Bedford Rowing Club
{{Short description|British rowing club}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox Rowing Club
| ClubName = Bedford Rowing Club
| ClubhouseImage = Bedford-rowing-club-2012-07-08 14.46.01.jpg
| BladeColourImage = 120px
| Emblem = Bedford rowing club logo.png
| Emblemsize = 110px
| Location = Bedford, England
| Coordinates = {{coord|52.13408|-0.464844|scale:2000_region:GB|display=inline,title|name=Bedford Rowing Club|format=dec}}
| Founded = {{Start date|1886}}
| Motto =
| Membership =
| HomeWater = River Great Ouse
| Website = {{URL|www.bedfordrowing.co.uk}}
| Affiliations = British Rowing
boat code - BED
| Events = {{collapsible list|
- Bedford Eights and Fours Head
- Bedford Small Boats Head (Spring)
- Bedford Amateur Regatta
- Bedford Quarts Sprint Regatta
- Bedford Small Boats Head (Autumn)
}}
| Distinctions =
| NotableMembers =
}}
Bedford Rowing Club is an amateur rowing club in Bedford, England, founded on 15 March 1886.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000749/18860731/100/0005 |website=Bedfordshire Times and Independent |title=Local Notes |date=31 July 1886 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=11 February 2025 }}
History
Despite Bedford Regatta having been founded in 1853, there is no record of any rowing clubs in Bedford until 1886.{{Cite web |url=http://blars.adlibsoft.com/wwwopac.exe?DATABASE=catalo%3Eitems&LANGUAGE=0&DEBUG=0&BRIEFADAPL=..%2Fweb%2Fadapls%2Fwwwreq&DETAILADAPL=..%2Fweb%2Fadapls%2Fwwwreq&%250=400123578&LIMIT=0 |title=Minute book containing the minutes of the public meeting, 15th Mar 1886, Bedfordshire County Council Archives. Date deposited: December 1965 |access-date=2018-11-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707084045/http://blars.adlibsoft.com/wwwopac.exe?DATABASE=catalo%3Eitems&LANGUAGE=0&DEBUG=0&BRIEFADAPL=..%2Fweb%2Fadapls%2Fwwwreq&DETAILADAPL=..%2Fweb%2Fadapls%2Fwwwreq&%250=400123578&LIMIT=0 |archive-date=2011-07-07 |url-status=dead }} at a meeting chaired by the Mayor. It was minuted that:
- That it be advisable that a Rowing Club be formed in Bedford.
- That it be called the Bedford Amateur Rowing Club.
- That amateurs only, as defined by the rules of the Amateur Rowing Association, be eligible to become members.
- That a Committee be elected by the meeting to draw up Rules for the Club & amount of subscriptions.
- That all members be swimmers.
The original minutes are held in the Bedfordshire archives and a copy is on display in the Club. The colours are maroon, white and blue.[https://www.britishrowing.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Handbook-2020-v2-PJI-Page-57-Removed-compressed.pdf The Umpires' Handbook] British Rowing, 2020: at p.43.
Current activities
The club regularly competes across the UK at all levels and has a broad membership base, from complete novices and juniors through to senior oarsmen and veterans.
Competitions
The club hosts three Head Races each year as well as a popular Sprint Regatta:
- The Eights & Fours Head is held on the second Sunday in February.
- The Spring Small Boats Head is usually held on the second Sunday in April, though the date may be changed, depending on when Easter is celebrated.
- The Sprint Regatta is held on the Sunday between Henley Royal Regatta and the National Championships.
- The Autumn Small Boats Head is held on the second Sunday in October.
Honours
= British champions =
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.bedfordrowing.co.uk Bedford Rowing Club]
{{United Kingdom rowing clubs}}
Category:Rowing clubs in England
Category:1886 establishments in England