News
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RGB–CYG 60th Anniversary kit
7th May 2025
As part of this year’s Benrath – Cygnet 60th Anniversary, we are pleased to offer you the chance to purchase some Anniversary Kit to remember the occasion by. As for the 40th and 50th years, we will be producing tee shirts and for this 60th year we are pleased to offer not one, but two...
Eights Heads Weekend
25th March 2025
Another brilliant weekend of racing on the Tideway! The Cygnet VIII (#320) achieved a fantastic result at Eights Head finishing 269th (gaining 51 places) and 4th in the Small Club category (out of 10) The crew were: Clara F (cox), Dom M, Tom C, Charles J, Jordan H,...
Hammersmith Head
26th February 2025
A great day of Tideway racing at Hammersmith Head. Despite somewhat ‘breezy’ conditions, our Cygnet VIII rowed brilliantly, with all of the winter ergs and training sessions finally paying off! Many thanks to our coaches Wes and Simon for our Head Race preparation so far. Well done...
60 not out
10th February 2025
Plans are afoot to celebrate the enduring relationship between Benrath and Cygnet (and some BBRLC along the way) which will happen over three events in 2025. Exact timing and some other details to be confirmed but we need to know numbers so please do register your interest in any or all...
December Newsletter
4th December 2024
December Newsletter New captaincy, 2025 Fixtures, Learn-to-row, End of Season dinner, Benrath/Cygnet 60th Anniversary, remembering Ann, Len and Roy. ...
Remembering Roy Ellison
29th November 2024
Cygnets were saddened to hear of the death of Roy Ellison, who passed away on 23rd November. He was 91. Read Roy's full obituary here ...
Autumn Racing
24th October 2024
The World Masters Rowing Regatta took place between 11–15th September at Brandenburg an Der Havel, Germany. Cygnet were represented by Iain Golder who was part of a composite crew with Guildford RC (Brad, Richard and Paul) A really good race was reported with our chaps just being piped into...
All in a very good cause
19th October 2024
Hi, I am writing to see if I can encourage Cygnet RC to get involved with Motor Neurone Disease 5000 Squats for November 2024 I am a former Cygnet member, rowing with the squad from late 90s through to early 2000s and also met my wife Tanith there, who was rowing at...
Winter training
9th October 2024
Winter training is now well and truly underway at Cygnet, with weight sessions being run by Coach Wes and post training dinners resuming too. Cygnet’s Learn-to-Rowers have been making great progress with some impressive erg scores to boot too. ...
End of Season shenanigans!
10th September 2024
This year's End of Season Dinner took place at The Crossing in Barnes on Friday 30th August. Another good turnout – as always for the socials! – with plenty of stripes in evidence. After some fine dining and wining, the winners of our annual awards were announced thus: Tom...
Remembering Len Hoskins
31st August 2024
Cygnets were saddened to hear of the death of Len Hoskins, who passed away on 28th July. He was 92. Read Len's full obituary here ...
Ann Southey RIP
20th June 2024
We are very sad to report that Ann Southey died peacefully on 19th June after a short battle with cancer. Read Ann's obituary here. ...
Happy Birthday Mucha!
13th June 2024
Our very good friend Mucha, from RG Benrath, turned 60 during the pandemic (remember that?) and for obvious reasons, wasn't able to celebrate this milestone at the time. He finally got around to marking the occasion with a 60(+3) party at the beginning of June. ...
June Newsletter
1st June 2024
June Newsletter Head racing, Social events, CSBE AGM, Cygnet OGM, The Regatta Circuit, adieu Laurent. ...
Cygnet Annual Report 2023/24
30th April 2024
The Cygnet 2023/24 Annual Report Apologies for the delay in posting this annual report – a situation brought about by all the changes in senior club officers last year. The annual report wasn't ready for approval at the AGM in February but was finally approved by the management...
Head Race Season Review
26th March 2024
Five races to tell you about in this season's big boat head races, although the first is not an official race... Plum Puddings – 17th December Cygnet had two boats in this annual festive race organised by Quintin (and strictly by invitation only) on 17th December. The...
