Annual VIOCS Boat Race Party was a great success

Dead Heat 1877

Dead Heat 1877

Report on Annual VIOCS Boat Race Party 2016

Approximately seventy members and guests attended on the evening of 23 April 2016 our annual Boat Race Party held in the splendor and comfort of Rockland’s historic Highwood House owned by Leigh Large, Sr., father of Leigh Large (Trinity 1995).

We at VIOCS truly appreciate the Large family’s generous response to our call for a new venue. Once again we were the grateful recipients of goat cheese from David Wood’s (Exeter 1963) Salt Spring Island Cheese Company and for this we are profoundly thankful. Adding to the festivities were sumptuous canapés provided by Toque’s Catering. The capable staff of Toque’s was complemented with Highwood’s house staff, provided by Leigh Large, Sr., resulting in a well-run party with great food and superb service. The scenery was magnificent, the food and drink excellent, and the toasts of the highest quality.

Following a showing of highlights from the women’s and men’s races, Michael Cox (Emmanuel 1963) toasted Oxford while Leigh Large toasted Cambridge, both men enjoying the mock rivalry, friendship, and respect that characterizes the enduring relationship between our two universities. Who would have known that the Cambridge Blue Boat and their light blue apparel evolved from a pink sash originally worn by the Cambridge rowers in 1828!

We at VIOCS are also pleased to announce that our Treasurer, Brian Scarfe (St. John’s & Nuffield 1963), advises that VIOCS finances remain in the black and that the party made a profit of $18.77.

Dorothy Kennedy, Exeter 1997