Rowing colours cap, belonging to ON Timothy Goodwin. RGS Archives [ref: RGS/ONS/30]
Rowing
The history of rowing at RGS appears to date back to the late 19th century. The July 1889 Novo magazine describes an early, and short-lived, “R.G.S. Boat Club”, where we were ‘...in possession of a boat-house and no small number of “ships”.’
Photograph of Mr E 'Dicky' Akhurst, 1948. RGS Archives
A Rowing Club was then launched in 1936 by French teacher Mr E ‘Dickie’ Akhurst (staff 1919-57).
The Club was for Sixth Form students with facilities and boats borrowed from the Tyne Amateur Rowing Club (Tyne ARC).
After a hiatus during the Second World War, the sport was revived in the 1949 summer term. It became known as the RGS Boat Club in 1951. In the early 1950s the club still relied on other clubs for boats and boathouses, supported by both Tyne ARC and King’s College Boat Club.
Letter from Headmaster OW Mitchell, relating to the RGS Boat Club, 6 November 1963. Published in Novo magazine, December 1953. RGS Archives, [ref: RGS/NOV/258]
Photograph of RGS rowers 2nd crew at Scotswood Bridge boathouse, 1959. Timothy Goodwin Papers. RGS Archives [ref: Acc 0102]
In 1953, Tyne ARC moved to a new boathouse and the school purchased their old one at Scotswood. This was the first time RGS had our own boathouse, but it also ended the long-standing affiliation with Tyne ARC. Headmaster OW Mitchell (staff 1948-60) wrote to parents and Old Novos for financial support to help buy new boats and oars. At this time there were now over 50 members of the Club.
The Old Novocastrian Association gifted a new Fine Four boat to the school in 1954. Facilities were basic, with the boathouse described as little more than a shack with earth floors, yet enthusiasm and camaraderie flourished despite the river’s notoriously poor condition. By 1957, some of the first school's rowing ‘colours’ were awarded, marking a milestone in formal recognition of the sport at the school.
Photograph of RGS rowers on the river Tyne, c.1950s. RGS Archives [ref: 155]
Photograph of RGS rowers 2nd crew at the Bewick Regatta. 1959. Timothy Goodwin Papers. RGS Archives [ref: Acc 0102]
An Old Novocastrians Boat Club was proposed by Burland Jacob (RGS 1944-49), in May 1955. With thanks to the support and encouragement of Dickie Akhurst, the club was established and the first meeting held on 30th June 1955.). The ON club became formally affiliated with the RGS club the following year, and they entered their first regatta in May 1956.
The 1960s proved to be a pivotal decade for RGS Rowing. Under the guidance of dedicated staff like Joe Liddell (staff 1950-78) and Colin Nichols (staff 1953-86) with support from influential figures such as Bill Cuthbertson (ON 1928-35 and staff 47-74), the club expanded its activities. The crew began competing regularly at regional regattas across the North East, including Berwick, Talkin Tarn, Durham, and Tynemouth, often achieving notable successes despite their relatively novice status.
Photograph of RGS rowers 2nd crew launching at Scotswood Bridge boathouse, 1959. Timothy Goodwin Papers. RGS Archives [ref: Acc 0102]
Photograph of the RGS Boat Club Second Crew, 1961. Photographer: PS Warren. David Bumby Papers. RGS Archives [ref: Acc 0085]
The 1961 season, captained and organized by Geoff Wilkin, coincided with the impending demolition of the old Scotswood Bridge and the school’s aging boathouse, signalling a time of transition for the club. A new boathouse was bought by the school at Blaydon, officially opening on 17th March 1964.
In the late 1970s, the running of the Rowing Club was taken over by Physics teacher Roger Tarry (staff 1977-89). The club maintained a tradition of regular training sessions, typically on Wednesdays and Saturdays and went from strength to strength. Many participants went on to continue rowing beyond school, some competing at university and club levels, and at the Royal Henley Regatta. One ON Roger F Brown (1980-87) rowed for Great Britain at the Olympic Games in 1992 and 1996.
Photograph of RGS rowers on the Tyne, next to the old boathouse by Scotswood Bridge, Novo magazine, September 1963. RGS Archives [ref: RGS/NOV/287]
Photograph from the opening of the new boathouse at Blaydon, 1964. From Novo magazine, May 1964. RGS Archives [ref: RGS/NOV/287]
Rowing stopped being offered as a games option in 2007. However, as of May 2025, it has staged a come-back with the first group of students taken out for a rowing lesson, the first in many years.