Christmas arrived early at Exmouth Rowing Club in the shape of the now-traditional pre-Yuletide celebrations, held in the Clubhouse itself. Fifty members and assorted partners attended. 

Dress code was strictly Bavarian, in keeping with the intended consumption of various beers, and a rich variety of lederhosen, Tyrolean hats, and Y-shape braces pounced on plates of Hungarian Goulash.  

Two exceptions were Bjorn Fock, an ex-member of the Hamburg Rowing Club, who came dressed as a human being, and Club Chairman Richard Robinson, who got confused and borrowed his kit from a Morris-dancer. 

The club raffle raised a club record of £377, thanks to prizes donated by many of the club’s seafront neighbours, including Rockfish, Barbouys, the Beach pub, The Point bar, and the Ocean.  

The money has been presented to Shirley Newcombe, Vice Chair of the Exmouth Foodbank, to fill Xmas bags for needy families across the town.  

“It’s a great gesture,” she said. “And believe me, the money will be put to very good use. Times are hard but gestures like these are the essence of Christmas.” 

Reflecting on another great year, ERC Vice Chair Suzanne Isaacs applauded the club’s success in the Coastal League, with overall victories in the Men’s Open and Ladies 50+ class.  

“We’ve also hit a total membership of one hundred, with a long waiting list,” she said. “So I’m guessing we must be doing something right.”