Mayor supports rowing club expansion

Mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson taking to the river

A rowing club that was launched 15 years ago as the only one in Erewash has thanked the borough council for backing it with a £3,438 grant amid a continuing boom in membership.

The popularity of the Devil’s Elbow Rowing Club had led to it running out of space to store boats until it asked the town hall for help.

Mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson championed its application for a grant so more craft can be kept on new racks outside the boathouse – freeing up the indoor space for more gym facilities. The funding came in the form of what is called a Member Grant, which needs to be supported by a councillor.

The club is also using the cash injection to buy a trolley to transport heavier boats to and from the shed beside the River Trent near Long Eaton.

Club volunteer April Stenson said: “We have been thrilled by the council’s support since we applied for the grant last October. The trolley will help us with boats we use for our free taster sessions, which are open to the general public. They also feature in our Learn to Row courses since they are so stable. However, they are very heavy.”

The club close to Trent Lock is looking to also replace some of its older craft and has been promised another £4,000 from Sport England – as long as it can match the sum through fundraising. Locals are being urged to help and they can find out more here: www.devilselbowrowing.co.uk

In its pitch for a Member Grant, the club – whose patrons range in age from 15 to over 70 – said its mission is to “make rowing accessible to all”

More than half of those who have joined are over 50 – and 12 per cent are aged 65 or older. The submission stressed: “We are a club that actively caters to all rowing aspirations and age groups but where we excel, and stand out from other clubs, is we support the older population by introducing or reintroducing sport into lives.”

The submission added: “Unlike many sports clubs, we are also roughly equally split between men and women.” The new boat racks mean craft do not have to be stacked as high – which the club said makes them “more accessible”.

The term “Devil’s Elbow” historically refers to a sharp challenging bend – such as a hairpin in a road. The club’s name comes from one of these on the nearby River Soar.

Mayor Harry said: “Rowing is brilliant way to make use of the river – and having tried it myself I can report it is great exercise. The local club is a terrific asset to the borough as it goes from strength to strength. I was only too pleased to back its application for a Member Grant.”

Funding for a fresh round of the grants – plus others that the council makes available for community organisations and initiatives – will be announced soon. You can keep track here: Community Grants | Erewash Borough Council