FoR Members’ Day, August 22nd 2015

Saturday August 22nd saw the Friends of Raymond run our first ‘Member’s Day’. Luck was on our side – in this damp summer we actually had a fine day for our outing, instigated and organised by ‘the two Nicks’; Nick Lake, our new Treasurer, and Nick Scarcliffe, our Captain and Restoration Chief.  This event had been planned at rather short notice, but even so a total of fifteen members and guests embarked after a quick introductory word from the chairman.  An easy trip from Braunston to Hillmorton, on the outskirts of Rugby, allowed a number of our guests to try their hands at steering the motor or butty; an exercise in winding at Kilsby Wharf and reversing up to the pub showed off Nick S’s talents, ably assisted by Trevor Maggs as supervisor and Ian Mulford and Tom Bonewell as bow-thrusters.

The Old Royal Oak at Hillmorton Wharf looked after us all superbly, providing a private room for our lunch; both the food and service were excellent, and we were all feeling somewhat replete as we set off for the return journey.  Back at Braunston about 4.30pm, the sun still shining, and people seemed reluctant to depart, standing on the towpath by the Stop House chatting – but eventually our guests drifted away, and the boats were returned to their mooring.  It proved to be a very enjoyable day for all involved, the crew as much as the visitors, and plans are already afoot for a second similar day next year, maybe in the spring.  This time we will give everyone more warning, and we will hope to see even more of our less active members come to enjoy the boats that they support so loyally.

Steve Miles