Kildare Trust Boat Naming Ceremony

A beautiful and sunny Saturday afternoon in the School Gardens provided the ideal backdrop to celebrate the naming of two new racing boats for the King’s School Worcester Boat Club (KSWBC), which had been generously donated by the Kildare Trust.

The Kildare Trust was set up by farmers and philanthropists Jim and Phyllis Richards – Jim himself an OV who had been at the King’s School in the 1920s – and supports a number of local charities which were close to their hearts including giving children opportunities they might otherwise not have received. The Trust has already generously provided for two enduring bursaries at King’s, more on which you can read here , so this was an opportunity for the School to further thank the Trustees for their extensive support.

The Trustees of the Kildare Trust were joined by King’s School Governors, Trustees of the King’s School Worcester Development Trust, members of the King’s Foundation Leadership Team, the Boat Club Coaching team and Sixth Form Rowers, who were all honoured to be part of this memorable event. It was a particularly poignant occasion for special guests, the France family. They were very close to Phyllis, and their son, Ben, is currently a King’s senior rower.

Headmaster Gareth Doodes opened proceedings, welcoming the guests and reiterating the School’s gratitude for such significant contributions from the Kildare Trust. He handed over to Chair of the Trustees and OV Ian Smith (Cr 73-78) to officially name the first boat, an Eight.

Ian kindly explained the background of the Kildare Trust to those in attendance, giving wonderful descriptions of both Jim and Phyllis – the latter who had only recently passed having reached the incredible age of 100. As they had not been blessed with children themselves, Ian explained how they both looked after their friends and family throughout their lives but had also made it their legacy to support children through the creation of the Kildare Trust. Ian unveiled the Eight, named in honour of Jim, giving the boat the traditional champagne blessing!

Geoff Probert, Trustee of the Kildare Trust, stepped up to provide more detail about the boats themselves, which had been sourced from a specialist company in Italy. The impressive Quad was then unveiled, which had been named in honour of Phyllis. Geoff continued the tradition of blessing the boat with champagne, wishing all who row in her the best of luck.

Although the river levels had been high of late, they had dropped sufficiently to allow the senior rowers the opportunity to take Jim and Phyllis out on the water for their maiden voyage, having very carefully carried both boats down from the School Gardens. The faces of the senior rowers, including Ben F and William P, made it clear how incredible the new boats are and how very privileged they felt to be rowing in them.

King’s Head of Rowing, Jim Chalmers (Hon OV) concluded the ceremony, adding, “Our many thanks to the Kildare Trust for these two new boats, and to all our guests for coming to help us celebrate and welcome the boats into our fleet.”

The King’s School is incredibly grateful to be given this opportunity to help Jim and Phyllis’ relationship with the School endure, and continue to honour and celebrate their generosity.