During the Tea Interval at Henley Royal Regatta 2016 on Wednesday 29th June, the 1st VIII and a number of supporters of the School gathered in the Boat Tent for the official naming of the newest boat, the ‘Michael Hawkes’. This boat, an Empacher had arrived earlier in the season and had already had a number of outings at the summer term regattas. Director of Rowing, Pete Mulkerrins said a few words and thanked all for attending.
Michael Hawkes (42-48), who sadly passed away earlier in 2016 had been a great supporter of the School Boat Club, having rowed in the victorious 1946 1st VIII who won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup and then for Oxford University in the 1951 Boat Race. It was lovely to be joined by Elizabeth, Michael’s widow and so many members of their family. All present raised a glass to the ‘Michael Hawkes’ and wished the boat and its crews every success in the future and sunnier days for rowing. This was a memorable occasion for all and an important way to mark Michael and Elizabeth’s special link with Bedford School.