Time is ticking by and you can't stay off the river just because of rumours of spirits on the water. It's all perfectly safe.

Fund raising update - thanks to the many people who have dug deep. Gift Aid donations are just about to tip over the £4,000 mark.

It really is very much appreciated and a great public demonstration of our commitment to our club. It all goes towards getting the clubhouse building work underway.

But it wouldn't be right to remind those still thinking about it, that it simply isn't possible to have too much cash for the club house.

We're pretty lucky at Richmond as we have a great stretch of river with full legal access - many paddlers around the country do not. In fact, paddlers and the public have access to just 2% of rivers in England and Wales.

The BCU-led River Access Campaign has arranged a Paddle to Westminster on the 9th November to formally take to Parliament the message that the current level of access to water for canoeists is not acceptable and that there should be a change in law.

Formally the number of paddlers is limited to 100 due to logistics and safety - it is important paddlers project an image of responsibility.

However, Richmond is in a slightly different situation in that we can arrange our own transport and more experienced paddlers could paddle to or from Westminster, subject to the tide and daylight.

If you have the time, the River Access Campaign (RAC) would appreciate your support. More details here. An e-petition is also available at the RAC website.

We are running a course in the Shed on Thursday the 24th of November on Good Practice and Child Protection. It lasts 3 hours (from 7pm), will be given by Sue Hornby (Head of the BCU Youth Section) and costs £8.

It is considered a useful and desirable course for anyone who has dealings with juniors, whether as coach, volunteer or club official. There are likely to be attendees from other local clubs. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis so book early to avoid disappointment.

Booking form and details here.

The annual draw-off will open Richmond Lock from Sunday 6th November until Sunday 27th November. Over this period the weirs at Richmond will be lifted allowing the water to drain down at low water on each tide exposing the wonderful array of detritus that has collected on the river bed.

This is a good time to look for dropped sunglasses, old shoes, missing boats, paddles and balls that Phoenix may have lost in the river.

For more information visit the Port of London website.

Marathon Gallery pictures available here.

Almost 130 paddlers took to the water for the Richmond Marathon on Sunday, with 68 Richmond paddlers representing the Club.

Richmond members worked hard to take 22 podium places, with a 1-2-3 in Div 4 K1.

Surprisingly good late Autumn weather did little to prevent the choppy water creating the odd challenge as kayakers raced up and down the Thames from Richmond as far as Kingston.

Full results here. And there's a good selection of snaps in the Gallery here.

Thanks to all for such a good turnout, to Sean and the small army of volunteers who made it all happen - and to those who travelled to Richmond and suffered our serious lack of parking.

It's been a very encouraging week on the fundraising front - we have passed the first stage of qualifying for support from the BCU and Sport England. This is great news and the strongest way of saying we're moving in the right direction but it is by no means in the bag.

There is still a great deal more to do to secure this funding. We believe there are another two stages get through and while hopeful, we need to manage expectations accordingly.

We have also had a very encouraging response from other requests, including the Gift Aid forms.

We should acknowledge that if these grants are ultimately successful they will not provide enough funds for the refurbishment. We need to continue with the massive efforts being made by the club to raise funds from all possible avenues.

As ever, the best indication that we are deserving of the support of our community, NGB and the national sporting community is by leading the way.

Many, many thanks to all who have made donations and continue to give their support in time to build a confident future for your Club.

Timing is the genius input of the comic, and this couldn't be better. This is National Giving Week (honestly, click here and see) when people are being encouraged to give to good causes.

And have we got the cause for you.

The new Club house fund. There's a permanent link above on the fundraising campaign and to Gift Aid forms.

There has been a steady trickle of responses to the request letter. Many, many thanks to all those who have made donations - your generosity is fantastic.

And to those yet to do so, we're guessing it's got something to do with "when you get paid," "being a bit hard up at the moment" or some other cash flow issue. Don't worry. Help is at hand. We'll keep reminding you, and thinking of ways to make it easy to give.

In the meantime, happy National Giving Week. Who are you giving to?

Worried about falling in the river midstream? Concerned that you might not be able to get back in? Don't worry help is at hand. Here. We'll be looking at this product once someone has the courage to put a name to it.

Sally, the wife of Tim Cornish, president of Canoeing SA and former Richmond Canoe Club member, passed away this weekend, after being involved in a car accident last Saturday. Tim returned to South Africa from Austrlia where he was officiating at the world marathon championships. Tim has been a giant of world canoesport for decades. Among his many achievements, he set the still current record for DW back in 1979 while based at and representing Richmond Canoe Club.

We extend our deepest sympathies to the Cornish family on their sad loss.

A good Richmond show in Windsor that saw Henry come in 3rd in Div 2, closely followed by Brett and Doug. Trevor and Francis Wetherall came 2nd in the Div 7/8 doubles and Chris Haynes completed the club's podium finishes with second place in Div 8.

Full results here.

The weather was glorious with a little more wind and chop on the river than ideal. But if this is autumn, well, we're all Dutchmen - even the women.

Next week Richmond. Be there.

Belated congratulations to James Scott (aka Scotty) and friend Mark Rosenberg (Rosie) who successfully swum the Channel back in July in a daunting 15 hours. There are a few Richmond paddlers who like a swim but that surely beats any previous Richmond record.

