FROME Canoe Club celebrated its 40th birthday recently with a day of river activities and visits from past members.
The club was set up in 1976 and had a special event on 3rd September to celebrate its history.
Club founder and president Graham Warnecke said, “Having been involved in the club from the beginning, it was very special to share the anniversary with so many past and present members.
“For four decades, Frome Canoe Club has provided voluntary coaching to adults and young people in the heart of the local community, and it is fantastic to see the club going from strength to strength.
“Forty years ago we had a few kayaks on a trailer; thirty years ago we had a shed by the river; and now we have state-of-the-art facilities and a record membership.”
The afternoon saw members enjoy canoeing activities in the river, an exhibition of the club’s history, and a social event throughout the day.
Club secretary Pam Dixon said, “One of the challenges we set on the day was to execute a spectacular 40-kayak raft run. This was no mean feat, but was accomplished to great applause from people watching! Even the heavy rain did not dampen spirits and the smiles on people’s faces showed how much they enjoyed the event.
“One of the highlights was meeting so many of our past members, many of whom had travelled some distances to share the day with us. It was an absolutely wonderful day, with so many people of all ages coming together and enjoying themselves. It was a fitting tribute to what continues to be a very successful club.”
