Our Heritage

Town rowing since 1880

VIPs

Edward Vaughan Bevan

Dr. Edward Bevan was President of the Club for 35 years (1946-1980). He rowed at Cambridge for First Trinity BC, and won a Gold medal at the 1928 Olympic Games when the First Trinity coxless four was selected to represent Great Britain.

Further details can be found on wikipedia.

Ted Mansfield (1926 – 2006)

Ted was Captain (1955-56), Vice-Captain (1857-58), Chairman (1970-80) and a Life Member of the Club. He passed away in April 2006

Obituary

“Edward Thomas Mansfield was born June, 1926 making him 79 years old.

He was the youngest of six children, 4 boys and 2 girls born into a Rob Roy influence. His Father was a Vice President and two of his three brothers plus a cousin were all rowing members.

During the latter part of the War he joined the R.A.F. hoping to fly but manpower shortages in the Army and consequent redeployment meant him having to exchange his blue uniform for khaki and he saw service in Egypt.

On ‘demob’ in 1948 he joined the Rob’s but a bout of malaria prevented him from competing that year. However, he made up for it by winning the Memorial Trophy with the 2nd boat in 1949. He won several trophies on the Cam, and away, culminating in 1995 when he made his last Bump with the CLub’s Veteran crew at the age of 69.

After being Captain in 1955 and 1956 he was Vice Captain in 1957 and 1958. He was an active committee man not only for the club but also for the Rob Roy Trust in their boathouse venture.

He became Chairman of the committee from 1970 to 1980 which meant amongst other activities the 1976 Commerative Dinner on the occasion of Dr. Bevan completing 30 years as President and the Clubs’ Centenary Dinner in 1980.

He was an active Life Member and represented the club on C.R.A. occasions, for whom he was an Auditor.

A sedentary life was not for Ted after retirement from Cambridge City Council employment. Between holidays and abroad with Peggy he found time to be Chairman of Friends of Addenbrooke’s, Treasurer of the Retired Guildhall Staff Association, Chairman of the Friends of Milton Road Library and played a prominent part in the construction of the Scout H.Q’s. in Newnham. He enjoyed Ballroom Dancing and used the swimming pool every week.

For the last six years Ted had suffered from Prostate Cancer but never made a big deal of it. The last few months had been difficult for him healthwise but he never complained. He was a modest man, unflappable and loyal to his friends and club.

To finish a quote said by the offspring of a friend who knew Ted. “If I could choose someone to be my Grandad I would choose Ted Mansfield.”

What else can one say?”

Obituary written by Curly Galbraith.