Recreation in Stourport ... 1934

(Stourport - Its Rise, Decline and Final Triumph.)

Stourport is unusually fortunate in its opportunities for recreation, for in addition to cricket, tennis, hockey, football and bowls, it has the finest stretch of England's longest river for the purpose of boating, with a depth of water sufficient to allow steamers and launches capable of carrying hundreds of passengers, and a width which leaves ample room for the ordinary boating public to scull and row in safety.

In addition to all these, it has a fine stretch of common land of something like 200 acres, close to the town, and delightful walks without getting away from its own boundaries. Here the nature lover who finds his recreation in walking, rambling and botanizing can find plenty of scope for his less strenuous endeavours to while the happy hours away.

Golf appears to be the only recreation not catered for, but this may come later.

In point of age, cricket seems to have the longest record, going back quite a century; but having regard to its unique character and the wonderful prowess of Stourport oarsmen, I am tempted to speak of the recreation of 'boating' first.

In the early stages of Stourport's history the river appears to have been used chiefly for the purposes of industry, men were too busy to dream of using it for pleasure, and it was not until after the middle of the last century that the first boat raft appeared on the river.

Certainly fisherman's punts were to be seen, and occasionally a coracle, but these could hardly be called boating for pleasure.

As far as can be gathered the first man to establish a boat raft was Mr. John Baldwin, a well-to-do dock owner and timber haulier of Wolverhampton, who migrated to Stourport about the middle of last century, where he carried on the same profession. After some years residence here he placed his boat raft near to the bridge and popularised the joy of boating for pleasure. He was succeeded by his son, James, who afterwards sold it to Mr. H. Jenks, also of Wolverhampton.

In the meantime, another raft appeared on the river, the property of Mr. Thomas Stiff, a waterman of Gloucester, whose familiar figure, together with that of his wife, both beyond the average weight of humanity, is still remembered by older inhabitants. In after years the raft was owned by his son, who was followed by Mr. Henry Hatton, in whose family it was kept for two generations.

Later, yet another raft was erected by Mr. H. Buckley, who was succeeded by Mr. W.Bell; and for many years Mr. Charles Cotterell has also kept a raft.

The first steamboat on the river appears to have been the 'Severn', a paddle boat owned by Mr. Tyler of the Tontine Hotel, which was quickly followed by the well-known and popular saloon steamer the 'Perseverance'. This was owned by a Worcester man who regularly, every Sunday morning during the summer months, ran the steamer between Worcester and Stourport. Bills announcing the event were not then in use, but the Town Crier was sent round the town every Saturday morning with the news that the steamer would run the following day. William Hall was then the 'crier' and arrayed in top-hat and frock coat, carrying his noisy bell, he quickly gathered a crowd to hear the message, and, I fear, to poke fun at his delivery. He was the fortunate possessor of good lungs, and his message could be heard the length of the street, and generally ran as follows: 'O yez, O yez, O yez. This is to give notice that the steamer Perseverance will run to Worcester at 'as-pass-t'en' to-morrow mornin.' Generally a crowd of youngsters, attracted by the well-known sound of the bell, would gather round him and stand open-mouthed at the criers delivery, especially being attracted by the fearful gasps for breath between every two or three words.

An amusing story is told concerning him and a travelling concert party, once giving a show at the Town Hall.
The comic singer of the party was amusing the audience with a well-known question.
'Noah of old three babies had,
Or grown-up children rather:
Shem, Ham and Japhet were their names,
Now who was Japhet's father'?
Not a word came from the audience and the artist then said 'Let's put it like this':
'William Hall three babies had,
Or grown up children rather:
Jim, Tom and Charlie were their names,
Now who is Charlie's father ??
Instantly the answer came in a shout of 'William Hall'. 'Just so.' said the performer.'Now we'll try again':
'Noah of old. etc. etc.
Now who was Japhet's father?'
With a terrific shout came the answer: 'William Hall!'

For many years the good ship 'Perseverance' was the only passenger boat for the conveyance of passengers to Holt and Worcester and, in fact, remained in sole possession of the traffic until quite modern times. It became quite dear to the hearts of the people of Stourport, and a trip to Worcester was quite an event in their somewhat sedate lives.
After its decease as a workable steamer, the hull was used for many years as a raft, or landing stage, at Worcester quay side, but I believe has now been broken up for firewood, leaving behind it a very pleasant memory.

