Speaker for 17th April 2018
20/04/18 14:54
President Des Moore greets Keith Leighton with club members Cecil Leitch (L) and Eric Fulton (R)
Coleraine Probus row the Bann
Club members were pleased to meet Keith Leighton, when he came along to the club to give a brief history of, and the current successes at “The Bann Rowing Club.”
Keith joined the Bann Rowing Club as a young rower at the age of 15. He is now involved in an administrative role. Formed in 1841 the club is the oldest amateur club in the Borough and was always located close to the town centre. In the early days it was known as “The Coleraine Rowing Club.”
Keith's talk outlined the social and competitive history of The Bann Rowing Club from 1841 to 1987 and on to the present day. The gentlemen racers of the nineteenth century gave way in the twentieth century to stalwarts like Tommy Glen, Johnnie McDowell and Bobby Platt, all men who had an unparalleled passion for rowing.
The success of the world champions of the twenty-first century, Alan Campbell, the Chambers brothers, Richard and Peter, Chris Black and Joel Cassells prompted the resurgence of the sport.
The ladies contingent especially proved successful with three of the girls obtaining scholarships to American Universities. For anyone wanting learn more about the history of the club, Keith would recommend Ronnie Gamble’s book “The Champions of the Bann Rowing Club; Early Years (1841-1987)”.
Coleraine Probus row the Bann
Club members were pleased to meet Keith Leighton, when he came along to the club to give a brief history of, and the current successes at “The Bann Rowing Club.”
Keith joined the Bann Rowing Club as a young rower at the age of 15. He is now involved in an administrative role. Formed in 1841 the club is the oldest amateur club in the Borough and was always located close to the town centre. In the early days it was known as “The Coleraine Rowing Club.”
Keith's talk outlined the social and competitive history of The Bann Rowing Club from 1841 to 1987 and on to the present day. The gentlemen racers of the nineteenth century gave way in the twentieth century to stalwarts like Tommy Glen, Johnnie McDowell and Bobby Platt, all men who had an unparalleled passion for rowing.
The success of the world champions of the twenty-first century, Alan Campbell, the Chambers brothers, Richard and Peter, Chris Black and Joel Cassells prompted the resurgence of the sport.
The ladies contingent especially proved successful with three of the girls obtaining scholarships to American Universities. For anyone wanting learn more about the history of the club, Keith would recommend Ronnie Gamble’s book “The Champions of the Bann Rowing Club; Early Years (1841-1987)”.
(Much thanks to Graham for help with this report)
For a look at some photos from our club meeting, and the Bann Rowing Club archive, 'Click' the logo below:
