Berwick ARC honours oldest active member

How best for a rowing stalwart to celebrate his 80th Birthday? A question Gerald Bryson of Berwick ARC had little difficulty answering – hosting a scratch double sculling competition at the club he has been a member of for the past 62 years.

The members of the small, most Northerly club in England all turned out to honour the clubs oldest occasionally-still-active member. Races were held over a short 400m sprint and everyone agreed it had been a fun afternoon with more experienced racers competing alongside less experienced members.

Ian Black and Jodie Fleming won the overall competition, with Elvira Drummond and Aidan Wigham runners up. Winners of Division 2 were Bronwyn Armstrong and Ian Black, with Robin Morrison and Hannah Park runners up.

Gerald asked in his presentation speech “what makes a good rowing club – good boats, good facilities?” But he felt that what made Berwick ARC such a great club was the varied mix of members. The club currently has young and not-so-young rowers all joining forces in their joint love of the sport.

Rowing has played a huge part in Gerald’s life – he even met his wife of nearly 50 years at Nithsdale Regatta. Hardly surprising, then, that both Gerald’s daughter and grandson were taking part in the double sculling races, and both regularly compete for the club.

For more information about Berwick ARC, visit http://berwickarc.wordpress.com/.

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