Are you a winner?
21st March 2024
Multiple draws took place at the Cygnet AGM on on Sunday 11th February. The lucky winners are all listed here. The final two draws of the 2023/24 season are slated to take place on Head Race weekend, 23rd – 24th March. Apologies for the hiatus in draws this year, while we rearrange the 300...
2022/23 Annual Report
31st December 2023
2022/23 Annual report (pdf) ...
Thursday Supper Club
7th December 2023
The club social Secs are attempting to resurrect Thursday Supper Club, starting this coming Thursday (7th December). Details can be found here for what is a great little social event. If you're interested, please sign-up or let Hannah know. ...
December Newsletter
7th December 2023
December Newsletter Your new captaincy, a bit of racing, some awards and promotions, remembering Kenny and Phil. ...
And the winner is...
28th September 2023
...Rowing, obviously! In fact, there were three winners at this year's End of Season Dinner, which took place at The Crossing in Barnes on Friday 22nd. A good turnout of blazers, were well wined and dined before the winners of our annual awards were announced, as follows: Clara...
Remembering Phil Brown
11th September 2023
Cygnets were saddened to hear of the death of vice president Phil Brown, who passed away quite unexpectedly in his sleep on Monday, 30th August. He was 77. Read Phil's full obituary here ...
Ken O'Brien
17th August 2023
Ken O'Brien Obituary ...
All change at the top
8th August 2023
A little later than usual, this year's OGM took place at 7.00pm on Monday 7th August. Equally unusually but very much in the modern way of things, the meeting took place virtually. We're unsure if this was so the outgoing captain could avoiding having to ring the bell or just because the new...
July News Round-up
31st July 2023
Club news and events for the second quarter of 2023 – photos below. Training and Racing Training and racing is in full swing but with a fairly small squad to draw from, we've been more selective about the regattas we're been attending this season. Fewer races than in previous...
June Newsletter
22nd June 2023
June Newsletter Your new committee, a bit of racing, remembering Tim and Ronnie, award for Richard, "Of Eyots and Aits" ...
New coach – now recruiting
23rd April 2023
Cygnet Rowing Club is actively seeking a club coach to support the growth and development of its men’s squad. We are a well-established, friendly, volunteer-run club with an active squad that is looking to grow and develop. The club competes locally and regionally in both regatta and head...
March 23 – News round-up
19th March 2023
Club news and events for the first quarter of 2023 – photos below. Land training Land training back in full swing at Cygnet HQ. Wednesday Nights are strength and conditioning with Charlie, a staple in our winter training program and a squad favourite session of the week. Water...
Tim Senior
27th February 2023
Tim Senior obituary ...
Annual Report 2022 & AGM
20th February 2023
The Cygnet 2022/23 Annual Report This year's Annual General Meeting, which took place in the bar on Sunday 19th February, in many respects represented a Changing of the Guard – or at the very least, a shuffling of the pack. Either way, the headlines...
Lifetime Achievement Award
12th January 2023
We're very proud to announce that our very own Richard du Parcq has won the British Rowing Lifetime Achievement Award for the Thames Region and is thus shortlisted for the national award, the winners of which will be announced at a ceremony on Thursday 26th...
Captain's Yule Log
24th December 2022
Dear Cygnets, far and wide With Christmas Eve upon us, I write to wish each and every one of you a happy and peaceful Christmas, wherever you are celebrating. In many respects it has been a momentous and turbulent year - Cygnet has seen a few of those since 1890 - but just as Father Thames...
December Newsletter
14th December 2022
December Newsletter Centenary Ball review, all change on the committee, Head racing and squad numbers ...
Fours Head
24th November 2022
That’s a wrap for this year’s Fours weekend. Well done to all our crews who race over the weekend putting in big efforts out in the fairway. Fours Head #204 in 4– Open Club: Matthew Gutteridge, Cristobal Cabrera, Rupert Bailey, Mustafa Özyurt Vets Fours Head #43...
