Huw Williams

Memories of rowing at Wycliffe in the 60s

One of the benefits (admittedly there are few) of the lockdowns is that there is no excuse for putting off sorting out the old photos and records gathering dust in the loft. It was doing that I came across an article written by Mr Peter Beynon in the Wycliffe Star describing our rowing season in 1969. This was extraordinary to read, not only for how beautifully crafted it was, but the events he described came back to life for me as though they had happened yesterday.

We were having a practice outing at Reading in June 1969 prior to racing at the regatta the next day. Rowing an eight needs ultimate concentration and a unique pairing of skill and strength. To bring those elements together, even for experienced oarsmen is challenging , but for those of us embarking on our rowing careers the element of chance was also crucial. For us that evening on the Thames at Reading all these planets came into line. We were always inspired by Peter Beynon and he sensed something special was happening and let us get on with enjoying a unique experience for the crew. Whatever we did we did perfectly. Starts, sprints, rate changes – the boat sat truly balanced in the still warm air of a beautiful summer evening. We could do no wrong – we even managed to change rates and pressure with no commands from the cox  – just by following each other.

We didn’t want it to end, but eventually we returned to the bank to a beaming Peter Beynon. He had been following us on his battered bike when a passerby had asked him if we were Durham University. (They rowed in the same colours as Wycliffe and were very good). As we packed things away ready for tomorrow’s race I remember him telling us that the river gods had smiled on us that evening and that we should never forget what it felt like.

I rowed in many crews after that, but few, if any, got close to the perfection we experienced on the Thames that balmy summer evening when  the river gods did smile on us and  took away our mortal inhibitions allowing us to be at one with our boat and the water.

Many years passed and I met a member of the crew, by chance, at a mutual friend’s house. We recognized each other and the first thing he said to me was ‘Do you remember that evening at Reading?’ Remember it? I shall never forget it.

A short memory of Peter Beynon.

He was truly an inspirational man who was without doubt , the most influential person I met at Wycliffe. There were many good teachers, in fact the school had plenty , but his ability to motivate and educate was incredible and he stood out from the norm. He was a multidimensional person arriving at school on a motorbike or some extraordinary vintage car. He was nominally the art teacher but he was a brilliant artist in his own right as well as a carpenter and builder. He gave a series of lectures at Wycliffe on the art of the impressionists that even sowed a seed of curiousity in a philistine like me. He had an amusing anecdote to fit all occasions and used the best stories to illustrate some of the finer points of rowing. ‘I want you to go so fast off the start – like a goat with his b—lls on fire was one of many. He was also a great mimic, raconteur and a seriously good pianist. I never once saw him lose his temper which when dealing with teenage boys was something of a miracle. He could also drive the Boat Club bus like a Ferrari and make it backfire when the moment demanded it. Through his membership of Leander Club we were introduced to the highest levels of rowing in the country. I continued to row after Wycliffe at university and various clubs. Even as a veteran after every race, especially if we won, I said a quiet thank you for teaching me to row well.

Huw Williams Wycliffe 1961 – 69