Archive

The Jaffa Cake Challenge TM © - Attempt THREE
18 August 2006
Thomas Nelson CIC on the return journey from Nat Champs completely THRASHED the JCC record when he consumed 50 Asda Smart Price Jaffa cakes in 24 minutes and 30 seconds or thereabouts, without vomiting. He drank only Asda Coke (left over from the barbeque 2 days previously) and completely chewed and swallowed each Jaffa Cake before inserting the next. Phil, the official adjuicator, was present and therefore accepted that the challenge would be allowed to be undertaken on the return from Strathclyde rather than Nottingham. This time however, all jaffacakes would have to be consumed before the England/ Scotland border rather than Ferrybridge. Upon testing the quality of the jaffacakes, despite the concern they were too light/ small/ and not dense enough, it was decided that the severe aftertaste they left rendered them of suitably low quality for the challenge to commence. The extreme heat made the handling of them difficult as the fake chocolate flavoured covering started to separate into a sticky mess. However Thomas succeeded with what has to be said very little difficulty, consuming in excess of 2300 calories in a little under half an hour. (Fran wasn’t there so we were unable to calculate it exactly.) Speaking after setting the new benchmark for Jaffa cake eating, Thomas said “......“ - not much; at the time he was swaying from side to side in the back of the bus looking rather green. It seems that will be the only attempt at the Jaffa cake challenge in 2006, although the trip back from Boston is a possibility. 2006/7 will also see the transition of the job of adjudicator of the Jaffa Cake challenge, and the position is completely wide open at the moment, so enquiries and applications are welcome; and I would like to stress that this position, unlike many others, is completely independent of captaincy, and it is very rare to get a person capable of both positions at one time. Generally the jaffacake challenge position is much more highly regarded.
5 August 2006 I am delighted to confirm that the next webmeister of qehsrowing will be John Kelly. On being offered the post by current 'meister Fran, John replied that he "would be honoured". So look out for exclusive interviews with John's proud parents Lorraine and Matthew. Name That Boat! has now closed, with the result squarely against Section 72. 61% voted for the name to be something else.
5 August 2006
Heaps of news: Phil sent me "the happenings of the last three months" a while back but I've only just got round to putting it up (apologies). University boat race 2006– Kayleigh, Fiona, Richard and Phil made up half of the schools eight with Tyne. They were beaten by St Leonards in the schools eight competition- and featured in a large budget ITV documentary about the boat race which Mrs Higgins has on DVD if you accidentally forgot to tape it. The new boat was brought back with us from regionals and (as of 08 June) is likely to be called Coventina, the Celtic goddess of water and springs. (Think that was Dave’s idea so well done Dave). Or None or Few is back from being mended and is as good as new, and is also awaiting the new name sticker. Unfortunately, Victor
has a new home at some Durham College this year, due to lack of space in our trophy cabinet, (but we may get it back next year, space permitting). Some inspiring motivational videos at www.youtube.com (search for rowing)
June 2006 NEWSFLASH: Today i received some extremely disappointing news. Due to the fact that i was not under 16 on 1st September this year i am ineligible to compete at the Anglo-franch match in Abbeville this year, despite the fact that our frankly more rational domestic rules allow me to compete at the trials. It is due to this, and with great regret, that i am announcing my retirement from international rowing, effective immediately. -Thomas Nelson CIC
3 May 2006 Last weekend, Chris retained his eighth place at trials at Dorney, so he’s going to Ghent, and he gets to buy a GB all in one. In other news, Mrs Higgins' fabulous article from prestigious outlet the Hexham Courant is available here, and bag packing at Morrison’s raised about £380 from only three hours. Superb.
15 April 2006 Tesco's finest: Bagpacking at Tesco yesterday was a complete success, raising something in the region of £1200 from just one day. Four or five hours of physical exertion, minimal water consumption... at least at Boston you get to stop and stretch.
1 March 2006 Name That Boat Competition: The new boat has been ordered. Submit your name suggestions in the guestbook now. Trials Update: Chris came 7th in his single and a stupendous 2nd with Ben Rowe from Yarm. Exclusive race analysis from Phil: "woop".
12 December 2005 SPoTY Update: Hundreds (of thousands) of rowing fans were left disappointed last night after Thomas Nelson CIC was not even nominated for the main BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPotY) Award: what has Michael Vaughan done that He hasn't? Thomas Nelson CIC has been in touch with the BBC and apparently there was a rather large problem with vote fixing, and the BBC has promised he will be compensated with a certificate which can be printed out here.
December 2005 Sports Awards: The Womens Junior Four (Ashley, Rachael, Fran, Alice + Tom), Julie, and Dave were nominated for High School Team of the Year, Sports Woman of the Year and Coach of the Year respectively in the Tynedale Sports Awards Ceremony on Monday night. Our award-winning cox: Nominations for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2005 have now closed, and after voting for himself many times, Thomas Nelson CIC is waiting with baited breath to see if he has reached the shortlist (fingers crossed then). Ergo Championships: Chris and Nadine competed at the indoor rowing championships in Durham last thursday- with Nadine pulling the fastest womens junior 5k and Chris gaining silver in his category.
Trials: Congratulations to all those who competed at trials at the weekend. Results were as follows:
National Junior Squad Time Trials 2005
-MJ18
 Chris 16th, with 168 entries in his category.
-WJ16
 Kayleigh 16th
 Fiona 20th
-WJ18
 Nadine 29th
21 November 2005 Or None Or Few In Lorry Smash: Many of you will already have heard that our beloved four Or None was the victim of a hit-and-run just hours before York SBH on Sunday. A full report and some thirty-two photos from the heart of the action will be uploaded soon.
Regatta Glory: qehsrowing.co.uk has been reliably informed that the club regatta was a rip-roaring success with glorious sunshine and a lovely warm day for this prestigious annual event. JT tells me that the food was of a particularly high standard, with almost no incidences of post-BBQ poisoning. Alice adds: "Angus, Fiona etc won".
4th November 2005 Regatta Postponed: due to lack of year nines signing up. The regatta is on 12th November. Could everybody please try and attend. Barbeque to follow! Back to top 23 October 2005
Club Regatta News: entries for the club regatta have now closed.
There are however, spaces left for 3 more lucky individuals to compete.
"As I will be out of the office for the next few days, please contact Ashley or Mrs Higgins. Tesco has a large selection of pirate related items, ideal for those piratey themed costumes. Look under party ideas on the right hand wall of the new store for inspiration, however, you are in no way expected to pay money to have a good time. Nevertheless, Nick is demanding that everyone pay him £1 asap for his selection of food on the day, which promises to be a veritable feast. This contribution will also go towards buying prizes for the club regatta. This year we have a record entry for 2005 of well over 30 participants, which is almost as many as in previous years." Phil
Back to top Newsflash! qehsrowing.co.uk has been reliably informed that the position of Third Grandmaster for QEHSBC Life Jacket Tossing has been filled by Rachael Hall.