Remembering Andy Holmes
In May, friends and family of the late Andy Holmes met at Furnivall Sculling Club for the unveiling of the blade he used at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and share memories of his life. It was at Seoul that he won his second gold medal in the coxless pair as well as a bronze medal in the coxed pairs.
Andy’s daughter, Parker, who was born just before his death in 2010, carried out the unveiling with aplomb and to a round of applause.
Andy’s young life was well remembered by his brother Simon. Then Lincoln Payton, who rowed and played rugby with Andy, recalled singing in a high energy schoolboy heavy rock band with Andy on the drums, as well as adventures in old American cars that not only would be illegal today but almost certainly were in 1977. Jim Clark, latterly of the Latymer staff, spoke movingly of Andy’s great natural talent as an oarsman and this was reinforced by words from his Olympic crewmate from 1984, Martin Cross, who Jim had also taught to row when he was at Cardinal Vaughan, and who spoke of Andy’s intense focus and determination to be the very best he could be.
In those amateur days athletes had to somehow support themselves and row full-time. Andy famously did so by working for a period as a hod-carrier. Yet this gentle and gifted man also spoke French fluently and read French literature in breaks on the building site and between outings.
The last to speak was Lottie Alldritt from Furnivall who told of the immense difference Andy made to all the crews he coached and their devastation when he died after contracting Weil’s Disease. Lottie was joined by several of the athletes Andy coached at the club.
Andy was not just a coach at Furnivall. He is remembered for embracing the ethos of the club, getting stuck in and painting the weights room, rustling up a selection of singles for training and giving his time generously, always to beginners and experienced rowers.
The club was blessed to have the benefit of his expertise, work and experience and he is greatly missed.
Thanks to FSC President Jon Stoddart for his kind words as host, and to the club for the generous tea!