Early Heads Season round-up
5th October 2022
The 2022/23 Head season training had begun in earnest with some long outing and long ergs before being rudely interrupted by some Head Races! 17th September – Scullers Head The Head season has a new opener: Scullers Head has now moved to a permanent slot in...
Centenary Ball
27th September 2022
Well, that turned out to be quite an evening. Over 120 members and friends gathered together to celebrate not only several notable anniversaries but more importantly, simply being a part of two fantastic rowing clubs. Guests were drawn from the current, active membership right...
End of Season Round-up
20th September 2022
A small selection of photos from club events over the last couple of months ...
Remembering Ronnie Lambe
14th September 2022
Read Ronnie's obituary here ...
Passing of Queen Elizabeth II
12th September 2022
As Cygnets and as Club, we join the nation in mourning the passing of Her Majesty the Queen and reflect on her lifetime of dedication and service to others. I’m sure many of you, like me, whether a civil servant, public servant or in our wider society and community will recognise the values...
Centenary Ball - Update
9th September 2022
A fantastic turnout of over 120 current and former members and friends of both clubs – and their partners – for the Centenary Ball, which promises to be a fantastic evening. Applications are now closed. More details of the event have been circulated to all...
Ronnie Lambe
31st August 2022
It is with great sadness that I have to inform you that Ronnie Lambe, one of the stalwarts of Cygnet RC, passed away last night, Tuesday 30 August. He was 97. Although many new members may not know Ronnie, as his health meant he was unable to attend Club functions for the past few years,...
Barnes Bridge footpath
27th July 2022
The new pedestrian walkway under the Middlesex arch of Barnes Bridge has now, finally been installed. Thanks to Paul Rawkins for the photos. And just in case you thought that no more could be done to improve Barnes Bridge, a new "garden bridge" has been proposed for the older, unused (upriver)...
Filming at the boathouse
20th June 2022
On behalf of the Boathouse Executive, please find below details of filming taking place at the boathouse this Monday evening. This should not interfere with any planned training but please be advised that the car park should not be used on Monday evening and members should vacate the...
Messing about on the river
30th May 2022
Borne@ChiswickBridge Regatta A novice quad racing at Borne@ChiswickBridge. A flying start for three debutant regatta racers with some exciting three-way racing in the fairway. Whilst Furnival had the legs on us, we were pleased to come in not far off their stern, fighting to the line for a...
May Newsletter,
11th May 2022
May Newsletter New committee, Fixtures list, Centenary Ball, 100 years of "The Bung" ...
Remembering Frank Caughlin
3rd May 2022
Anna Caughlin, Frank’s wife, contacted us recently with the sad news that Frank had passed away on 22nd April after a short illness; he was 96. A full obituary can be found here. ...
Spring Training Camp
23rd April 2022
That’s a wrap... fantastic few days of training camp for Cygnet RC, so excellent progress on the water, plenty of kilometres covered and great prep for regatta season. Big thanks to all our friends at @readingrc for the warm hospitality and sharing the beautiful water with us - we’ve been...
Say No to the Pier
1st April 2022
A meeting of concerned Tideway users was held recently to discuss Fulham Football Club's planning application to build a large pier 85m out into the river at Bishop's Park for the purposes of landing large passengers vessels. The impact of this proposal on all recreational waters sport on the...
Save the Date.
26th February 2022
Saturday 24th September 2022 Cygnet and Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Clubs are planning a party – a proper posh, post-pandemic party – for current and former members and their partners. The Centenary Ball will be held at the Richmond Hill Hotel. More details here ...
2021/22 Annual Report
26th January 2022
2021/22 Annual Report ...
Hit the kit
23rd January 2022
A new window is now open for you to get your hands on some Cygnet stash in time for the regatta season. On the Cygnet club kit page you will find the following items: 1: Racing unisuit (main team colours) – for representing Cygnet in races 2: Retro unisuit (old...
Happy New Year
31st December 2021
Good afternoon Cygnets, this is your Captain speaking I very much hope many of your have had a peaceful and festive Christmas with your loved ones with a well earned break from work and training and I hope without much Covid related disruption to your plans. As we approach the end of 2021...
