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TALKIN TARN AMATEUR ROWING CLUB
1859 - 1984 125 years
1859 -
Brass Band contests were a feature of early regattas and the records of 1882 show among the entries such names as the Accrington Rifle Volunteer Band, the Blackhill Teetotal Band and nearer home the Belted Will Rifle Band. In later regattas it is recorded that bands often played in the evenings on illuminated floating platforms and a procession of illuminated boats rowed round the tarn prior to the final fireworks display.
The seven founder members were: Wm Milburn, J. B. Lee, T. Cheesborough, G. Rowntree, J. Armstrong, W. Holmes and W. Carrick and several held office for many years. None more than William Milburn who was Captain, Chairman and President. After his death a cup was presented by his family in 1902 and is now the premier trophy at the main regatta valued at almost £1,000.
The first club boat (The Lady Mary Howard) was presented by Lord Carlisle and today one of the club boats is named “The Howard” showing the long association with the family. The first boat purchased by the club was in 1861 for £15, a far cry from the club’s latest purchase in 1983 of a sculling boat costing £1,800.
The club has had many successful years but none more so than in 1963 when a record number of trophies were won. The club continued to enjoy success through into the 70’s when the club junior rowing came to the fore with several appearances as finalists in the Great Britain Championships and Andrew Sinton the clubs outstanding Junior Sculler gaining England representative honours last year.
Although mixed racing in pleasure boats was introduced in 1891 it was many years before females were fully accepted into this male domain. In 1921 it was still noted that females could subscribe to the club but could not be members. The post war years saw ladies beginning to have tentative outings in racing craft but it was not until 1977 that the first female success was recorded when Karen Mark coxed a male crew to victory at Glasgow. Now females are regularly seen on the tarn, with a trophy presented in 1981 for ladies event at the main regatta.
In 1965 as the only club in the county and still so today, won the National County Eights rowing as Cumberland.
1967 saw the end of an era when the mile race which required the negotiating of a buoy at Tarn End was discontinued. The following year also saw the introduction of Eights racing. Previously it had been felt that the tarn was too small, but now these 60ft plus craft are a feature of the main regatta.
For many years the club had leased the tarn from the Boothby Estates, employing the boatman, administering and controlling the lake and surrounding woods. With the sale of these areas to the Cumbria County Council in 1975 the club relinquished its lease, sold the pleasure boats and began to operate purely as a user of the tarn.
Following its increase in popularity a sailing section of the club was introduced in the early 1960’s and continues to flourish two sailing craft being purchased in 1977 to add to the rowing fleet.
Among the many fruitful years were the lean and sad years and none more so than 1930 when two members of a tarn crew were drowned when their boat swamped at Middlesbrough Regatta. On Saturday one of the survivors, Jim Mounsey still residing in Brampton is sponsoring one of the wrestling weights, and has supplied for display belts won for wrestling at the 1898 and 1899 regattas by his uncle “Tich Bell” a top local wrestler of that era.
The earlier years had thrown up many recordable members of note. The Rev Falle, vicar of Brampton who was captain for 10 years in the late 1800’s and became Dean of Jersey.
The earlier mentioned William Milburn. William Brown a top oarsman and athlete in early 1900’s holder of all main offices and president when he died with over 60 year’s membership. Cyril Ritson who actively competed from around 1910 until 1948 and was mainly responsible for steering the club following the war years. In 1948 in one of his last races he competed in the same eight as his two sons. In the last 25 years there have been many successful oarsmen and scullers, some still actively participating as competitors or officials both locally and afar. One of these, Brian Armstrong, a Vice President of the club, from his southern base has coached several crews to World Championship Medal positions and became a Great Britain selector and later International Rowing Manager.
The Club is to host a Dinner on December 1st to commemorate the 125th Anniversary.
Compiled by Secretary R. A. Mark for publication in the Cumberland Newspaper
Friday. September 14th, 1984.
The seven founder members were: Wm Milburn, J. B. Lee, T. Cheesborough, G. Rowntree, J. Armstrong, W. Holmes and W. Carrick and several held office for many years. None more than William Milburn who was Captain, Chairman and President. After his death a cup was presented by his family in 1902 and is now the premier trophy at the main regatta valued at almost £1,000.
