Wansbeck Rowing Club

Very little is known about the Wansbeck Rowing Club, other than they existed on the River Wansbeck near Ashington, Northumberland and they competed in the North Seaton Rowing Club Regatta in 1925, winning the Coxed Fours event by beating Stakeford Rowing Club in the final.

18th November 1876
The Morpeth Herald reported:
On Saturday a handicap skiff race, promoted by the Wansbeck Rowing Club, was brought off at Cambois, on the Wansbeck. The club gave as first prize a splendid silver cup, with 10 shillings for second and 5 shillings for third. The heats resulted as follows:—First heat —R. Wheatley, scratch, 1; S Henderson, 3 lengths, 2. Second heat.—J. Houliston, 7 lengths, 1; J. Richardson, 3 lengths, 2. Third heat—J. M. Gray, 1 length, 1 ; W. Brown, scratch, 2. Fourth heat —W. Prike rowed over. Fifth heat— H. Marshall bye. Second ties: First heat.—R. Wheatley, 1; J. Houliston, 2. Second heat— Gray, 1; Prike, 2. Third ties—Wheatley, 1; Marshall, 2. Final heat—Gray, 1; Marshall, 2. The distance was half-a-mile - out and in.

1st April 1920
The Blyth News reported:
The annual meeting of the Wansbeck Rowing Club was held on Friday night In the Mechanics' Institute. Cambols. Mr. William Taggart presided, and his opening remarks were appropriate to the occasion. The record of the club during the year had been enhanced by defeating the Walker Rowing Club on the River Tyne for the Oxo Challenge Cup, and the record of the individual oarsmen in the Tyne Christmas Handicap was also very encouraging. James Drysdale and Harry White having been left in the last eight and four respectively. In regard to the financial position, the report on the years transactions showed the income to be (£105 2s 9d and the expenditure £96 16s 1d, leaving a credit balance of £8 6s 8d. The greatest outlay had been for two new boats, which they had purchased recently. The report was accepted as very satisfactory, which proved to be the best year financially they have had. The election of Officers and Committee for the ensuing year resulted as follows:, President. County Coun. J.W. Hogarth: chairman, Mr Joseph R. Nichol; secretary, Mr James Morris, treasurer, Mr Henry White; captain Mr James Drysdale: Vice-captain. Mr Arthur Thirlwell; Committee: Messrs David Hudspith, Edward Hall, C. Lavender, Wm. Taggart, James Drysdale. Arthur Thirlwell, John Drysdale and Thos. Marshall.

18th October 1920
The Blyth News reported:
The Wansbeck Rowing Club have commenced a male voice choir, under the conductorship of Mr. J. Moralee, A.L.C.M. and is making considerable progress.

25th June 1925
The Blyth News reported:
TWO NEW BOATS - Prospects of Wansbeck Rowing Club. A pleasing ceremony was performed at the mouth of the river Wansbeck on Saturday afternoon. when the Wansbeck Rowing Club launched two new four-oared boats. Mr. Joseph Nichol presided and Mr. Geo. Sparks named the boats, one "The Robert Wheatley" and the other "The Wansbeck." In a few appropriate remarks Mr Sparks said that the members of the club were justified in naming a boat after Mr Robert Wheatley. Mr Sparks advised all rowers to learn to swim in case of accident. He also gave a resume of the doings of the club, and said the Wansbeck Club had won the Durham Regatta in 1912 and 1913, two years in succession—a very meritable performance. He wished them every success with their new boats and hoped the young men would benefit by them. Mr D. Etringham moved a vote of thanks to those who had officiated. He said there were always good rowers among the miners. He had not been long at Cambois but he had seen some young men who with practice would make good rowers. Mr W. Taggart seconded the vote thanks. A jumble handicap afterwards rowed out and was witnessed by a large crowd of people. Winter and Watson's crew won.

10th June 1926
The Blyth News reported:
A keen and interesting football match took place in the Welfare Park at Cambois on Monday night, the opposing sides being players chosen from the Cambois Silver Band and the Wansbeck Rowing Club. Mr J. D. Etringham officiated as referee. Mr J. D. won the toss and Mrs Brown, of Cambois Farm kicked off. During a melee in the goalmouth Thompson scored for the Rowers, Hopper scoring a second goal after a corner, a third following shortly after. After the interval Harland scored twice from penalties for the band. The same player added a third also from a penalty, thus completing the hat trick. The game ended shortly afterwards, the result being three goals each. The game was thoroughly enjoyed by about 200 spectators. The feature of the game was the fine defensive work of Harland. Marshall played well as pivot. and Edwards was the best forward on the field. The Rowing Club were best served by Hopper, Hudspith and Tommy Thirlwell. A collection was taken during the game, the proceeds to be devoted to a special fund.

6th March 1933
The Shields Daily News reported:
OARSMEN BEARERS - There was a large attendance at the funeral of Mr Edward Taggart, of Boathouse Terrace, Cambois, who died on Wednesday last. Taggart was a member of the Cambois (Wansbeck) Rowing Club and coxswain for the Wansbeck crews at the Durham Regatta for the past three years. The funeral took place at Cowpen Cemetery, and eight rowers of the club acted as bearers. Deceased leaves a widow and two children.