Glad Tidings from the Captain
24th December 2021
Dear all, As we rapidly approach Christmas Day, I wanted to offer you and yours all best wishes for a very happy and healthy festive season. The Cygnet family stretches far and wide these days, so wherever you are, a very Merry Christmas to one and all. May your stockings be filled with...
December Newsletter
19th December 2021
December Newsletter New captaincy, 100 years of the CSSC, remembering Big Malc ...
Fours Heads & Remembrance weekend
14th November 2021
A busy weekend at the Civil Service boathouse as we hosted crews from all over the country for both Fours and Vet Fours Heads. The weather played ball (for a change) which helped but all was calm and very well organised for the first race back after last year's wash-out. ...
Malcolm Burman
15th September 2021
It is with a heavy heart that we have to report that Malcolm Burman, a long-standing Cygnet member and one of our Honorary Examiners, passed away this morning. "Big Malc", as he was affectionately know, was contemporary of the Chairman and many others within our veteran...
Autumn Sculling Camp
14th September 2021
Absolutely fantastic to be back at our upriver training facility (aka The Bung) for sculling camp last weekend. A weekend of doing what we do best...Friends enjoying our upstream retreat with lots of sculling, catching up in the sun and on (in) the water, and the occasional beer or...
Club day
30th August 2021
Hot on the heels of the Cygnet End of Season do, we also held our traditional Club Day event, in conjunction with BBLRC, on Bank Holiday Monday. Some racing was done. Some prizes were presented. A good time was had by all. And guess what...some beer was consumed! ...
End of Season do
28th August 2021
In a change to our usual End of Season event at a local hostelry, a 'Beer Festival' and Hog Roast were instead enjoyed on the boathouse lawn over the weekend. However, one tradition that didn't change were the club awards which this year were presented to... Congratulations to...
ATTENTION! Barnes Bridge Arch Closure
23rd August 2021
The north/inshore/#1 arch of Barnes Bridge will be closed to navigation for significant periods from Tuesday 23rd August. This closure is due the installation of the foot bridge under the arch. Full details are in the Current Safety Notices here. This is obviously going to have a big...
Boathouse closure
22nd July 2021
Urgent notice from the Boathouse Executive: the Civil Service Boathouse will be closed tomorrow Friday 23 July. There will be significant activity and filming on site, with no access for members. Apologies for the late notice and any disruption but the clubs will be compensated for the...
Hammersmith Bridge re-opens
15th July 2021
Hammersmith Bridge re-opens - for both river traffic, cyclists and pedestrians. Full details on our Current Safety Notices page but in summary; The bridge control lights display two signals; green arrow and a red X The green arrow means the bridge is open and there are no...
Busy weekend of racing and rowing
3rd July 2021
Racing... Upriver On Chiswick Reach some racing and huge congratulations to our golden sculler Ross bringing home the goods once again. A thoroughly well deserved wins and another pot to savour. Hats off to the 4+ and 2x racing crews too, some more solid racing experience working towards...
Off to the races
8th June 2021
Finally, this weekend we went to our first event after almost two years - the Sunday of Peterborough Spring. It felt sooo nice to race again with great weather ideal conditions, fantastic atmosphere, ice cream ... but my goodness how long did 1 kilometre feel! Morning races for the 4+ (Megan,...
FCDO Globalmile
22nd May 2021
Cygnet RC does the FCDO Globalmile On Saturday 15th May, Cygnet Rowing Club celebrated its links and history with the Civil Service by joining in with a truly global relay as part of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development (FCDO) Globalmile event. A racing crew completed a mile course as...
Hammersmith Bridge update - 20th May
20th May 2021
The message below is from the TRRC. There is also a notice about the new lights on Hammersmith Birdge in the Current Safety Notices section of this website As many of you know Hammersmith Bridge is a critical issue for all our Tideway clubs and events. We wanted to update you on what has...
Return to rowing - Step 3
18th May 2021
British Rowing have updated their guidance to reflect some of the details now provided by the Government in relation to Step 3 of their Spring 2021 COVID-19 Response, which comes into effect on 17th May. A further update is expected around 21st June. DOWNLOAD THE GUIDANCE - v.12 updated 15th May...
