Our History
The Beginning
In the early 60’s, a keen boater called Jack Newington was cruising along the River Nene and passing Oundle he saw some disused gravel pits alongside the river. Being an entrepreneur, he saw a business opportunity. He purchased the gravel pits, as well as the land between the main lake and the road. He flooded the gravel pits, made a small cut through to the river, and erected workshops, offices, a chandlery shop and slipway and hence Oundle Marina was born. By 1963 Jack had developed the marina and was building small hire boats, the start of what was later to become “Fairline”.
During the same period a small group of boating enthusiasts were meeting with the objective of creating a boating club on the River Nene. There were already existing clubs along the river, but they saw Oundle as an ideal location. They initially held their meetings at the Riverside Hotel/Inn located in the wharf in Oundle, but later when one of the initial group, Bert Flavel, became landlord of the King’s Head at Wadenhoe, they transferred to there. Seeing the new Marina, which they considered an ideal location for their club, they approached an old boating friend Jack Newington with their plans. Jack seeing this as a benefit to Moorer’s at the marina, and with someone else running it, he agreed that the club could be built on the island alongside the river.
Some of the names of the initial group and first members who we have to thank for creating Oundle Cruising Club back in 1965 were:
Donald & Jean Jones
Ted & Betty Barker
Melvin & Margaret Payne
Bert & Connie Flavell
Bernard & Peggy Bland
Jim & Thersa Smith
J.Powell
( and not forgetting Jack Newington for allowing to build the club in the marina)
The club opened mid 1965 the first Commodore being Bert Flavell.
Where are we now 2025.
This year will be our 60th Birthday. Despite the ownership of the Marina changing several times, the club is still functioning and is on the original site. There have been 27 different Commodores over the period See All Commodores and the current membership still comprises of over 50% who are moorers in Oundle Marina. There have been numerous events held at the club over the years, but unfortunately our pictures only go back as far as 2005 See All Event Photos. Please take the time to have a look.
(The above was compiled from old records and talking to older club members, some unfortunately no longer with us, we apologise if any details including names have been omitted. If you have any further details and or old photos etc that you feel should be included, please feel free to email me.)webmaster@occlub.co.uk