Isles of Scilly World Pilot Gig Championship 2011
Serafina Dedication Poem 5th February 2011
Supporter poem
Poster poem
Isles of Scilly World Pilot Gig Championship 2010
Isles of Scilly World Pilot Gig Championship 2009
Circe Dedication Poem 29th November 2008
World Pilot Gig Championship 2011
“All for one and one for all” is a well-known battle cry,
And our Club just back from Scillies can tell the reason why:
The least of all our problems was the very windy weather,
For faced with wretched challenges we simply pulled together.
‘Twas the third year for our young Club, containing old and new,
When injury and sickness did so decimate our crew,
And with a mix of “I’ll row on” and “Here, I’ll take your part”,
“All for one and one for all” was writ large on ev’ry heart.
That Friday evening in the wind our Vet crew ventured forth,
Our mix of male and female had to row for all their worth,
Against the men they rowed damn hard and beat some all male crews,
And at the end we smiled and cheered for this their welcome news.
Long races on the Saturday were Ladies and the Men
Rowing to St Agnes Isle then rowing back again!
The wind was fierce, the sea was rough, the gigs just slewed about
Caught twixt swell and wind and tide, crews had no breath to shout!
But as the afternoon wore on, the breeze did not abate,
And our four crews did soldier on with cries of “Length!” “More weight!”
And came reward for teamwork true as we yelled “Nan-ker-sey!”
The best sight yet, first in their heat, was Lucy’s proud Men’s B!
Now Sunday saw the finals that we knew we could not win
But when Men’s B beat our Men’s A could this be deemed a sin?!
All crews rowed hard, all did their best, that’s what we need to say.
The racing done, we packed our gigs and both were stacked away.
Bishop and Wolf became our lair as day drew to its end
And as we drank and ate and laughed we joyed in new found friends
Good praise we gave to all that came to share our best endeavour,
For we were clear our Club had won despite the blasted weather.
But Monday came, the wind increased, Scillonian tried its luck
But hundreds were a-stranded here when it didn’t make it back!
“All for one and one for all” fulfilled once more our need!
Nankersey you’re the greatest! On fellowship we feed!
A final thought to share dear friends of this superb weekend
For some it’s been a struggle, and for some new lessons learned,
But we’re a team that’s been well forged through simple brotherhood:
“All for one and one for all.” Nankersey are you GOOD!
©Ken Cooper May 2011
SERAFINA DEDICATION POEM: 5th February 2011
With Cornish elm our native wood
The solid substance of this boat,
Nankersey Rowing Club declares
This has to be the best afloat!
We’ve watched as Andrew plank by plank
Built beauty from his perfect plan,
And as the weeks moved into months
He proved he is a master man!
And like our Club that started small
We knew just where we were going, -
To give to everyone that sought
The pleasure and love of rowing.
So Circe gets a sister true
Two boats, one Club, great team:
Nankersey Rowing Club our name
To have good fun our simple theme.
So thank you all those gathered here
For your support just makes worthwhile
The vision that began this Club
Which was and is to share a smile.
Thankyou Andrew for your build-
Dancing waves like ballerina!
Thankyou Bishop for your blessing:
Three proud cheers for Serafina!
©Ken Cooper Flushing 5th February 2011
For copy with photos of the Serafina dedication poem 6.2.11.pdf click here. The original is on the back wall of the Royal Standard, Flushing, along with a number of other pictures, news items and memorabalia.
POEM FROM A STALWART SUPPORTER!
There’s a rowing club down west named Nankersey
Who row out under the sign
Of the oar and swan
And who are going from strength
To strength
Even if they haven’t been going
All that long
Oh they may well be a bunch
Of Cornish rebels
Who row on the Fal most days?
But if you want to go rowin
Without any hassle or intimidation
It so often has to be this way.
For blue is the colour of their gigs
And blue is the colour of their tops
For rowing is what they are
All about from
Their hats right down to their socks
So drop in the catches clean like cleavers
And come out on the finish
Upright and gentle the same,
Because it’s everyone’s right to go rowin
While all the best rowers never get there
With out first a little competitive pain!
©Kevin Pyne from Dartmouth Gig Club 2011
POSTER POEM 2010
Of all the clubs beside the sea, there’s one right here to note,
For those that love the water free, but can’t afford a boat,
For those that love to have good friends, and share a laugh or two,
To try new things, row in our gig , and taste the local brew!
To share the fun with locals is what you really ought!