May Newsletter
9th May 2021
May Newsletter: Back on the water, new committee, Hammersmith & Barnes Bridges. ...
Return to rowing - update
9th April 2021
British Rowing have updated their guidance to reflect some of the details now provided by the Government in relation to Step 2 of their Spring 2021 COVID-19 Response, which comes into effect on 12 April DOWNLOAD THE GUIDANCE - v.11.2 updated 8th April 2021 ...
Back on the Tideway!
2nd April 2021
We. Are. Back. First post lockdown outing and first outing of the year. Great to see big smiles and burning glutes back in the VIII, as training and life on the Tideway is underway once more. We are Cygnet. Row on. Come join us? Click here for more details ...
Return to Rowing
25th March 2021
From Monday, 29 March - clubs will be able to reopen their doors and return to rowing. We've updated our guidance to reflect these changes and provide rowing specific guidance to you and your club. There will still be some restrictions in place as we move through each of the steps in the...
February BR's Covid roadmap
24th February 2021
Subject to ongoing advice and possible changes, here is the latest from British Rowing based on the recent Government announcement regarding the Covid-19 roadmap and easing of lockdown restrictions. There is light at the end of the tunnel but please be patient. ...
January Lockdown 3 BR Advice
5th January 2021
Advice from British Rowing to all clubs following the new Government guidelines issued on Monday 4th January 2021. Tonight the Prime Minister announced nationwide restrictions in light of rising numbers of COVID-19 cases across the country due to come into effect immediately (and into law...
2020/21 Annual Report
1st January 2021
2020/21 Annual Report ...
The captain's 2020 retrospective
28th December 2020
The year didn't start well, with most of the main Head Races cancelled due to weather conditions, as storm after storm battered the country. We couldn't have guessed things would or could get a lot worse... ...
December Tier 4 Covid advice
21st December 2020
Advice from British Rowing to all clubs following the new Government guidelines issued on Saturday 19th December. (Updated 23/12) Following Saturday's announcement of new Tier 4 restrictions, we are now able to confirm that the impact on rowing is largely as originally published. In particular,...
December Newsletter
17th December 2020
December Newsletter: More cancelled events, More Lockdown life, Hammersmith Bridge, Remembering David Webb and Greg Steene ...
November COVID-19 Update
5th November 2020
Latest advice/guidelines from British Rowing outlining their understand of how the second national Lockdown affects club rowing and training. Essentially, the message is that all club activity is suspended until the 2nd of December. Sadly this means that both the boathouse and The Shed will be...
Cleaning the Thames
19th September 2020
The PLA have launched a new website Cleaning the Thames to encourage more litter removal across the foreshore of the Thames. Connecting volunteers with events across the tidal Thames will maximise the potential and impact of litter removal. If any club members are interested in helping...
Club day
6th September 2020
With the ongoing virus restrictions, both rowing and social events are extremely hard to organise and are subsequently rather thin-on-the-ground. However with a facility such as our secluded little garden the clubs were able to organise our traditional, late-season Club day, albeit with...
August COVID-19 update
15th August 2020
As of 15th August we are able to move to Phase E of British Rowing's "Return to Rowing" policy. This means that as well as single sculls, mixed household crews are also permitted in II seat and IV seat boats, both coxed and coxless. VIIIs are still not permitted and neither are on-water...
Hammersmith Bridge Closed
14th August 2020
Hammersmith Bridge is closed to both pedestrians and navigation until further notice. Full details in our Current Safety Notices ...
Further COVID-19 updates
23rd July 2020
There have been regular COVID-19 updates from BR in the last month or so. We haven't published them as frankly you have better things to do with your time but the latest version (5) is more significant as it points towards a return to crew rowing - hurrah! All the updates (as well as other...
Seal of approval
21st July 2020
They're a friendly bunch up at Isleworth - perhaps a bit too friendly! Credit to Robin for the video (and for staying afloat) ...
