VE Day at Durham ARC
by Josie Watson
Tees Recs have a good relationship with the daytime rowers at Durham ARC and visit each other from time to time.
We were invited to join them for a special VE Day Celebration and Commemoration. Three rowers and two spectators were able to go.
Durham sent out a special Eight with all the rowers and cox being 80 years old or over as well as launching a wooden Octuple with a mixed crew of Durham and Tees Rowers (it was a flying machine and great fun).
We spotted herons, a pair of Mandarin ducks and the usual Mallards with numerous fluffy chicks including an albino chick.
The row was followed by a meal of Corned Beef Hash and Bread and Butter Pudding (in the wartime tradition) followed by a commemorative cake. The two minutes silence was observed and the food was enjoyed by all.
It was a good opportunity to catch up with old friends, many of whom we rowed against in the Northern League events a number of years ago and from much earlier years for John Green who started his rowing days at Durham.
