The Peele B Reunion lunch this year was held at the Leander Club at Henley-on-Thames on Thursday 27th September. Thirty Old Blues and partners sat down in the delightful Club Dining Room overlooking the Thames, surrounded by a glittering collection of silverware won by Britain's premier rowing club.

Maurice Hall welcomed the assembled company and a minutes silence was held in memory of Kathleen Watts, Peele matron from 1949 to 1964, who died earlier this year at the age of 104, Pat Willet (38-46) and David Turner (48-53) who died very suddenly in August. It was a great pleasure to welcome Margaret Turner as a guest.

Amongst those attending were two unique Peele B Old Blues who were honoured during the lunch, Richard Nichols (47-55) and Rodney Dingle (40-47), who each achieved honours in fields unmatched by any Old Blue in the last hundred years.

Richard of course was Lord Mayor in 1997-98 but Rodney’s achievements may be less well known. He won a rowing Blue in 1951, never having rowed before going up to Cambridge, and went on in the same year to win the Grand Challenge Cup at Henley in the Lady Margaret Eight and a European Championship Gold Medal in the GB Eight. Rodney’s medals were on display during lunch and it seemed a particularly appropriate venue to pay tribute to these two distinguished Peele B Old Blues.

In conclusion Maurice Hall and Peter Bloomfield, who initiated the Peele B Association and have organised the last twelve reunions, announced that it was time to hand over the task to a younger generation and the appreciation of those present was expressed for their work over this period.

Peter Bloomfield.

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