28 July 2017
Tim Koch has a final Doggett’s piece for this year.
The French expression plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose (the more things change, the more they stay the same) applies to several events beloved of Hear The Boat Sing: The Oxford – Cambridge Boat Race, Henley Royal Regatta, The Wingfield Sculls – and the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager. This is best illustrated in pictures, not words, so here is a selection of images from the 2017 Doggett’s compared with similar scenes from Wagers long past.
Finally:
I understand that the live feed of the race did not go so well, but there is a good 30-minute edit available to view ‘on demand’ on the official website, though I am not sure how long it will be available for. The commentary on the recording is well worth listening to as it is by Ken Dwan (Doggett’s 1971). He was Britain’s best single sculler in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He sculled at the European Championships in 1969 and 1971, at the World Championships in 1970, and at the Olympic Games in 1968 and 1972. At Henley in 1968, he reached the final of the Diamond Sculls. He won the Tideway Scullers Head 1969 – 1971 and again in 1973. Further, Ken won the Wingfield Sculls 1968 – 1972 and again in 1975.
The Dwan family has the most living Doggett’s winners. Ken is the father of Nicholas (2002) and Robert (2004). His brother, John, won in 1977 as did John’s son, Merlin, in 2012. Ken’s mother and Jack Keech’s paternal grandmother were sisters. Thus, not only was Ken’s commentary well-informed, it also included much fascinating lore passed down by generations of Watermen past. HTBS approves.
Tagged: Alfie Anderson, Ben Folkard, Bill East, Company of Watermen and Lightermen, David Thomas, European Championships, Fishmongers' Company, George Wright, Harry Phelps, Henley Royal Regatta, Jack Keech, John Dwan, John Obey, Ken Dwan, Merlin Dwan, Nicholas Dwan, Olympic Rowing, Rachel Quarrell, Robert Prentice, Thomas Doggett Coat and Badge Race, Tim Koch, Wingfield Sculls
