THE prospect of a new stretch of water in Oxford albeit a flood channel seems to the many local clubs listed below to be an opportunity to enhance Oxford’s sports amenities not to be missed.

The clubs below, representing most of the town’s and university rowing and canoeing community.

They are:

* 22nd Scouts, Meadow Lane Donnington
* Cheney School Kayak Club, Meadow Lane Donnington
* Cheney School Rowing Club; Oxford
* City Barge Venetian rowing
* City Of Oxford Rowing Club, Donnington Bridge
* Falcon Rowing and Canoe Club, Donnington Bridge
* Hinksey Sculling School, Wolvercote Isis Canoe Club; Meadow Lane Donnington Bridge
* Oxford Academicals Rowing Club, Iffley
* Oxford Bangladeshi Boat Club, Donnington Bridge
* Oxford Canoe Club, Riverside Donnington Bridge
* Oxford Sea Cadets, Donnington Bridge
* Oxford University Boat Club
* Riverside Youth, Donnington Bridge Oxford

Together we urge the Environment Agency and City Council to pursue the inclusion within that four-mile channel a stretch for the training of junior rowers and kayakers – away from the busy main stream.

The dimensions of the stretch need not be much more then a thousand metres long and of a width able to take two junior sculls side by side plus a return single lane.

If the banks were grass, certainly not cement, that would be a bonus.

The Environment Agency’s own stated goals are to extend the use of its water for recreation and sport. We urge them to do so and we ask our city councillors to urge them on – pull together and we can get this for the youth of Oxford.

PETER TRAVIS
President, Falcon Rowing and Canoe Club