), in the centre of the boat wearing dark glasses

MARTYRS BOAT CLUB 2023 T aking full advantage of the relatively loose membership criteria,Teacher/Coach, John Wiggins is ever-keen to be seen in Rhubarb kit and continues to feature in the occasional race.A win in the Masters G singles at Bedford Star Regatta was his sole individual effort in 2023 but he also featured in the latter stages of the season in a Masters E composite quad. Sculling with OSE, Andrew Knight (Cowell’s, 1991-1996) and Andy Knight Bird (Field House, 1975-1978) they had a comfortable win at Henley T&V Regatta. The City of Oxford Regatta is often a draw for the Club and this year was no exception. In 2022 however, after Rhubarb went to press, there was victory to report for the Martyrs sole representative, John Wiggins in the MastersG Singles. 2023 however saw a return to full strength at this local event. Resplendent in new but classically-toned livery (thanks to the strenuous efforts of Max Thompson (Sing’s, 2016-2018). The Club name is not often seen in the programme at Henley Royal Regatta but this year we came within a few seconds of representation in the Silver Goblets. School coaches, Mike Glover and Gareth Syphas were vying for inclusion in the draw for this international level, coxless pairs event but had perhaps left it too late in the season to prepare for such an ambitious goal. Success for the School in 2023 with a win in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup has been much reported and continues to be much-celebrated as well as lauded by so many in the rowing world. But what of OSE competing for their various clubs and universities?

While Oscar von Hannover (Cowell’s, 2010-2015), Felix Obholzer (Kendall, 2014-2016) and Cosmo del Mar (Cowell’s, 2016-2021) missed out in their respective qualifying time trial races, Ollie Coulson (Marlow RC and former SES Staff), Matilda Mann (Upper Thames RC and Corfe, 2013-2018) and Will Crudass (University of Bristol B and Sing’s, 2020-2022) all found themselves above the cut-off line and made it through to the draw and a race at the Regatta proper. One surprise entry, though not surprise qualification, included Olympian, Stewart Innes (Kendall, 2004-2009) racing with other former GB scullers.They joined pre- qualified OSE, Josh Brangan (Harvard University and Apsley, 2020-2022) Thibby Verdin-Mulot (University of Bristol A and Apsley, 2015-2020), Anthony Mallett (Oxford Brookes B and Apsley, 2016-2021), Issy Makepeace (Molesey BC and Cooper Lodge, 2020-2022), Sam Shuker (Segar’s, 2013-2018, coxing a GB U23 development VIII) and Will de St Croix (Tideway Scullers School and Cowell’s, 2018-2020). While Anthony Mallett’s Oxford Brookes eight reached the semi-final of the Temple, pride of place goes to Charlie Gosling (Sing’s, 2011-2016) who, with Thames RC and at his seventh Royal Regatta, found himself in front of Theresa May and Sir Steve Redgrave collecting one of the highly sought-after ‘red boxes’ containing his Henley medal after victory in the Thames Cup for Club Eights. Charlie has raced in three different events with three clubs beyond SESBC, reached three quarter-finals and succeeded in his second appearance in a final: perseverance personified! Henley Royal Regatta could not go ahead without the efforts of a very select few, the Henley Stewards, who run the event and deserve our recognition. Many thanks to our three OSE Stewards, Dr Peter Thomas (Apsley, 1958-1963), Patrick Delafield (Apsley, 1959-1964) and Lynton Richmond (Segar’s, 1976-1981).

MARTYRS

Report by John Wiggins (SES Staff, Beyond Teddies Team)

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Charlie Gosling, fifth in from the left