CENTENARY ACTIVITIES – ALREADY COMPLETED
After a great deal of planning, it’s good to see some things having successfully come to fruition. These include:

• Amsterdam Tour – it happened but still remains shrouded in secrecy! Apparently 22 people went and 22 also came back, although allegedly 1 person who was a little worse for wear had an impromptu dip in a canal and had to be rescued to rejoin his comrades.
• Centenary Logo – this has been produced and is in use on various items, as shown in this article. It contains our standard rampant lion together with wording to indicate our century and the oars in club colours as a nod to the original rowing club. Thanks to Damien Sawyer for the design.
• Special Playing Shirts – all black shirts as worn in our inaugural season with the new centenary logo have now been produced by our suppliers. We are very grateful to the Elizabethan Lodge of the Bath Freemasons for sponsoring these unique centenary shirts, which contain their logos on sleeves. Thanks also to Xander Hall-Davis for sorting out designs and orders. An official presentation and squad photo will take place before the first match of the season on 6th September.
• Pitch Side Boards – these have now been produced and installed, one at the side of the 1st team pitch and one on the rails outside the kitchen window. Thanks to Adrian Watts for putting them up and to Damien for arranging production. NB these show the style of boards that we are hoping various businesses will agree to display in order to act as club sponsors.
• Electronic Scoreboard – as described in the last Newsletter, this has very generously been funded by Del Ayliffe and has now been erected (just awaiting completion of the electrics ready for use at the start of the season.)
• Sponsorship Leaflets – printed and sponsorship opportunities being sought from various sources.

CENTENARY ACTIVITIES – IN PROGRESS
Meanwhile the following activities and events are all being actively progressed, some very close to completion and some others obviously scheduled for next year.

• Casual Social Shirt – 80 retro-style shirts have been ordered and are awaiting delivery for the first home game. Thanks to Russ Hindmarch for arranging design and orders.
• Centenary Merchandise – the order has now been submitted for polos, t-shirts, hoodies, caps etc which should hopefully be ready early season. Thanks again to Xander for coordinating. For those who missed out, a follow up order will be placed mid season.
• Centenary Tie – a last minute decision was made to order a supply of these which hopefully should also be available at the first game of the season. Thanks again to Russ for arranging.
• Centenary Painting – to feature some stalwarts across the 10 decades being painted in playing kit of the time by Jake Coates. Postponed to mid season due to Jake’s house move.
• Dinner/Dance – 3 course meal with wine and disco booked for Saturday 9th May 2026 at the Apex hotel from 6pm until midnight for £50 pp. Over 210 deposits now received so approaching maximum limit. Further work required on things like seating plans, collecting rest of payments, set up arrangements, table decorations, menu cards, etc. This is going to be an excellent end to our centenary season so, if you haven’t booked, then act quickly as only limited spaces are still available.
• Sponsorship – Julian and Tina Thresher are contacting local businesses with the sponsorship opportunities available. Our players also need to be active to seek sponsorship to assist the operation of our Club. However, this is also a great opportunity for former players and other members to play a role in supporting the Club by maybe sponsoring a player or taking up an advertising board next to the pitch. Don’t be shy!
• Club Photo – 1st team squad to be taken in new shirts at first game of season. Hopefully, we can also get photos of the whole club at a later date, including the “Elite”, Officials and Supporters.
• Family Fun Day – this is set for Sunday 24th May 2026 and is being organised by Debbie Robinson (Crane). This promises to be a wonderful day, consisting of food, drinks, music, kids activities, family events, etc. There is also a possibility of Dragon Boat races on the river – more information later.
• Publicity – will happen throughout the season on various types of social media via Ian Parris and Steve Bird. We have already had an almost full page spread in the Bath Chronicle, whilst the Bath Echo and the Local Look magazine will be following shortly.

CENTENARY ACTIVITIES – TO BE CONFIRMED
Some other potential ideas which are awaiting confirmation, planning and resourcing are shown below. However, if you have any other ideas or suggestions or, even better still offers to help, then please get in touch.

• 7s Tournament – we have unofficially heard that the Combination 7s have been awarded to us in 2026. This would be a huge undertaking (and earner) and will need significant resources to set up and stage. More information is awaited
• Centenary Match – there is also a possibility that we could play a special match against the Bath Combination or perhaps Old Sulians who were formed in 1926 and are celebrating their centenary in the New Year.
• 100 Year History Book – consideration is being given to: (a) either writing an updated version of the 90 year edition but with a new section to cover the past 10 years; or (b) to simply write an “addendum” as a type of 10 year addition from 2015-2026 to accompany the original; or (c) doing neither. A significant workload would be involved for options (a) and (b), together with printing costs and the subsequent sales of a new/updated version. Here’s a question – would you be interested in buying (a) or (b)?