Celebrations for the achievement, alongwith a little on the side fundraising Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neurone Disease, will be taking place from 7.30pm to Midnight on Saturday 29th October at the Ye White Hart pub in Barnes on the corner of The Terraces and White Hart Lane. There's a function suite upstairs overlooking the river, a few nibbles (but not enough to constitute a full dinner), music and a private bar... the rest is up to you!

And if you want to make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/ScottyandMark

You have seen him looking dapper and dandy, Oakleys poised, Lycra at the ready - now you too can share in his style!

Our own in-house design guru, Rupert Elkington-Cole has bequest us a parting gift before he jets off to sun soaked Oz next month.

Exclusively from the Galley, we now have available the first in a series of designer Richmond Canoe Club T-Shirts.

So you too can look hip and fashionable down the Slug and Lettuce of a Friday night - £12 each - all proceeds to the redevelopment fund.

Race reports from Elmbridge and Pangbourne now available (thanks Henry) and if you feel inspired by the great club turnouts in recent weeks you can race at Windsor on Sunday (16th).

All this in preparation for the compulsory Richmond Club race on the 23rd and to qualify for Hasler Finals next year.

Remember, your Club needs you.

This year's Christmas Party will be rather special. The Lord Mayor of Westminster is kindly inviting club members to celebrate this year at The Lord Mayor's Parlour, 19th Floor Westminster City Hall, Victoria Street SW1. This will be a totally unique event in the club's history.

Tickets are limited and on a first come first serve basis. Ticket price is £20 but this includes a buffet and all drink. The drink is very kindly being donated by the Lord Mayor (aka Tim Joiner) and also by the club Commodore, Sean Martin, all you will be paying for is the cost of the food. All the profit generated will then be going towards the club refurbishment project. You can feel happy therefore its going to the best cause possible!

Date: 10th December
Time: 7.30pm
Dress Code: Lounge Suit / Cocktail Dress

Tickets are available from Sonia Marquardt. Sonia is part of Peter Barnes' group and is always at the club on Saturdays. Please email her or find her at the club for your ticket. Tim and Sonia will need to know the number to cater for by the first week of December, so hurry, hurry, hurry. Don't assume you can leave buying your ticket to the very last minute!

Let's be honest. That cup of tea, sandwich and piece of cake is possibly the highlight of your week. That smiling face, that welcome greeting "Did you have a nice paddle?" That could be you caring for the welfare of your fellow Club members.

Volunteers are needed to help run the Galley on Saturdays from now until Christmas. And with Alison going away she will not be able to run or co-ordinate things between 12th November to 17th December so cover over this time will be especially important.

Pick a partner, pick a date and let Alison know when you can get your pinny on.

Dates required are:

• 22nd October
• 29th October
• 5th November
• 12th November
• 19th November
• 26th November
• 3rd December
• 10th December
• 17th December

If you think you can help please email Alison or see her in the galley this Saturday. There'll be a new rota in the clubhouse where you can then sign up.

There's been some extremely generous responses to the opportunity to donate to the Club House refurbishment project through Gift Aid - thank you to those who have donated. You know who you are.

Overall, response to the request for donations has been disappointing. Please remember you do not have to give a large sum, anything is better than nothing. We need to be seen to be enthusiastic about our own project. The bottom line is, how can we expect help from others if we do not help ourselves? Think about it!

If you have 'lost' your gift aid form you can download another from the Club website at any time from here or pick one up from the Galley.

Marathon World Championships are taking place next weekend in Perth Australia. Keep an eye on the action at www.marathon.canoe.org.au with a profile of GB's Anna Hemmings, originally from Elmbridge, in yesterday's Sunday Times.

Good luck GB.

We should all keep an eye out for users of the towpath as we move round boats and store them on the footpath.

We've had a specific request to make life easy for the 1500 runners taking part in the Cabbage Patch 10 (mile) on Sunday 16th October 2005. The race starts at 10am and the Club is at Mile 8 so runners will sprint, stream and struggle passed the Club from 10.40 to 11.30.

PLEASE be very considerate - ideally staying off the path altogether, or at least being keenly observant.

There will be race marshals to remind you. More details and a race map at www.cabbagepatch10.com

Thanks.

Richmond crew of Henry Hendron, Bret Irvine, Paul Stromose and Rupert Elkington-Cole, triumphed in the Reading K4 Race on Saturday 8th, taking first place on a sprint finish, ahead of rivals Elmbridge. The winning Richmond crew, who had dominated the race, played a tactical and hard fought game with Elmbridge over the 10k course to secure first place.

The second Richmond crew of Nick Garner, Nick Fey, Ryan SA, Piren Shelley, secured 4th place, again on a sprint finish against a strong Tonbridge crew, in a competitive field.

Richmond saw a strong turnout for the K4 race and worked hard for first and forth place. It is hoped that those who expressed an interest in the K4 but were unable to attend the race will seize the opportunity of K4 racing for the Club in the future, in both sprint and marathon racing.

We'll keep you informed.

Reading K4s on Saturday 8th. Details on the Reading website. Looks like we've got two Richmond crews - if you want to try and make a third, contact Henry Hendron.

Reports of a good club turn out at Elmbridge with a blaze of red shirts on (and in) the water. Richmond lead, others follow.

Think of the Hasler points, and head out west to Pangbourne this weekend (9th). Contact Trevor and Peter Barnes for transport details.

Details for the Pangbourne Marathon on Sunday the 9th can be found on Paddle Point and here.

Happy Racing.

The October edition of the Junior's Newsletter is in the Juniors Member Area.