Brian Hawden (1936-2025)

Brian Hawden

1936  – 2025

It was when Brian was at Deacon’s School in Peterborough in the early 1950’s that his passion for the sport of rowing began. In his final year at school Brian became Captain of boats for Deacon’s school.

In 1954 Brian joined Peterborough City Rowing Club before taking up his place at Emmanuel College Cambridge studying law.

Brian maintained his links with PCRC and after graduating he returned to Peterborough to practise law.

In 1961/62 Brian became Captain of PCRC and introduced fresh ideas including a new, to the Club, approach to training which he had gleaned from his rowing days at Cambridge. His training plans and approach bore fruit with the Club gaining 80^th place in the Tideway Head, the first time the Club achieved a position at this event below the coveted 100 position.

In 1977 Brian became Vice President and President in 1982, a position he held until retiring in 2003. At the end of that season Brian was presented with an Honorary Life Membership of PCRC in recognition for his outstanding support and contribution to the Club over many years.

Brians support did not stop on his retirement, he regularly presented awards at the Club’s regatta’s and was a fervent supporter to the 100 Club which raises much funds for the Club.

Today’s Club, sited on a purpose built four lane racing rowing course, is the result of a compulsory purchase of the Club which stood on the embankment, just below where the Key Theatre stands today. Brian, with other Senior Officers of the Club at the time, played a major role in meetings and discussions with the then Development Corporation. Brian, with his legal knowledge and background, was key to the final terms and conditions which paved the way for the rowing course and building which is the envy of many rowing clubs around the country.

In his later years Brian had some setbacks with his health, but this did not hold him back from his determination to regularly get into a scull, and was often seen during weekdays rowing on the course which he played a major part in having built.

Brian always had PCRC in his thoughts and pushed to see it succeed and develop further both in terms of its facilities and with the events and regattas that are a major date in the rowing Calendar, he will be deeply and sadly missed.

Married for 62 years Brian is survived by his wife Pat and children Claire, Sian, Adam, Victoria and Guy.