Gong-ho! 'Mr Rowing' gets Royal approval
DONCASTER'S "Mr Rowing" travelled to Buckingham Palace to receive his gong for services to the water sport.
Well-known Bawtry sportsman Dudley Fletcher was presented with his MBE by Princess Anne at an investiture also attended by his wife, Mary, and their three grown up children.
Dudley said: "The Princess Royal was wonderful and chatted to everyone who received an award. It was a memorable day, particularly as my wife and three children were there with me.
"The whole occasion was wonderful. I feel that I was representing all the people connected with Doncaster Rowing Club and the town of Doncaster itself."
Dudley, aged 68, was awarded the MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List earlier this year for his dedication to the development of rowing in Doncaster.
Over the years he has encouraged people of all ages in the Doncaster area to take up rowing - changing many lives for the better.
The retired deputy head teacher at Rossington Comprehensive School has been a life-long rowing enthusiast but had a period out of the sport until his interest was rekindled when his daughter Kate became a member of the Oxford University ladies' rowing squad.
Fired with renewed enthusiasm, Dudley joined Doncaster Rowing Club at Hexthorpe Park and after 34 years out of the sport he became a member of their eight-man boat rowing on the River Don.
He also took up a role as a volunteer coach at the club and went on to establish and develop the club's junior section and to establish the Doncaster Schools Rowing Association. He has been captain at Doncaster Rowing Club for the past 14 years and is currently Junior Development Officer. Thanks to Dudley and his colleagues many thousands of pounds have been raised and in 2006 a new boathouse was opened.
As well as a rower, coach and administrator Dudley is a keen mountain walker and he enjoys exploring the Munroes in Scotland.
Another celebration for Dudley and Mary in 2009 was their Ruby Wedding anniversary.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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