Modern steamers were introduced by the Hattons, the first being named the 'Lady Foley' and afterwards changed to the 'Beatrice'. I think she came to grief through a fire, which rendered her useless. This was followed by the 'Lady Honor' and the 'May Queen' both being owned by the Hattons.
Captain Palmer, also from Wolverhampton, settled in Stourport between 40 and 50 years ago, and has done much towards popularising the use of the Severn.
His first boat was the 'Windsor Castle' afterwards named 'Arley Castle'; the 'Berkeley Castle', the 'Amo', and the 'Princess Beatrice', the latter boat having been frequently used by the late King Edward before Mr. Palmer's purchase.

From Stourport to Gloucester, a distance of something like 40 miles, the Severn passes through the whole of the county of Worcester and a good slice of that of Gloucester, where the Berkeley Canal takes up the waterway to Sharpness, and these Stourport steamboats by no means confined their operations to the 12-mile stretch between that town and Worcester. If required, they could be chartered the whole course of the river to Gloucester, a journey passing through much delightful scenery.

Naturally, a river of this description without a ford or shallow from start to finish, provides opportunities for boating clubs and racing denied to perhaps much larger towns, and among those who have used such opportunities Stourport itself takes no mean place.

The prowess of Stourport crews is known the country over, a fact which has drawn some of the most famous clubs to try their mettle against them.

In this sketch of boating at Stourport I shall have to content myself with the merest outline of its earliest history, as its subsequent story will have to be given in some detail.

The pioneers of boating and racing appear to have been a small band of men who were known as the Blue Caps, and consisted of half-a-dozen young fellows who clubbed together and bought an old four-oar inrigged boat from a well-known solicitor of Bewdley, Mr. R.A.Pardoe of the Lower House. This must have been some where about the sixties of the last century, as I find his name in directories of that time. It was a tub, heavy with narrow-bladed oars and hard fixed seats. The men who formed the little club were Alfred Johnson, Samuel Hayward, Thomas Nixon, William Underhill, and George and Tom Baylis. They wore blue caps and white cotton jerseys. Their life was very short, but they were quickly followed by another crew who called themselves the White Caps. This crew was composed of Edwin Bloomer, Tom Smith, Sampson Roden and Mr. Styles, shopman for Mrs. Griffin of York Street, who subsequently married Mr. Tempest-Radford of Kidderminster, who was also an employee of hers.

Broome was a fine sculler and beat the Bewdley champion in a race from Stourport to Ribbesford.

Following the White Caps came the Red Caps from which time Stourport's boat racing fame may be considered to have begun. This crew was composed of four brawny workmen - a blacksmith, a foundryman, a boat builder, and a carpenter.

Before the actual establishment of the well-known "Red Caps," the little band of rowers had pitted themselves against each other in scratch teams, the course being from Lincolme Weir to the bridge at Stourport.

The four men who actually were the pioneer "Red Caps" were J. Bowcott, H. Hopcroft, E. Preece and W. Preece (stroke). Sometime afterwards the men were changed, and John Baylis and J. Butler found places. As a help to these crews for a couple of seasons, an Oxford University trainer came down to coach them.

Salter, the Oxford boat builder, also came down as umpire and starter on several occasions, following the races in an eight-oar boat, in which he stood up, wearing his red coat and badge.

Each man who found a place in this boat received 4s. 6d. and a dinner at the Swan Hotel for their trouble.

Enthusiasm at this event was immense, crowds running up the riverside and shouting themselves hoarse.

This particular occasion was, I believe at the first regatta, and the promoters were so delighted at their prowess that they had a lighter craft built at Oxford, and the next year won a good number of races.

The first "open" regatta appears to have been held in 1866, and the second in the following year; and about this time two private crews appeared on the scene in boats especially built by John Baldwin and used for the first time. They were not particularly successful.

The third regatta was held in 1868, and resulted in a financial loss, but it was noted for the first appearance of an Oxford varsity four, possibly one of the last combinations at Stourport. They had all been in the famous varsity race of that year and needless to say, they took all the prizes, "fours." "pairs." and "sculls."

These regattas were, unfortunately financial failures; this resulted in the club being disbanded and the whole fleet of boats sold off to recoup the promoters their out-of-pocket expenses, but in recognition of the success of the "Red Caps," the committee presented the crew with their boat, the "Ant," which they made good use of afterwards. From this date Severn rowing appears to have been confined to private crews of which there were several combinations.One was made up by J.B.Styles, E.Stanley, Henry Hopcroft, and Edward Broome, with W.H.Eaton as cox. Another was composed of young fellows under 21. Tom Baldwin, Sam Roden, J.Wilson, and T.J.Smythe. They did very well, and won the approbation of the London Rowing Club who took part in the regattas, the stroke of this crew offering to the lads their boat for the next race. The lads thanked them but said they were afraid of "the sittin'" without a practice first. Nevertheless, they won the race after a terrific struggle all the way, amidst the plaudits of the crowd as well as all the rowing men assembled.

