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Easter 2020 Newsletter
Captain's Message
Dear Boaties and ex-Boaties,
This term our message comes on the backdrop of the global coronavirus pandemic affecting all of us. Unfortunately, the culmination of our rowing year, May Bumps, has been cancelled as a result and we have been forced to abstain from our favourite boats (and ergs!) for the time being. Of course, we should keep in mind that this is one of the more benign effects of the pandemic as people have lost loved ones in these trying times. I hope everyone is keeping safe and slowly returning to a semblance of normal life.
As the lockdown gradually eases, we will be looking to liaise with the other college sharing our boathouse to enact a safe plan for returning to rowing and showing the Gold and Blue colours on the river again! In the meantime, we are preparing teams for a strong showing in the Virtual May Bumps where running will replace our usual Bumps carnage. On the bright side, we can make our coxes break a sweat as well this time!
As the year, and my time as Captain, comes to an end, I am enormously sad and disappointed it has ended in such a way. This Committee worked hard all year and were sadly not able to enjoy the result of our efforts with a glorious May Bumps campaign and Mays Boat Club Dinner; in which we were also very much looking forward to hosting alumni crews from the 80s. I am confident however, that we have left behind a Club with the strongest ties with alumni and College and with excellent relations with two fantastic coaches, Paul Carter and David Layton, who can lead our crews to success in the future! Next year is uncertain in many respects, including rowing, but I am looking forward to welcoming an eager new committee in a few weeks that can take us forward.
Have a great and safe summer and best wishes to all,
Harry Michalakakis
Captain of Wolfson College Boat Club
Sharing the past
This may be a year without rowing events but that does not mean there is not still time and opportunity for the Wolfson College rowing community to share conversation and memories. Hopefully some of the material here will help bring some fond recollections to the fore; if so please do share your quotes and memories with us here. We always love to hear stories about the College’s past, so do get in touch. |
Out of the waterWe’re also looking at arranging online meetups for Boat Club alumni, as whilst we can’t have a marquee at Osier Holt for the Bumps, or meet up for a dinner at the College, we can still share time together. Watch this space for news about online gatherings… and do let us know (or send us a photo) if you’re hosting your own virtual meet-ups with other Boat Club members! In some cases, Boat Club members have been very actively engaged with the current global health crisis, with a previous WCBC captain, Sonny Smart, being actively engaged in her medical duties as you can see here: 
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Virtual BumpsAs Harry mentioned in his captain's statement, some bright sparks have come up with an alternative which could be of relevance to some readers – how do you fancy some Virtual Bumps at the end of June? Swap your blades for some running shoes and get ready to compete not only for your College, but also for charity – specifically the East Anglian Children’s Hospice, and the Cambridge COVID-19 fundraiser. The Virtual Bumps website has all the details you need for getting involved – so whether you’re running, donating, reporting |
Charity ergingTom and Sophie are two Wolfson students participating in Row Britannia, a rowing challenge that stretches over 2,000 miles, to be completed between 12 November 2019 and 6 June 2020. They hope to raise £3,000 for Sport Relief and mental health. You can read more about their efforts on the website, or donate directly here on their JustGiving page. 
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A look backWe are just over the halfway mark for 2020, and the College will be celebrating its 55th foundation anniversary at the end of June. Here are some pictures from this time which show just a fraction of the keen faces who have been a part of the Boat Club: 
A selection of Wolfson Boat Club images: 1968 mixed crew inc. Maria Lukianowicz in foreground (fondly remembered by us all at Wolfson); 1974 May Bumps, care of Henry Rogers; 1985 Men`s 2nd crew care of Graham Murdoch; first social rowing outing of 2020; Men`s 2nd team 2019 after a victorious performance |
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Do you have any pictures you can share? Boat Club dinners, that time you Bumped, some nice shots of a tranquil River Cam with the blue and gold streaking across its surface? By all means please get in touch – we seem to have a hole in our 1990s Boat Club pictures specifically so that would be very appreciated (especially by our lovely archivist Frieda), which you can submit here.
Wolfson College 55th Anniversary
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