#32 - 1989

We’ve reached the halfway mark in our project and the thirtieth birthday of Shiplake College. With lots of festivities throughout the year, it was a double celebration as we were also celebrating the centenary of the Shiplake Court building.

On the 24th June 1989 over 650 Old Vikings and guests attended a family fun day at the School and it was described by one guest as ‘the best party yet!’. All years from 1959 were represented and our founder and first headmaster, Mr Alexander Everett was also in attendance. The day included OVS Cricket and Tennis matches, riverboat trips, an ‘It’s a Knockout’ contest, a children’s entertainer and a treasure hunt. The Old Viking Society wanted ‘a day to be enjoyed by all’ and by the sounds of things is absolutely was!

On 1 May, a dinner was held for past and present Shiplake Oarsmen. Coach Sam Hall and his 1964 crew were all present. Coxed by Matthews, Shingler; Eaton; Coulton and Durman took the opportunity to row together again. A long outing showed that Sam had lost none of his persuasion and the crew none of their spirit or skill. It was a special day for Mike Shingler as he was one of the original 30 pupils to join the School exactly 30 years earlier. Victor Durman had flown in all the way from Vancouver to make sure the reunion was complete.

Henley Standard 12 May 1989

The current rowers were also on strong form that year, making the finals at Henley Regatta. The 1st VIII defeated three American crews and then eliminated Winchester to reach the final for the first time ever. They faced Hampton in the final who had just defeated Eton, we led till Fawley but Hampton finally got home by a length - breaking the record by 10 seconds. This made us the second fastest school crew ever and in a time that would have won the Grand Challenge Cup a few years earlier!

In the last week of May there was a pageant named ‘Shiplake 900’, to celebrate 30 years of Shiplake College and a hundred years since the present Shiplake Court was built. The production went back to the Domesday Book and getting back to the 19th Century via Medieval pageantry and Civil War battles. Victorian and Edwardian country life was recreated before Shiplake College was launched to music from West Side Story. The old building was given a splendid birthday party! Read an article from the Henley Standard about the spectacle, available in our digital archive by clicking here.