Each year, Ross Rugby Club hold a big Christmas Draw, the proceeds of which are always donated to a charity. Local traders, members of Ross RFC along with sponsors and associates donate a huge, tempting array of prizes for this popular annual event.

The prize list included a weekend for two B & B in Paignton, £100 travel voucher, 6 bottles of whisky, dinners, free bouncy castle hire and many, many other prizes. Sales of the tickets raised £300 this year, which on Monday evening was presented by Brian Harris to Sue Watkins and Roger Powell of the First Response Unit who were absolutely delighted with this gift.

Needless to say, there were also lots of happy prize winners by the end of the evening.

The Ross rowing club junior academy are the proud owners of a new coaching boat thanks to the support of a Grass Roots Grant from Herefordshire Voluntary Action. The coaching boat has already been put to good use, allowing the academy to host more and longer training sessions for the Junior Squad.

Junior Captain, John Lewis commented, 'We are incredibly grateful for this support. The impact on Junior coaching will be huge and will continue to be so for a very long time.

Monmouth Winter Head Report

Senior Ross Crews rowed at the Monmouth Christmas Head of the River race on Sunday, 13th December. The men's Veteran four of Paul Carpenter, Steve Randell, Philip Davies and Anthony Dixon-Gough, coxed by Morgan Baynham-Williams hoped to end their fantastic year by racing against their Monmouth rivals. They were disappointed to find that their opposition had to withdraw from the race to help with the organisation. The Ross boys rowed the 2.2km course to compare with the other crews there. They were narrowly beaten by only one other (much younger) coxed four from Stourport.

The ladies eight, featuring captain Sherron Dean-Lucas and cox Dan Ruck, also arrived to find their opposition had scratched, so they too had a good row against the clock. They are hoping to continue to develop a strong ladies' squad under the guidance of Marcus Constance for the Women's Head Race in London in March.

Inter Club Christmas Spud head Report

On Sunday, Ross Rowing Club held it's own Christmas time trial, having over 30 crews take part in 3 divisions. The cold weather and snow abated for the mornings activities with the racing being blessed with blue skies and calm water. The event was well supported by all sections of the club, with the overall winner being the Vet Coxed iv of Jeremy Picton-Turbervill, Graham Watling, Paul Brodholt, Dave Skyes and Lucy Jones coxing.

Many thanks must go to all the safety boat and time keepers along with Julie Brandram Jones and her many helpers who did an excellent job providing the lunch for the competitors and spectators.