Just ring this local number 376922,
And Anne, re-elected chairman, would so love to talk with you.
So gentle folk in Flushing do please give us your support,
And find what fun with CIRCE bold can readily be sought.
We’d love to have you join us wherever you hale from,
Just take a look at Nankersey Rowing Club.com
And if you have been interested, its job has been well done.
There is a leaflet (knock the door!), which you can take back home,
Or simply visit on the Web, just type our name.com!
©Ken Cooper 2010
Fog rolled in, planes did not fly, Scillonian crammed and bursting,
Fears increased as ‘cross the Isles the situation wors’ning;
But by the Friday night my friends Nankersey was all here,
And when the Men’s Vets all rowed off we gave a mighty cheer!
The rain just cleared, their race was dry, although the wind was strong,
And in their thoughts as they rowed hard, “My word this race is long!”
Some thirty other gigs had passed when ours came into view,
And “Damn well done” was in all thoughts when we saw Circe’s blue!
The swell was deep, the wind no friend, enough to make one frown,
And Saturday’s long race we knew the chips were really down.
We had three boats, Peveril, Verbena and our Circe,
We had for each a good luck cheer, for we were Nankersey!
Just getting to the start so hard, wind was getting stronger,
And for each the thought the same, we can’t do this much longer!
Backs bent strong, legs pushed hard, arms pulled and breath came tight,
Yet somehow all increased again when finish was in sight.
How well we did, how well we did, with rowers mostly new,
With coxes urging, urging on, each person part one crew.
And storming through to win their league the Ladies B excelled,
But all our crews could be so pleased, with pride our hearts just swelled.
Permit me please some extra thoughts, of those who gave their all,
For some did row and cox aswell, - our Barney, Anne, John Ball,
And others thinking of the Club maintained the selfless dream
That true success is playing hard and playing for the team.
Thank you one and all dear friends, coxes, crews, supporters too,
Who as a Club now stand with pride and wear our royal blue.
We had great fun, and for a few it brought a joyous tear,
And confidence, still carrying on, the better every year!
Crew |
Position |
Cox |
Team |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Men's Vets | 32/62 |
Anne | Paul | JB | Chris | Justin | Simon | Nick Sl. |
| Ladies A | 70/113 | JB | Steffi | Susan | Sue | Anne | Cara | Lucy |
| Ladies B | 73/113 | Barney | Sylvia | Naomi | Amy | Nancy | S-J | Jo |
| Men's A | 95/121 | Anne | Luke | JB | Justin | Nick Sl | Paul | Barney |
| Men's B | 99/121 | Jane | Sam | Peter | Chris | Nick St | James | Damien/Robbie |
©Ken Cooper May 2010
Oh dare to dream my gallant friends of being out at sea,
Afloat a gig that’s proud and ours, the beautiful CIRCE!
With love and magic care she changed to colours white and blue,
And with hard work and sweat and tears became a part of you.
And as I stood and watched the gig a-pulled along the sand,
I knew deep down that NANKERSEY was something special, grand.
For there was present something rare, that joyous sense of fun,
Embracing all the crew, supporters, friends and everyone.
Each time the gig was launched we marvelled just how far we’d come
Each time when back we cheered the crew, for sweat had freely run.
The six-foot swell and raging wind was taken in its stride:
The mix of novice and wise years just added to our pride.
And as our gig crossed finish lines and sealed its place in time,
The aching limbs and gasping breath shout out that “All is fine!”
We ran our races for each other, for this was our CIRCE,
Oh dare to dream my gallant friends, success was meant to be!
©Ken Cooper May 2009
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With birth pangs lasting these four years
A babe has sprung through joy and tears,
And with a loud and healthy cry
Has launched a club to upwards fly!
The founder members quite a crew
Firm bonded in a common view:
To help the village re-ignite
The value of this word “UNITE.”
For once again the common cause
Will stir the heart and give it pause:
For together, young through to old,
This Club will stand as Flushing Gold!
From Famous Flushing’s sleek-necked swan
An emblem that is proudly worn,
And as the swan protects its nest
We’ll fight my friends for all that’s best.
So raise the colours blue and white
And make this a familiar sight!
Through waters East, South, West and North
Rejoice with us as we launch forth!
So gentle folk lend your support
And see success for all be wrought.
Let’s celebrate! this is some cub!
Three cheers for Flushing Rowing Club!
©Ken Cooper 29 November 2008
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