In the year 1870 the old bridge was pulled down, and until 1872 little was done in the shape of rowing; then a move was made on the part of a local Friendly Society (I believe the Foresters) towards establishing once more a public regatta.

I well remember this because of the "Foresters' Parade," which perambulated the town before the regatta commenced. I have read, as every boy must have done, the story of bold Robin Hood and his Merrie Men, but now we were to see them in real life. Excitement was immense.

Headed by the Kidderminster Brass Band, the procession swung down Holborn, Lombard Street and High Street, followed by Robin Hood and Maid Marian, Friar Tuck and Little John, the latter being a well-known barber of the town, and remarkable for his size and weight. Then came the Foresters in their scarves of Lincoln Green, making up as brave a show of England's defenders could be imagined.

If my memory is not at fault, this venture was a combination of both fete and regatta, the water events being somewhat small. The "Red Caps" reappeared but with only two of their first members, J.Bowcott and William Preece, the new members being J.Butler and John Baylis. They came off with flying colours winning their races with ease.

The profits of this venture were to be given to the Kidderminster Infirmary but I cannot find any account of this.

In 1873 the starting point and winning post were changed, this being caused by the then holder of the Big Oak Meadow asking for more rent than the committee could afford; from that time the winning post has been held on the opposite side of the river.

The year 1874 saw a younger generation of oarsmen and two new clubs came into existence, the first being the Severn Rowing Club, chiefly promoted by J.W.Danks, Frank and Robert Blundell, J.R.Goodwin and a few others from Stourport and Kidderminster. The second was confined to a few of the young tradesmen of Stourport, who named it Alexandra Boat Club; these consisting of Arthur Baldwin, W.H.Harrison, Charles Eaton, E.D.Charles, E.Johnson and a few others. Hopcroft and T.J.Smythe of the old club joined in and a senior and junior crew were formed. In the following year (1875) a regatta was held when crews from Worcester, Bristol, Cardiff and the Ariel R.C. clubs came to compete. At this regatta the junior "Alexandra" crew won the junior plate.

It is interesting to note that Mr.J.S.Gibbons, son of the Rev.B.Gibbons, was both umpire and starter at this and the regatta of the previous year. Like his father, the Vicar, he had done rowing at Oxford.

The coming of Mr.William Dorsett to the town as schoolmaster was an important item in boating circles, for at a meeting of rowing devotees held soon after the last regatta, at which he was made chairman, resulted in a move for a new rowing club. Appeal was made to the principal people of the town, asking for subsriptions and support, the result being that the scheme soon became a practical proposition.

An old trow was purchased from Mr.Danks for the sum of £10, and was docked, overhauled, and made watertight, and fitted up as a boathouse with a dressing room at the end. A floating landing stage was added making a very presentable appearance. Rules were drawn up. Mr. Alfred Baldwin was elected as president, with the Rev.B.Gibbons, Mr.John Brinton, and Mr.Charles Harrison as vice-presidents.

The first regatta was held in July 1876, and proved a tremendous success, a cheque for £50 being passed on to the Kidderminster Infirmary. The following year the second regatta was held, and in 1878 the new club had two additions to its membership who exercised a great influence in its progress.

These were the Rev.S.F.Barber of Trinity College, Cambridge and the Rev.E.A.Morgan also of Cambridge and both excellent oarsmen.

The first mentioned was made captain of the club and proved to be a man of resource and organising power, and an assiduous coach.Both these gentlemen were curates of Mitton and extremely popular in the district. Around the name of the first hangs a very amusing story. At times he appeared in the pulpit at Mitton in grey trousers, a procedure which did not find favour with the Vicar, who loved to have everything decently and in order.

The matter was reported to the Bishop, who upon examining the offending garments, said he only wished he had a good pair.

The success of the club was so great that the Reverend captain decided to offer four silver cups for competition among the various members of the club. At this competition Mr Barber acted as starter and umpire, riding his horse along the towing path.

A dinner was held at the Lion Hotel in the evening, when the captain presented the cups to the winners.

