North Seaton Rowing Club

North Seaton Rowing Club was a professional rowing club formed in 1895 and existed until 1950?. The Club was based on the north bank of the River Wansbeck at North Seaton.

15th September 1896
The Blyth News reported:
On Friday evening, the members of the North Seaton Rowing Club held a meeting in the boat house, presided over by Mr A. Gladstone. There was a good attendance of members. The chief part of the business was the election of a committee and officers for the next twelve months, to consider the report of the secretary re the progress of the handicap, and the financial condition of the club. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President G.B. Forster; vice-president, J.H. Nicholson; Captain, A Gladstone; Treasurer. N. Robinson; secretary, E.Blain; committee. J.Curtis. J.Love, T.Nicholson, T.Gibson, J.F.Johnstone, G.Black. The uniform colours of the club were decided to be black and blue jerseys and caps. The Secretary then reported that the officials and deputies of the colliery had presented splendid gold and silver medals to the club to be competed for as the first and second prizes in their first handicap, which commences on September 19th. He then presented the starts of the 16 entrants as follows:—N.Robinson, scratch, Blain 17 sec. J.Love 27, F.Johnstone 28, T.Nicholson 29, G.Black 32, J.Curtis 31, E Wilkinson 34, A.Gladstone 40, J.Armstrong 38, H.Cochrane 36, H.Connell 40, W.Atkinson 56, W.Jordan 38, G.Gascoigne 50, R.Gibson 51. Messrs B Blain and Robinson officiated as handicappers. Mr W.Hogg has been appointed timekeeper, and Mr.Lee, of Blyth, distance judge. The financial condition of the club was very healthy, votes of thanks being given to several gentlemen for having subscribed liberally towards the funds.

6th April 1897
The Blyth News reported:
CHRISTENING CEREMONY AT NORTH SEATON - At the boathouse, North Seaton Colliery, the christening took place of the two new boats that have lately been obtained by the club; one of which went under the name of the " Sydney Stone " at the last Christmas handicap at Newcastle. The other is new boat fitted up by Messrs Swaddle, of Scotswood, as a companion. About two o'clock a very large meeting of members, hon. members. and patrons was held, presided over by Mr A. Gladstone, the president of club. He also stated that it was the intention of the club to commence the Easter handicap on Good Friday morning, for which Mr J.T. Heslop, North Seaton Low Quay, bad given a gold medal as first prize, and Dr C. H. Even had given a pair of sculls as a second prize. it was also the intention of the members to form a swimming club an connection with the rowing club during the summer months, which would induce a good many more of the youths to join the club and take an interest in affairs. Dr. C.H. Evers rechristened the "Sydney Stone" the "Dr Nansen" by breaking a bottle of champagne over it, a name chosen by Mr. W. Fenwick. Newbiggin. Mr J.T. Heslop then christened the other new boat "Gallant Foe" with more champagne, the name being chosen by Mr G. Covell, Newbiggin. The boats were then taken by Mr. R. Robinson, the Treasurer, and Mr Rhein, the secretary of the club, over half-a-mile in good time. The colliery brass band was in attendance, under the leadership of Mr James Anderson, and played a good selection of music. The members then retired to the boathouse, where the evening was spent in jovial manner. Refreshments were supplied by the committee. The club has now 30 members, hon. members, and upwards of 40 patrons, who have contributed largely towards the of the club, during the short time of its career.

14th November 1899
The Shields Daily News reported:
In the presence of a large gathering of patrons, the new house acquired by the Blyth Rowing Club, was opened Saturday afternoon by Richard Nicholson, President of the club. After the ceremony a boat race was rowed between two members of the club, Messrs Anty Scott, of Blyth, and Robert Thompson, of North Seaton over a course of a quarter of a mile for £10. The North Seaton man got away fast at the commencement, and held the lead for the first hundred yards, but Scott then got on terms, and eventually won a good race by two clear lengths.

23rd June 1911
The Morpeth Herald reported:
NORTH SEATON ROWING CLUB HANDICAP - £1 will be given towards entrance of 1 shilling each, to commence on June 22nd at the Low Quay. Distance about a half-mile. Confined to members. Handicap pulled out Friday, 23rd and Saturday

4th July 1913
The Morpeth Herald reported:
NEW BUILDING - New headquarters are being erected for North Seaton Rowing Club on a site kindly given by the Cowpen Coal Company, and this will enable the members to take greater advantage of the tides. The Coal Company has also generously subscribed towards the cost of the new building.

19th August 1913
The Newcastle Daily Chronicle reported:
NEW BOATHOUSE - The new boathouse which has been erected near Waterside Cottages, North Seaton, for the North Seaton Rowing Club, was formally opened yesterday afternoon. The boathouse has been built by the Cowpen Coal Company under the supervision of Mr J.Willis, the engineer to the Company, at a cost of £60. which will be repaid to the company. The building is of timber with a brick foundation, and is 30 feet long by 14 feet wide, with accommodation for four boats and stripping quarters for the crews, together with a suitable landing stage. The membership totals 60. Mr. J. Manderson, president of the club, performed the ceremony by hoisting the Club flag. Tea was afterwards served by the lady members of the club. Afterwards, a four-oared match for the Kinnair Challenge Cup, which has been presented to the club by Dr. Thompson, of Ashington, was decided over the half-mile course on the Wsnabeck. Seaton Hirst Excelsior Band was in attendance and rendered selections of music

29th August 1919
The Morpeth Herald reported:
CONCERT IN AID FUNDS - In aid of funds for the North Seaton Rowing Club, a successful concert was held on Wednesday evening in the Hippodrome, which was kindly lent for the occasion. There was very large and appreciative audience. Colonel J.H. Nicholson, of Cowpen presided. The chairman said that it must be very gratifying to the club members to see such a large audience. He was glad the club was endeavouring to keep up the good old English sport of rowing. The club was formed eleven years ago, and remembered when they had to go down to the shore for the boathouse. They asked the Colliery Company if they could have the boathouse built at the village and he knew that it had been greatly appreciated. The Coal Company appreciated the club’s thanks, knowing that had been a success. The club went on very well until the war. Of course, they had had ups and downs. Once when the club was in low water, Mr. Young granted them the use of the Hippodrome, and as the result of an excellent entertainment, they raised a goodly sum. During the war, nearly all the members had enlisted, and now that they had come back the club had got started again, and he hoped the club would be very successful in the future. Mr. Young had again granted them the use of the hall as he was always ready to help the North Seaton People. The club had bought two new sculling boats, and he felt sure that the club would benefit considerably, as a result, of that concert. (Applause.) The programme, consisting of vocal and instrumental music proved a great musical treat. Those who contributed to the programme were all well received. The artistes were Miss Stewart (soprano). West Sleekburn, Miss Tweddle (soprano). North Seaton, Mr. L. W. Crane (comedian). Bedlington, Mr. P. Riggs (bass), Choppington, Mr. J. Jordan (rag-time comedian), Newcastle, Mr. J. Stewart (tenor). West Sleekburn, Mr. C. Hunter (clog dancer), Bedlington. Messrs. A. Owens and T. Ritson (duetists), North Seaton. Pleasing selections were played by North Seaton Colliery Brass Band, under the leadership of Mr. R. Kirkup. On the motion of Mr. Isaac Brown of the Colliery, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Colonel Nicholson for presiding.