Oxford 2023

2023 CIVV Rally in England (The original version is in english)

I would like to report on a stupendous event which has just taken place in Oxford. Thirty-one rowers and four supporters travelled by air to take part in the annual CIVV rally held in England for 2023. Three rowers came from Frankfurt who run the CIVV, one from Amsterdam, one from Berlin, one from Marburg, two from Baunschweig, two from Venice, four from Paris, four from Suce de L’Edre, six from Treviso, and seven from Padua. Most people arrived on Tuesday 18^th July and found their way, on foot or by boat, to the watering hole by the Thames called “The Head of the River” by Folly Bridge. Here old acquaintances were rekindled over beer, lager, cider, and coffee. Some had a row first, English style, in the Draper’s ceremonial shallop helped by Janice and Andrew Thomson from Swanage, who manage this boat.

The next day blessed us with brilliant weather and the whole party, led by Richard Robinson and Ian Hall, boarded ten Venetian boats and wound their way upstream on the Thames past grassy banks to picnic at spot near the village of Eynsham. The picnic lunch there was adeptly organized by Laura Hutchins-Payne. The winding river way back to Oxford via three locks went well, as the sun continued to shine, and muscles responded their owners bidding. This is indeed a green and pretty part of our river.

Thursday morning involved tours through Oxford City to see the sights and learn a little. Clare Oxby led ten people addressing them in French. Richard Robinson, a graduate of the university, led the rest, and all ended up at the ”Rose and Crown” pub for lunch. City Barge was founded here by Richard Norton thirty-one years ago. Debbie and Andrew, the publicans, are still there welcoming and serving us so well after all these years. In the afternoon one group went punting up the river Cherwell to the “Victoria Arms” pub – more beer, more laughter. Others rowed up the Cherwell River by boat to a pleasant spot call “Parsons Pleasure” where men bathed naked in the past. This necessitated creeping, lying down in the boats, under fallen trees and avoiding much overhanging foliage. One witty visitor named it the “Indiana Jones trip”.

Friday was a row far downstream on the Thames to Abingdon with a group which numbered fifty-two people lead by Sue Burton. The “Nags Head” pub on an island under Abingdon Bridge coped very well with serving lunch to this huge influx. City Barge suppled eight Venetian boats, and six others were loaned by club members, but even this huge flotilla was not enough to carry all. The shallop, with six rowers, a whiffler, a cox, and passengers completed the group. Les Burton was in command as the cox. In the evening there was the grand dinner of the rally at the Cherwell Boathouse attended by about fifty-two people. There was singing and merriment in plenty.

Then came the Sixth Oxford International Fun Regatta on Saturday, involving racing round a small island next to the boathouse organized by Pauline Dobbs with Ruth and John Kinahan as timekeepers. This short course tests the maneuverability of the crew as well as their speed. The ladies had the privilege or racing in our new mascareta, “Robbert van Mesdag”, built by club members during the last twelve months. Robbert donated money to the club in his will which paid for all the wood, paint and tools needed. Robbert died very shortly after the CIVV trip to Amsterdam where he regaled us with jokes at the big dinner. There was to be racing round buoys in the Thames in the afternoon, but it was judged better to miss this because of the persistent English rain (Not enough offerings to the gods on Friday). The event wholeheartedly earned its title of “international” this year. In the well decorated Herford College clubroom, we spent almost as much time eating, drinking, laughing, and receiving prizes as we had taken rowing – all good. Ann Holden led the team of ladies who saw to it that we ate so well. Venetian bandieri, supplied by Anna Campagnari, were awarded to the fastest rowers, in mixed pairs, ladies pairs, and single valesana. All attendees received a medal supplied by our printer extraordinaire, Dek Cordingley.

The whole event was coordinated by Richard Robinson, supported by other City Barge members. Thanks go to several members who leant us their boats. It was not easy squeezing them all into the boathouse, so some joined us en route. This is a factual report but not enough can be said to pay tribute to the participants for their bonhomie and enthusiasm. The next annual CIVV event will be in Treviso hosted by Club Sile in June 2024.

Richard Bailey