On the 18th of this month a terrible tragedy occurred on the Severn, which resulted in the loss of one of its best members. The crew had started out in their boat with the intention of rowing to the Lenchford. They passed through the locks at Lincombe, and all went well until just past Hampstall Ferry they met the paddle-wheel tug, "Enterprise", with a string of barges in tow. A tremendous swell of waves was raised and the frail racing boat filled and sank beneath the waves and Mr A.H.Baldwin was drowned, he being unable to swim.

A gloom seemed to settle on all future efforts, and further rowing for that year was abandoned. In fact it was many years before any real revival was seen.

Mr Dorsett gave up taking charge of the regattas, and years afterwards Mr S.J.Bywater came forward but not very successfully, and it was not until 1892 that an effort was made to re-establish the club. In this new venture Mr C.Glover became secretary, and it was resolved to re-start the regattas under the club auspices. At the regatta Mr J.S.Gibbons contributed the "Boddington Challenge Cup," which attracted crews from Burton, Bradford, Birmingham, Bridgnorth, Bewdley, Hereford with two Stourport crews. A profit was made of over £83, which set the club upon a substancial basis.

Our next chapter will deal with "halcyon days" of Stourport Racing.

STOURPORT BOATING (continued)

To describe adequately the wonderful story of Stourport's greatest and most successful crew requires the tongue of a "Demosthenes" and the "pen of a ready writer." This celebrated crew, in the years which they held together, won no less than 75 per cent of all their entries, and for two seasons were absolutely unbeaten.

Possibly the finest tribute to their prowess was that of the "Argus," of May 22nd, 1899, in which the writer of "Rowing Notes" in speaking of the fixtures for the season says: "As the all-conquering Stourport senior crew will not this year compete, fine boat racing should be much more interesting, as in all probability no crew will be able to sweep the 'firsts' from all regattas as did Stourport last year.

He then goes on to say: "Stourport will only be represented by a junior four, but as is well-known, the club never sends out a crew unless they can do the course in a certain standard time, it may be safe to assume the light and dark blues will not be disgraced."

It was in the year 1892, after a considerable period of deadness in the boating world that the famous crew of the "nineties" came into being; the original members being W.Rowley, S.M.Glover, D.T.Allum and A.E.Oakley, with H.Jones as coxswain.

Their first contest was at Stourport on July 4th, when they entered for the Town Plate, which carried with it the splendid "Boddington" challenge vase, presented by Mr J.S.Gibbons of Boddington Manor, which is held for one year. Burton, Hereford, Birmingham, Shrewsbury and Stourport competed for the coveted prize. Stourport beating Burton in the final heat. The newspaper report of the time says: "This was beyond doubt the contest of the day, and excited immense interest. In the final heat Stourport put on a dashing heat about 200 yards from the winning post. Burton responded with desperate energy but failed to get nearer and the home crew won by a length and a half, amid tumultuous cheering. The victory was evidently a popular one."

The crew had also entered for the Tradesman's Plate for maiden fours, but their brilliant victory of the Town Plate rendered them ineligible, and this plate was given to a second Stourport crew who beat both the Birmingham and Worcester clubs.

This crew was composed of H.E.Hinton, R.L.Evans, T.Jones, and G.Jones, with F.Collett (cox).
The senior crew had already entered for the Bridgnorth maiden fours, which took place a week later, but having won the Stourport Town Plate, the knotty point arose as to whether it was legal to take part in a maiden race, although they were eligible when entering. They were, however, allowed to race, but the Pengwern crew, who opposed them, lost the heat, and promptly objected to theit right to row. The objection was sustained, and Stourport was disqualified. The stregth of the crew was very marked in this heat, Stourport leading all the way, Pengwern being a good five lengthd behind at the finish.

At the Worcester regatta of the same year, the crew entered for the President's Plate, and in the final heat, although they lost the toss and had to row on the worst side of the river, they gradually forged ahead and won by a couple of lengths. The "Echo" in its report of the race, described their opponents (Worcester) as plucky, but anything but neat.

At the Tewkesbury regatta (same year) we note a change in the crew, W.A.Baylis taking the place of Rowley. Bristol Ariel were beaten in the first heat by Stourport, but in the final heat, when three crews pulled (Bradford, Bath Avon, and Stourport) the crew gave up the race not far from the winning post, realising it was impossible to overtake Bradford in the distance. 1893 saw yet another change in the crew, R.L.Evans replacing Baylis, an arrangement which seems to have lasted until the year 1897, when Evans retired.