The first club boat (The Lady Mary Howard) was presented by Lord Carlisle and today one of the club boats is named “The Howard” showing the long association with the family. The first boat purchased by the club was in 1861 for £15, a far cry from the club’s latest purchase in 1983 of a sculling boat costing £1,800.
The club has had many successful years but none more so than in 1963 when a record number of trophies were won. The club continued to enjoy success through into the 70’s when the club junior rowing came to the fore with several appearances as finalists in the Great Britain Championships and Andrew Sinton the clubs outstanding Junior Sculler gaining England representative honours last year.
Although mixed racing in pleasure boats was introduced in 1891 it was many years before females were fully accepted into this male domain. In 1921 it was still noted that females could subscribe to the club but could not be members. The post war years saw ladies beginning to have tentative outings in racing craft but it was not until 1977 that the first female success was recorded when Karen Mark coxed a male crew to victory at Glasgow. Now females are regularly seen on the tarn, with a trophy presented in 1981 for ladies event at the main regatta.
In 1965 as the only club in the county and still so today, won the National County Eights rowing as Cumberland.
1967 saw the end of an era when the mile race which required the negotiating of a buoy at Tarn End was discontinued. The following year also saw the introduction of Eights racing. Previously it had been felt that the tarn was too small, but now these 60ft plus craft are a feature of the main regatta.
For many years the club had leased the tarn from the Boothby Estates, employing the boatman, administering and controlling the lake and surrounding woods. With the sale of these areas to the Cumbria County Council in 1975 the club relinquished its lease, sold the pleasure boats and began to operate purely as a user of the tarn.
Following its increase in popularity a sailing section of the club was introduced in the early 1960’s and continues to flourish two sailing craft being purchased in 1977 to add to the rowing fleet.
Among the many fruitful years were the lean and sad years and none more so than 1930 when two members of a tarn crew were drowned when their boat swamped at Middlesbrough Regatta. On Saturday one of the survivors, Jim Mounsey still residing in Brampton is sponsoring one of the wrestling weights, and has supplied for display belts won for wrestling at the 1898 and 1899 regattas by his uncle “Tich Bell” a top local wrestler of that era.
The earlier years had thrown up many recordable members of note. The Rev Falle, vicar of Brampton who was captain for 10 years in the late 1800’s and became Dean of Jersey.
The earlier mentioned William Milburn. William Brown a top oarsman and athlete in early 1900’s holder of all main offices and president when he died with over 60 year’s membership. Cyril Ritson who actively competed from around 1910 until 1948 and was mainly responsible for steering the club following the war years. In 1948 in one of his last races he competed in the same eight as his two sons. In the last 25 years there have been many successful oarsmen and scullers, some still actively participating as competitors or officials both locally and afar. One of these, Brian Armstrong, a Vice President of the club, from his southern base has coached several crews to World Championship Medal positions and became a Great Britain selector and later International Rowing Manager.
The Club is to host a Dinner on December 1st to commemorate the 125th Anniversary.
Compiled by Secretary R. A. Mark for publication in the Cumberland Newspaper
Friday. September 14th, 1984.
On December 13th, 1859 the Talkin Tarn Amateur Rowing Club was founded, and on Saturday, September 22nd at Talkin Tarn the club is holding a Veteran Regatta and Sports to celebrate its 125th year.
As well as Rowing there will be Running, Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling and Tug-O’War events associated with Regattas of the past which were held over 2 and 3 days, and also included Pole Leaping, Greasy Pole, Hound Trails, Dog Walking and other attractions. Past records show special trains running from Carlisle and the East with “streets of tents” set-up to accommodate tradesmen, visitors and competitors.
Although the club was founded in 1859 regattas had been held since 1849. An extract from the Carlisle Journal of August 5th, 1859 advertises this “Aquatic and Athletic Fete” with prize money for wrestling of £60 and presentation medals for Amateur Rowers, valued at 30 guineas. A cash prize of £5 for a skiff race was offered for Watermen (a forerunner of the professional rowing at the Tarn).
As well as Rowing there will be Running, Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling and Tug-
