August 2022
John’s Jazzy Jamboree
A summer party was held at the club to celebrate the unveiling of a founders’ plaque and in memory of John Clayton. Club vice-president Mervyn Warner did the honours and club chairman, Dani James, spoke eloquently about the debt the club owes John and the other founders. Following the unveiling a good time was had by all accompanied by live music and a BBQ. Prior to the party a ‘splash and dash’ regatta was held on the river in recreational boats.
March 2022
Boat Naming
Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club held a naming ceremony on the 29th March for its new single scull trainer boat. County Councillor Tom Cannon named the boat ‘Cobnut’ and christened it with a bottle of Kentish cider.
The boat has been purchased with the assistance of a £2000 grant from Kent County Council’s Covid-19 Local Recovery Fund and will be used by the club on its Learn to Row courses to help introduce newcomers to the sport of rowing and develop their skills.
Club Vice-President Harry Salmon said, “The club is very grateful to Tom Cannon for his assistance in securing this grant, and to KCC for providing the funding which has covered the majority of the cost of the new boat. A very stable scull, it is designed for people who have never rowed before and it will be a great asset in our drive to attract new people from the local community into our sport.”
After the naming ceremony Councillor Cannon took the boat out for an inaugural paddle and rowed up and down the river in front of the club.
Once he was back on dry land he remarked that “what a fantastic boat to introduce newbies like myself! The stabilisers really helped you feel safe and in control on the water. I am delighted to have supported the club with the purchase to attract new members and encourage positive use of our river. Maidstone Rowing Club is a huge asset for our town.”
February 2020
John Clayton, founder of Maidstone Invicta RC, sadly died following an illness on 14th February 2020. John had a passion for the sport and he was a driving force behind the development of the club. He will be greatly missed by all who new him.
An obituary has been published on the British Rowing website:
https://www.britishrowing.org/2020/03/obituary-john-clayton/
A ‘Guard of Honour’ with Erith RC and MIRC blades flanked the hearse as it left the club at the end of the service.
