Evesham Rowing Club - that saw an Olympic champion start their career there - is celebrating 160 years in the town.

Current and past members came together to celebrate the anniversary, along with a new modern landing stage and the naming of a new boat.

Several outstanding GB rowers have started their careers at the club including Alex Gregory an Olympic champion in 2012. More recently aspiring 17-year-old junior Leah Saunders gained a Silver medal for GB at the 2023 World Rowing Beach Sprint event in Italy.

From the basic wooden structure and only rowing members the Boathouse facilities have dramatically increased with a fully equipped kitchen, function room and bar available to hire for parties and leisure activities, and thriving squash and tennis sections competing in major competitions.

The club’s landing stage was in need of renovation and Simon Edwards, the current chairman, was delighted to officially open the new steel structure and thank Richard Forrest and Amanda Baker the driving forces behind the project.

Past member David Fenton has generously donated a new “Eight” which has been kindly sponsored by Marley Risk Consultants.

Lisa Hobbs who joined at age 14 and a club member since 1982 with more than 40 rowing wins, received deserved recognition for her local, national and international achievements and christened with champagne the boat named after her.

In 1863 a town hall meeting proposed: “It is desirable to form a club in this town for the cultivation of the art of rowing”.

Mr Charles Edward Rudge was chosen as the first president of the club and the family have been involved ever since with Jonathan Rudge as the current president.