MARLOW’s famous Olympic rower Greg Searle was guest of honour as more than 200 people attended Great Marlow School Boat Club’s inaugural awards dinner at The Crowne Plaza.

Searle won Olympic gold and bronze medals in a stellar 20-year career.

Head coach for Great Marlow School Boat Club Fergus Murison said: “Each year we grow in strength and numbers but this year is particularly poignant as the young crews who started with the boat club in it's infancy are now finishing school in Year 13 having achieved selection to the national squad.

“Greg Searle spoke of what makes a great crew and it was gratifying to see how the younger crews were listening to every word he said. We have a great future ahead of us at Great Marlow School Boat Club.”

Meanwhile, the club had further cause to celebrate as Ross Honey and Edward Nunn competed and won for Great Britain in an international against France.

Honey and Dan Magnussen have also been selected to row for England in the Home Internationals in Cork this weekend, joining clubmates Graham Lyons and Sam Haynes.

Lyons will also row for Great Britain in the Coupe de la Jeunesse in France.

Closer to home, the girls J16 coxed four raced and beat not one but two crews from Cambridge University Women’s squad.