Thanks to generous donations by islanders, OIRA has been able to buy a kayak in memory of Simon Stubbings, who died in March this year. The craft is suitable for a child or small person, and is for use by members of the Osney Island Boat Club. Simon, a long-term resident of Osney, was the founder of the Boat Club and a keen oarsman. In 2021 he rowed to London from Oxford in the ‘Osney Odyssey’ which he and Jude Carroll organised.

The kayak, named Harambe (Swahili for ‘All pull together’), in honour of Simon’s connections with Kenya, was launched on Friday 16 September. There was a good turnout of islanders beside the Thames in East Street, including Simon’s daughter Jen and grandson Isaac. Cllr Susanna Pressel waved a ceremonial bottle of prosecco at the kayak’s bow and Alan Goodwin raised a toast in honour of Simon. Isaac took the kayak on its maiden voyage, with safety supervision by Fiona Ravenscroft from the Boat Club.

Thanks to Rob (East Street) and Nigel (South Street) for applying the transfers, and to Carbon Colour (Milton Park) for printing the transfers free of charge.

Photos courtesy Jocelyn Wogan-Browne and Alan Goodwin.