Sunday was a busy and poignant day for Stratford upon Avon Boat Club with Club members taking time out from rowing to remember those who died in World Wars and other conflicts past and current

On Remembrance Sunday, the whole Club stopped to meet around the Club’s memorial: as is Club tradition, wreaths were laid by the Club’s oldest member, Paul Stanton and the youngest member, Esmé Barlow, to remember Club members who gave their lives in wars and conflicts. Seventy seven years separate Paul’s and Esmé’s rowing and life experience!

This year Jen Cary, the Club’s President, introduced a new aspect to the Act of Remembrance and had the junior squad members read out the names of Club members on the Roll of Honour on the Club’s memorial who had died in the World Wars and other conflicts. Commenting, Jen said, “We wanted to make the Act of Remembrance more relevant to our younger members and having them read out the names from the Roll of Honour and their participation certainly added to the poignancy of the occasion”

Reflecting further on Sunday’s Act of Remembrance, Jen said, “Whilst the Club is a forward looking organisation with its sights set firmly on the future, we take this time to look back, pause, reflect and give thanks for those who served and died for their country and colleagues so that we may live in peace and pursue our sport with happiness and joy. We were also pleased to have members of the public join our act of remembrance and be part of our community.”