Recreational rowing on the Thames at Lower Basildon. Beginners and new members welcome!
GGBC members are invited to join the committee for the next Club forum taking place on Thursday 25 July at the boathouse site. There will be rowing as usual from 6pm followed by a BYO barbecue (we’ll provide the BBQ, you bring your food to cook on it) and an opportunity to provide feedback on the regatta and other club activities, hear about plans for the future, ask questions and make suggestions.
We hope to see as many club members as possible.
Message from Nick Digby:
The facilities and space at our new home are great, but of course the “estate” need managing. Lots of planting has taken place and the new plants are doing well, but there is more to do.
The idea is to encourage the biodiversity on the riverside site, encouraging wild flowers, grasses, the sedge and of course the Lodden Lilies. The site has been neglected and has been taken over by the neighbourhood bullies, thistles, nettles, bindweed and goose grass. We need to control these and give space for the rest to survive and thrive.
We can’t cut or mow the wild areas as we would be cutting and mowing the species we want to encourage, so we have to pull by hand the bullies to give space for the good guys to thrive. Over a period , by pulling out the thistles and nettles, they will become weaker and not produce seed, and so reduce in numbers, but this is a long term process that will take patience, especially given the size of the site. We are therefore currently concentrating on the areas either side of the gravel path the leads to the water.
The gardeners are currently meeting on a Wednesday, after the morning row, about 11.00 am, but anyone can help at any time, by pulling up a few nettles or thistles, and we may also have a session at weekends. A word of warning, make sure you have a decent pair of gardening gloves and I would also recommend long sleeves and long trousers, to stop getting scratched or stung.
Happy gardening!
Lots of boat maintenance happening on Thursdays and Fridays.
Do you (or your family/friends) like gardening?
The GGBC Gardening Club takes place on Wednesdays between 11.30 and 14.30. Bring your lunch and we will do an hour’s work on site before and after a sociable lunch break.
Gardening sessions will also take place during the monthly working parties from 11.00 – 13.00 on site on the following dates:
If you’re interested please let Nick Digby know.
Goring and Streatley Regatta and River Festival – July 20th 2019
We are now in the final stretch in the lead up to this year’s regatta. Summer is just around the corner and Goring Gap Boat Club are putting well-rehearsed plans into action and the draw and race schedule is now finalised.
For anyone not in the know the Goring and Streatley Regatta is held just upstream of Cleeve Lock (nearest postcode RG8 9PU) with the entrance being just off the A329 Wallingford Road.
At the time of writing we have 44 crews signed up to take part in the main racing which offers all day action. In addition, there are other on the water attractions for adults and children alike; a Crafty Raft Race – build and enter a raft and then race it with friends and family (enter online now) – or take part in the Baby Dragon Boat and canoe races (entry on the day). There will also be a chance to “go row” – a coached taster session for adults.
The regatta also hosts many stalls and other attractions to keep young and old entertained. Bring a picnic or be tempted by one of the food stands. Enjoy the bar and get your toes tapping to live music from Goring Unplugged.
With the main action taking place between 11am and 5pm, rent a gazebo spot on the river and make a day of it in luxury!
Entry is £8 – and kids go FREE this year (16s and under). Parking is free too!
For full information go to gsregatta.com.