On Sunday 13th April Ironbridge Rowing Club celebrated the naming of three new boats into its small fleet thanks to the support of the local community and the Rowing Foundation. The three new boats will enable junior and senior lightweight members to race competitively at rowing events across the country in the Green and Yellow of Ironbridge.
In February 2024, the rowing club suffered from an act of vandalism that saw one of their junior boats torn from outdoor racking and smashed on the floor. The fact this happened on the night before the Junior coaching team were due to receive the High Sheriff’s of Shropshire Award for outstanding contribution to the community of Shropshire was another blow for the often-flooded rowing club.
A fund-raising page was established which raised over £5,000 with much of the money coming from the residents and businesses in the Gorge region of Ironbridge and surrounding villages and towns. Dale End Café and The Toy Box both based in Ironbridge donated to the fund as well as the Butchers Bar in Broseley who held a quiz night. Merrythought bears donated one of their bears for a raffle that was held at the annual dinner to raise further funds.
Thanks to these donations the club was able to purchase a brand-new Swift Club A Lightweight Double Scull. At the same time the club was able to secure matched funding from the Rowing Foundation for the purchase of two new Swift Cadet single sculls that are designed for very lightweight junior members under 60kg.
Club Captain, Stewart Plant said “It gives me great honour to welcome into our fleet three new boats. The new double scull will be called ‘The Gorge’ in recognition of all the people and businesses who donated to making the purchase happen. I hope many of them will be able to see the boat racing at Ironbridge Weekend Regatta and cheer on the crews racing in it.”
“At the same time, it is wonderful to recognise the support that Merrythought has given the club over the years by naming the first of our new Cadet Sculls ‘Merrythought’. In doing this we help celebrate their 95th anniversary and the bond between two ‘older’ residents of Dale End Park.”
“Lastly, we name our final Swift Cadet ‘Sunnyside’ this boat was named by our junior squad as the yellow canvas not only makes the boat look like a Sunny side up egg, but also after the area of Coalbrookdale known as Sunniside Avenue that used to look down on our former majestic neighbours; the Ironbridge power station.”
The 2024/25 season has so far seen 8 wins for Ironbridge Rowing Club, Junior, Senior and Masters rowing squads and their winning form looks set to continue over regatta season that finishes in August.
