Robin Mackness 1938-2021

Robin Mackness died in the RD&E hospital, Exeter on January 11 after a period of ill health complicated by dementia.

He was Captain of Boats in the early 1960s and, more than any other was the inspiration behind Fitzwilliam’s uninterrupted climb to become Head of the River later in the decade. Previously he had rowed for Bedford School and the RAF, where he learnt modern competitive training methods. His opening statement to the Club that “we undergraduates can’t do much to improve the standing of the House, but we can put the Boat Club on the map and make it the Club to belong to" caught the imagination of a generation. He encouraged many newcomers to take up the sport, introduced Interval Training, and generally widened our horizons, including taking us to Henley for the first time. He gave Fitz subliminal publicity by being the Rowing correspondent for Varsity - he was Ambrose Way. He was particularly proud of the Reddaway Prize, which he received in 1962.

He was a man of great charm, persuasiveness and indomitable determination which led to a colourful later life and not a few challenges with Authority - not before he had set up Slumberdown and made some millions within three years of going down. He is survived by his loyal wife Elizabeth, daughter Felicity and son Peter.