Burnham-On-Sea’s MP and Mayor unveiled a new boat when the town’s Gig Rowing Club held a special ceremony on the town’s beach on Saturday (July 7th).
The new wooden racing gig, named ‘Brue’ to give it a clear local connection to the river, was named by Rev Sharon Eldergill from St Andrew’s Church, MP James Heappey, Mayor Cllr Bill Hancock and Deputy Mayor Andy Brewer.
The club was congratulated by the Mayor before the gig was blessed by Rev Sharon. Mr Heappey read a passage from Wind In The Willows in front of the crowd of onlookers, pictured here.
Mr Heappey told Burnham-On-Sea.com afterwards: “The sailing club took a bit of a leap into the dark by setting up a gig rowing club a few years ago, but now they’re on their second boat and have dozens of people rowing regularly in the town. It’s a great thing.”
“It’s a hugely important activity in a seaside town – when you look up and down the coast at places like Clevedon and Minhead, and further afield in Devon and Cornwall, all seaside towns have gig rowing clubs and it’s great that we have one too.”
Gig Captain Dave Wrennall said it was great to launch the new ‘Brue’ boat and thanked those guests who had attended the naming ceremony.
“It is an exciting and exhilarating sport that provides an all-systems body workout when we pit our strength and coordination against the sea whilst exercising a healthy respect for her too!”
More details about how to join the club are available here.