New(ish) Captaincy
15th July 2020
A new Captaincy was elected at last night's OGM. An easy process as there no other candidates to challenge. Cristabal Cabrera • Captain, returning for a third consecutive year in the hot seat Sam Sears • Deptuy Captain, also returning for a third year Martin Drage • Vice Captain, the...
Bungalow news
29th June 2020
Good news for the bungalow. With lifting of some government restrictions, the Bung will again be open for guests use from 5th July and there isn't a free week until after sculling camp in September! Anyone staying at the bungalow must strictly adhere to government and club guidelines...
Boathouse Security - Update
28th June 2020
Following a brace of burglaries back in February, Boathouse security has been improved. Door have been repaired, the vulnerable bar fire-door converted to a more secure thee-point lock (as per the fire-door in Ladies changing room), boathouse ground-floor door lock repaired, CCTV installed in the...
A Sculler's Dream
28th June 2020
With (effectively) only single sculls or same-household small boats currently allowed on the river, the Tideway has been a dream for the last few weeks. Great weather and no coaching launches have made for the sort of glassy smooth water that most scullers can only dream of. It can't last so make...
June Newsletter
12th June 2020
June Newsletter: Cancelled events, Lockdown life, "A Boathouse to call our own" ...
Boathouse Improvements
3rd June 2020
They often say that whilst the sun is shining we should be making hay, so whilst they are no rowers the Exec. intend to begin some renovation to the Boathouse - but we need your help. The committee have been hard at work behind the scenes to get scullers on the water and the ergs distributed to...
Road access to the Boathouse
21st May 2020
You may be aware that the traffic team is undertaking a number of emergency transport measures as part of the Council's response to the Covid-19 crisis, more information on which can be found via the link below. The measures being undertaken are to improve public safety on our road network,...
Return to Sculling, Pahse A/B, update 18th May
17th May 2020
16.00 Dear All, Thank you everyone who has been involved for your hard work. Outing in singles can take place from tomorrow, Monday 18th May. The boathouse is prepared with hand washing stations and the launches have been moved into the Shed so that the singles house in the boat house can be...
Phasing a return to rowing, update 15th May
15th May 2020
19.30 Dear all, Further to the Government announcing on Monday that we are now allowed to do more, and different exercise, and the notification from British Rowing that rowing clubs can now allow single scullers on the Tideway; the PLA has lifted restrictions on recreational use of the river. ...
COVID-19 advice, update 13th May
13th May 2020
21.30 Dear club members, Both club committees and the Boathouse Executive have met in the last 24 hours, to thrash-out how we can facilitate people going sculling within the parameters of social distancing and keeping everyone safe and healthy. Just when we were ready, things...
British Rowing COVID-19 update, 12th May
12th May 2020
Following the publication of the UK Government's COVID-19 recover strategy on 11th May, British Rowing has updated its advice to our Affiliated Clubs and Events and detailed the rationale behind these decisions. The UK Government yesterday (11th May) published its strategy for...
Rowing lockdown: Monday updates
11th May 2020
09.00 Dear all, I hope this email finds you and your family all well, and free from nasty viruses. Following yesterday's update by the Prime Minister, the committee are keeping an eagle eye on the recommendations due soon from both British Rowing/TRRC and the PLA/EA. For now, none of...
TRRC Current advice and future return to rowing
4th May 2020
Dear TL6 Clubs, I hope that you and your members are well in what is without doubt one of the most challenging times for rowing that we have ever experienced. I wanted to write to you with regards to some of the activity the TRRC is undertaking. I have had a number of emails from...
Revamped Website
14th April 2020
As you can see, we have revamped our website! It's now much easier to navigate, especially on a phone, and we like to think, more pleasing on the eye. Please have a nose round the site and if you spot an error, find a broken link or have any other feedback, please contact the Website Admin. ...
LOCKDOWN!
25th March 2020
LOCKDOWN! Due to the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, all club activity is suspended until further notice. The captain and committee are monitoring the advice from the government, British Rowing, PLA and other agencies and will be in touch if and when restrictions are relaxed. ...
PLA Notice 6 of 2020: COVID-19 Restrictions
24th March 2020
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