Minerva 'class of the nineties’ reunion

24th August, 2024

It all started in a pub in London after a march: three ex members of Minerva met by chance and discussed how great it would be to get the old crews together again. A planning weekend was organised and a WhatsApp group set up. Those first few added any contacts they knew, and the contacts list grew to over 70!

The reunion weekend kicked off with about 20 meeting in the Pulteney Arms on Friday 16 August. Saturday morning some walked to the old club site at Bathampton, despite the fuzzy heads. That evening, more than 40 met at the Harrington Club for chilli, chat and skittles, with some continuing their evening on an undisclosed dance floor!

On Sunday morning, after coffee at The Boathouse, a few brave souls went paddle boarding from Minerva’s landing stage. Those who had a look round our facilities were seriously impressed at how the club has grown. In fact Di, who won her first few pots with Helen Cooke and me in 1989/90, and is still rowing at Pengwern, became quite emotional, as we have grown from a club of about 12 rowers! In those days there was Arnold (of course) coaching and sculling, coach Mike Mannerson, a senior men’s four (Pizza crew), senior women (Meatheads) and a few novices, including Di, Helen and me in a four and Dr Wallis in his novice single scull. There was one fine four – Aquae Sulis, which the senior crews used, and some wooden boats including Donoratico, an Italian four with castellated sax board which the novices rowed.

In the 1990s the club grew rapidly, including merging with City of Bath rowing club, and acquiring more fine boats such as City of Bath and Jolly Roger. Lots of crews were formed and raced, with many stories to tell. The site at Bathampton became less practical as floods were more frequent, and due to hard work and negotiations by club members, we eventually were able to move to our new home, and the rest, they say, is history!

Report by Jocelyn Nichols