Rowing Prospects Bright for the Future ... 1958

The history of the Stourport Boat Club goes back some eighty years, and the first Town regatta was held in 1876, organised by the late Mr. Wm. Dorsett, J.P.
During the years immediately preceding the turn of the century, the club achieved some notable successes in senior four-oar racing when the famous "Glover" crew was at the height of its fame. The most successful year was 1895 when the Club was undefeated throughout the season, and included in its successes the "West of England" Challenge Vase. The second success in this event came in 1897 when the Club was successful in winning trophies to the value of over £900.
The present boathouse was erected in 1900, largely through the energy and initiative of the late Mr J. L. Walters.
From the year 1919 onwards when the first ground extensions were made, the club expanded rapidly. In 1923 Mr. P. G. Hopcroft took over the duties of hon. secretary and treasurer from Mr. Osman W. Davies, who had done yeoman service for the club for many years previously. In the same year Mr E. S. Davies was appointed assistant secretary.
In the year 1924, the first major additions to the boathouse were carried out, involving a boat shed on the north-west side and a new bar and balcony on the south-east side. The total cost was approximately £700. As the boats could now be stored in the boat shed instead of using the upstairs rooms, the club was able to continue its social activities throughout the winter months.
Further extensions to the ground were made in the early 1930s, and a car park, including the right of way from the main road, was provided. A hard tennis court was also laid. Towards the end of the war, the club acquired the freehold of the grounds, and later a further 2000 square yards were purchased making a total area of approximately one acre.
In 1953 it was found necessary to undertake major structural alterations to the front of the boathouse, and the social room was extended, providing one of the finest boathouses on the Severn.
In 1926, Mr Hopcroft became captain, a position he retained for 20 years and Mr. E. S. Davies was appointed secretary and treasurer. Mr Hopcroft was elected president in 1947, and he held this position until his death in 1955. He had been an official of the club in one form or another since 1918. The present president, Mr. E. G. H. Moody, J. P., succeeded him when he retired in 1955, after 32 years' unbroken service.
Mr J. L. Perry was appointed to succeed Mr Davies, but unfortunately, he was compelled to resign from the office after two years owing to the pressure of business. He was followed in 1957 by Mr. A. J. Trawford, the present secretary.
During the years between the wars, the club, whilst not quite attaining the glories of the old "Glover" crew, made many notable successes in provincial rowing.
In 1936, the Diamond Jubilee regatta was held, and included "eights" for the first time on the Severn. In 1938, the club had its most all round successful season since the "Glover" days, gaining a total of 13 successes, senior fours (2), junior fours (7) (crew- M. Bridge, J. Roberts, S. E. D. Barton, J. C. Noon (str.), D. H. Lown (cox) - maiden fours (1), open pairs (1), senior sculls (1), and maiden sculls (1). The junior fours' successes in that year still remain a record for the club.
After the war, the club was three or four years in building up its rowing strength, but in 1949 two individual crews succeeded in winning maiden and junior events respectively, and in 1953 the senior four (G. E. Moone, J. L. Perry, A. I. Bird and R. H. Williams) won three events, and successes were also gained in maiden fours and maiden sculls. In 1954, J. Traylor won the junior sculls event at four regattas.
The record of successes over the years shows that the club has always maintained a healthy state on the competitive rowing side of its activities, and at the present time two senior fours and two maiden fours are in training. The prospects for the coming season would appear to be brighter than for some years past.
In common with other rowing clubs, there is unfortunately a lack of sufficient funds adequately to cope with maintenance and provision of new equipment. A special effort, however, is being made to build up a fund for the purchase of a second-hand fine eight, which is essential if the club is to maintain its status in the rowing world.
The inflationary period since the war has prevented many ambitious scemes for utilising to the full the extensive grounds attached to the club. When conditions permit, however, every effort will be made to make the grounds as attractive as they were in pre-war days.
Stourport Boat Club has a history of which it can be justifiably proud. Many of the older members, who were instrumental in building up the club to its pre-war standard have now passed on, but it is confidently expected that the younger generation now in charge of the destiny of the club will carry on the traditions of the past.