On Sunday 20th September, Fred Bradshaw’s family and friends gathered at the club to celebrate his life and spread his ashes. Fred had been associated with Poplar for more than 60 years, as a rower, captain, and committed member of the club community. We spoke to Richie Brown to learn more.
Fred had already been a member at Poplar for several years when Richie joined in 1959. As a younger member Richie coxed some of Fred’s crews and then benefited from his expertise when he learnt to row. Fred was part of a cohort central to shaping the club’s rich history and trajectory. His rowing career extended from his teenage years into veteran categories.
The Vale of Evesham Four
A highlight in Poplar colours was a victory in the 4+ at Evesham Regatta in 1966. Known briefly as ‘The Henley of The Midlands’, the course attracted crews with confidence in their coxes’ steering abilities. The crew comprised Ken Collins, Vic Brown, Frank Walker, Fred Bradshaw, and Philip Skelton (cox). They won the infamous Bell Tower Trophy, an enormous, solid silver prize, which they took home to proudly display in the local pub, The Princess of Wales.
Unfortunately, in a year of notable trophy thefts the trophy mysteriously disappeared and was never recovered. We are lucky to have a photo to treasure as evidence of their success!
The Trophy on display in The Princess of Wales pub. Fred is second from the right in the shirt and tie.
Club legacy
Fred captained the club in 1986 and contributed to the development of its members on and off the water. Those who knew him describe him as a ‘character’, one of the key qualities of several of Poplar’s best rowers… His two young daughters would occasionally come along to the club with their father, and Richie recalls them waiting very patiently for training to finish, a tradition continued by the club’s extended family to this day!
After moving to Spain, Fred continued to enjoy an active lifestyle, skiing and running with former crew mates and club members, often in Poplar kit. He kept in touch with old friends, and his love for the club outlasted his membership; he always made time to visit.
Richie reflected that ‘you never drift apart’ from the community. No matter how much time or distance comes between Poplar and its members, once you come back and join the conversations at the bar, it’s like you never left. It was good to see these conversations continuing with Fred’s loved ones in September.
A dinner and dance in the 1960s, with Fred right of centre.
Thank you to Richie for sharing these memories and photos with us. Other aspects of the club’s rich history can be accessed here, and we are always open to reading more! If you have club stories to share, get in touch with Charlotte at charlotte.kilpatrick@pbdrc.co.uk or contact the club on Instagram.