Riverwatch: Eric's ritual has made him a river legend

Apr 2 2009 By Mort Smith, Surrey Herald

Eric Hubbard

Firstly, I'd like to say a sincere thanks to my old mate Roger Jolly who's been ably filling in during my absence - I'll pass on the libel writs as soon as I see him!

Eric Hubbard has always loved rowing. The pensioner from River Road, Staines, can be seen most mornings rowing his eight-foot dinghy, Widger, up and down the Thames between Staines and Penton Hook as a way of keeping fit and enjoying the river - but that's not a new development, he's been addicted to rowing since his early days.

As a young man, he started work with W H Smith in Folkestone and lived in Dover,where he joined a rowing club.

"I actually fancied going sailing," Eric recalled, "but the fees were quite high for the local sailing club so, in 1959, I opted for Dover Rowing Club instead because they only charged 10 shillings (50p) a year to be a member.

"They rowed big, heavy coastal fours but I really enjoyed it and I suppose it stayed with me."

Eric remained with W H Smith and, when he was sent to Staines as manager of the High Street store in 1965, he and his first wife, Audrey, bought the house in River Road because of its delightful river frontage with views to Penton Hook lock and towards Staines.

He joined Laleham Skiff and Punting Club but because he had to be at the shop every Saturday,he found he couldn't really contribute much to the club and took up rowing his own boat instead.

From the moment he retired in 1991, his daily outings on the river have made him a very recognisable figure.

Eric said:"I probably go out rowing 75% of the year - depending on the weather and the state of the river - and a lot of people have got used to seeing me out there.

"I regularly used to see a bunch of schoolboys walking along the tow-path and they got into the habit of singing different songs every time they saw me. I've been serenaded with Old Man River, Row,Row,Row Your Boat and Old Father Thames, but it all made me chuckle."

On his rowing trips, Eric has found an extraordinary range of things floating down the Thames, from all kinds of boat paraphernalia - fend-ers, ropes, flagstaffs etc - to footballs, picnic tables, fence panels, a Father Christmas hat, briefcases, ladders, tents, a cricket bat, three dinghies and a soup tureen, complete with lid. Sadly,he's also discovered two bodies.

He added: "I always bring some driftwood in with me, so we have a regular supply of kindling for the fire."

The river plays a big role in Eric's life. He and his current wife, Jackie, are both members of the River Thames Society and they are keen to preserve this stretch of the Thames for the maximum number of people to enjoy.

Long may that continue.