In this year (1893) the "Boddington" cup was again won, also the Tradesman's Plate, and the Town Plate in addition. In the same year the crew carried off at Evesham several of the most valuable prizes.

This year appears to have witnessed a change of coxswains, F.J.E.Martin taking the place of H.Jones. The career of this cox after leaving Stourport, is one of the romances of the musical world, for with little aid, save his early lessons at Stourport, he developed into one of the most popular writers of the day, whose works, especially "Songs of the Fair" have been broadcast the world over. He died at the comparitively early age of 33, his body being cremated at Golders Green, when several of his old friends from Stourport attended.

The year 1894 saw the Stourport senior crew forging ahead, at its own regatta it won the contest with Burton for the Town Plate, whilst the "maidens" beat Worcester by two lengths.

At Worcester the City Members' Plate fell to the Stourport juniors, and the Corporation Plate fell to the senior crew, who used their new racing boat, said to be one of the best built on the Thames for many years. Worcester lost their heat to Stourport and in the final Burton was beaten.

At Evesham the senior crew carried off the Town Plate, beating Worcester by a length and a half, and at Bridgnorth secured the President's Prize.

At Hereford, the great event was the fight for the West of England Challenge Vase, valued at £120, and carrying with it prizes to the value of 30 guineas.

It was a smart fight between Royal Chester and Stourport but the latter "stuck it," increasing their lead by inches, and finally beating their opponents by a quarter of a length.

The years 1894-5 appear to have been the high water mark of Stourport rowing, and so famous had they become that several crews refused to pit themselves against them.

The Burton crew for instance, were so disgusted at their failure to beat the Stourport crew at Bridgnorth about this time that they scratched the race for the Town Plate at the Stourport regatta held shortly afterwards.

It was understood that the men from the beer city had strengthened their crew, but after their defeat at Bridgnorth they were heard to say "it is no use trying conclusion with Stourport again." Nevertheless, Burton were a good crew and on more than one occasion were not far behind their rivals.

Just about this time I find the personnel of the crew was changed; the stroke (A.E.Oakley) emigrated to the States, and D.T.Allum left the district, their places being filled by P.D.Glover and F.C.Glover (stroke), with Donald Smith as cox. In this order they contested at Nottingham for the Victoria Challenge Vase, this being the year of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The vase was valued at 350 guineas, with presentation prizes and attracted the Waterford crew, as well as the Royal Chester and Stourport.

In the first heat Waterford beat Nottingham, next heat Stourport beat Waterford, then came the struggle between the famous Royal Chester crew and the Stourport men.

The Royal Chester were fancied as certain winners for the coveted prize, but to everyone's astonishment, Stourport won by a couple of lengths. Half-way along the course Stourport was slightly ahead, and soon increased this to a length and a half, finally passing the winning post first by two lengths.

Chester made a splendid effort to overhaul them, but the Stourport men never relaxed their clean and vigorous stroke, and their deserved success was greeted with tremendous cheers.

This triumph was the last appearance of Evans in the crew, his place being now taken by G.R.Mason, this making the famous crew of 1898, who carried everything before them, a quartet of cousins. These four relatives, during the next season, won trophies to the value of £902, and swept the best events from Shrewsbury to Tewkesbury, being absolutely unbeaten.

About the year 1899 this fine senior crew, which had raised Stourport's boating fame to a pinnacle never reached before or since, disbanded - two left the country and are now in America, another left the district - the only one now remaining being Mr S.M.Glover, who has won more prizes than anyone at the club.

It will be noted that I have dealt chiefly with the senior crew, but the juniors have also a good record, and gave a good account of themselves.

Besides these, the Stourport club produced many fine scullers (including ladies), and in fact, every class of boating found its devotees, who acquitted themselves well.

All this happened more than 30 years ago, but the Stourport Boat Club still flourishes, and its Boat House and grounds is a familiar feature of the banks of the Severn.

A new race of rowing men has arisen, hoping to emulate the deeds of "these knights of old," and recent events suggest they will uphold the splendid tradition.

It is interesting and worthy of note that the present captain of Stourport Boat Club (Mr Percy G.Hopcroft) is a son of Mr H.Hopcroft, who was one of the famous band of "Red Caps" who were among the first to pioneer first-class boat racing on the Severn, more than half a century ago. Isaac L. Wedley, Stourport Courier and Kidderminster Shuttle October to November 1934.

nb Referral to the first regatta being in 1876 concerns regattas organised by The Stourport Literary Institute Boat Club