Look back at a year of Lady Margaret Boat Club bicentenary celebrations
The Lady Margaret Boat Club’s Honorary Secretaries Ben Fenocchi (2022) and Eleanor Laughton (2020) have taken a look back at a year of celebrations for the club’s bicentenary year.
“Our Head of the Cam celebrations were a perfect way to kick off an incredible bicentenary, setting the tone of celebration and community which only grew stronger throughout the year. With six alumni crews entered, the Cam was once again filled with blazing red blades as our recent alumni crew stormed their way to victory in their division. It was a clear testament that even as the years pass by, the adage remains true, once a Maggie rower always a Maggie rower. The races were followed by a barbecue at the Lady Margaret Boat Club.
“We had two full crew reunions for Head of the Cam with Karen Wiemers 1991 W1 who previously held headship, as well as the 1989 M1 who got to see the headship plate for the first time and take some photos with the Master.
“May Bumps this year was truly unforgettable. The men’s side retained double Headship in LMBC’s 200th year, making the week feel especially significant. The atmosphere on the river was electric, with alumni turning out in force to cheer from the banks, and their support gave every crew an extra lift with each stroke. The dinner that evening was a brilliant celebration of friendship and community, rounding off an extraordinary week in fitting Maggie style.
“Henley was yet another fabulous highlight of the year. It was wonderful to see a sea of red blazers lining the banks and to connect with so many LMBC alumni and friends. Our huge thanks to everyone who helped organise the weekend and to those who generously donated Stewards’ Enclosure badges. And Annamarie Phelps (1984) convinced the Henley band to play a rendition of ‘Viva Laeta’ the LMBCA song which was very memorable if only for our very out of tune singing!
“The bicentenary dinner in September was the crowning showstopper to a year of spectacular events. With almost 250 alumni ranging from those who matriculated in 1952 right up to 2022, Hall was fit to burst. The dinner was filled with laughter and celebration as old friends reunited, new friendships were formed and we sat in awe of the history surrounding us.
“One line from former Honorary Secretary Harry Fieldhouse’s (2018) speech made everyone laugh and was quoted several times the following few days. He said: ‘In 1825, 12 blokes had had enough of walking. They decided they wanted to sit down more, and travel backwards, relatively fast. So the Lady Margaret Boat Club was born, and over the last 200 years many more people have followed in their footsteps, and have sat down, and travelled backwards – relatively fast.’
“This bicentenary year has reminded us that LMBC’s legacy isn’t just about speed, but about spirit. We don’t row simply to make boats go fast – we row because, in striving together, we build something lasting. The celebrations captured that perfectly: a community united by pride, hard work and tradition, spanning generations. It’s been a privilege to play a small part in the club’s 200th year and to help carry its legacy forward into the next 200 years.”
Viva Laeta,
Ellie & Ben
