Hinksey's History

HSS’s co founders, Tom Collins and John Broadhurst, had previously given life to the Headington School Oxford Boat Club which was established in 1991.  John Broadhurst explains where his passion for rowing began.

I was introduced to “Rowing” late in my days at St Edward’s School. I clearly remember my Deputy Housemaster saying that I was the right “geometry” for an oarsman and, as it turned out, I found that I could  also “lift heavy things”. A “Sliding Doors” moment indeed!! I joined Wallingford Rowing Club and between 1962 and 1965 had a fantastic time.  Subsequently I became an Umpire for a year or two, when marriage to Peta and children in the form of Helen, Wendy and Jessica interrupted progress somewhat. Our youngest, Jessica, became the 1st captain of Boats at HSOBC in her Lower V1th Year, when Hilary Davis, Tom Collins and I began coaching an embryonic squad there, which included Tom's daughter Kate, in 1990. While we were developing HSOBC’s activities many passersby said “can I have a go?”  Having to say “no” so often, by 1998, Tom and I figured there might be a need in the community at large.  The rest, so to speak, is History.  

During HSOBC’s formative years, the Government’s Sportsmatch scheme provided 8 small single sculling boats constructed by George Harris Racing Boats of Iffley, Oxford. These small singles were built down to the size of the average 11 year old member of HSOBC at that time. Sports Match granted their award on the understanding that the grant found its way into the "Community" and was not solely used for a small minority.

These boats were, and still are, used on Hinksey Lake in Hinksey Park. This was made possible through the vacation of the Lake by The Oxford University Sailboard Club whose members used the lake for their training prior to moving to Farmoor Reservoir. That Club very conveniently left sailboard racking in the South Oxford Community Centre which the little sculling boats fitted perfectly.

The first "Community" youngsters to use these boats were children of City of Oxford Rowing Club members. Passers-by enquired at the Lakeside and Hinksey First School hosted Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell and others from the GB Olympic Squad as Hilary Davis, Tom & John introduced local youngsters to the sport.

In 1996 the name "Hinksey Sculling School” was adopted by the group operating the training sessions on Hinksey Lake. The development at the lake was steady and a flow of young athletes of all ages, from the Community, began. Once competent, these athletes moved to The CORC on the Thames at Donnington.  A constituted Club was formed in February 1998 and became both a Ltd Company and a Registered Charity in 2004 (Registered Charity No. 1107485).   John describes how it came about

When Tom Collins and I began what we thought would be a small community group in 1998 we had no more thoughts other than keeping to the recommendations by the then Amateur Rowing Association – now British Rowing.  Things developed rather quickly with Nigel Bridle helping us with the accounts and latterly Judith Blake after Nigel. By 2004 it was clear that what we were doing in the “Community” warranted Charitable status as, apart from anything else, that would enable a far wider stratum of support to be approached for finance.  I asked Andrew Ashton my solicitor and co member of Wallingford RC to investigate for me and to my surprise, and I think his also, we received charitable status in double quick time.  Andrew, as he says, has been secretary ever since!  Tom Collins, Chris Adams and I “ran the ship” until 2012 when Chris had to leave us.  

 

In order that this “opportunity” should be available to all, HSS has concentrated, from the beginning, on gathering sponsorship funding to ensure that, having offered a child an opportunity, she/he should not be denied because of the family’s inability to pay club fees.  Since 1998, we have received Charitable Sponsorship in excess of £300,000 which has also enabled us to provide our members with the equipment needed for training & competition.

Having outgrown the facilities on the River Thames at the CORC, St Edwards School was approached with a request that they consider helping a young Community Club by allowing access to the river from their site. The Club will be forever grateful to "Teddies" for granting our request,  thus enabling HSS to maintain the “Nursery” at the Hinksey Lake site and begin a development squad at Godstow.

Over 27 years later we continue to operate on Hinksey Lake and now at a site at Radley College's boathouse, south of Oxford. We are extremely grateful to everyone at Radley for this exceptional support.  Today we have 110 athletes / members ... and we continue to offer bursaries to any athlete who needs support with the fees.

John Broadhurst - An Extraordinary Legacy