Lancaster University Boat Club

Lancaster University Boat Club is the rowing club of Lancaster University. The club was founded in 1964 with the inception of the university by Sir Harold Parkinson and is the oldest sports club at the university. The club is based in the old Halton railway station and trains on the River Lune, north of Lancaster. Parkinson also funded the building of the weir on the river, east of the club's boathouse, in order to enable better conditions for rowing. HistoryThe university opened to students in October 1964. A group of students from the university began the task of assembling the necessary equipment for the foundation of a University Boat Club which could stand independent of the local club, Lancaster John O' Gaunt Rowing Club. Due to the limited available assistance of the university and the students' union, the group decided to seek outside help to get the club moving. This help came in the form of a wealthy benefactor, Sir Harold Parkinson, who provided the club with the funds to purchase its first boats and a coaching launch. John O' Gaunt Rowing Club offered their facilities as a temporary home for the newly formed University Boat Club and from 1964 to 1966 both clubs cohabited. After two years of sharing John O’Gaunt’s boathouse, the club moved to its current location, the old Halton railway station. This acquisition was entirely down to Parkinson again; after the station had been closed to the public in 1966, he rented the building on behalf of the club. It was converted into suitable quarters to operate from. The location of this building proved ideal as it is located less than 100 m from the river, and the first 4 miles of the old railway form the Lancaster - Caton Cycleway, an illuminated cycle path leading into Lancaster city centre, along which members can cycle.

Lancaster University Boat Club is the rowing club of Lancaster University. The club was founded in 1964 with the inception of the university by Sir Harold Parkinson and is the oldest sports club at the university. The club is based in the old Halton railway station and trains on the River Lune, north of Lancaster. Parkinson also funded the building of the weir on the river, east of the club's boathouse, in order to enable better conditions for rowing. HistoryThe university opened to students in October 1964. A group of students from the university began the task of assembling the necessary equipment for the foundation of a University Boat Club which could stand independent of the local club, Lancaster John O' Gaunt Rowing Club. Due to the limited available assistance of the university and the students' union, the group decided to seek outside help to get the club moving. This help came in the form of a wealthy benefactor, Sir Harold Parkinson, who provided the club with the funds to purchase its first boats and a coaching launch. John O' Gaunt Rowing Club offered their facilities as a temporary home for the newly formed University Boat Club and from 1964 to 1966 both clubs cohabited. After two years of sharing John O’Gaunt’s boathouse, the club moved to its current location, the old Halton railway station. This acquisition was entirely down to Parkinson again; after the station had been closed to the public in 1966, he rented the building on behalf of the club. It was converted into suitable quarters to operate from. The location of this building proved ideal as it is located less than 100 m from the river, and the first 4 miles of the old railway form the Lancaster - Caton Cycleway, an illuminated cycle path leading into Lancaster city centre, along which members can cycle.