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East life<br />
There is an eclectic mix of members at the club.<br />
Pitching in at over 60 people, the club’s oldest<br />
surviving member is 80 years old and has plenty<br />
of stories and photos to prove it. The club's<br />
history was explored in depth last year as part<br />
of writer Travis Elborough’s Chisenhale Gallery<br />
Victoria Park Residency. Elborough collaborated<br />
with director Paul Kelly on a short film The Ace of<br />
Clubs, which investigated the importance of the<br />
park as a recreational space for leisure clubs. This<br />
prompted a lot of interest in the club, especially<br />
among youths and families living in East London.<br />
Besides fulfilling a hobby, the club is tremendously<br />
social. There are regattas and events with other<br />
clubs and some group members are serious<br />
competitors. Norman himself has travelled<br />
the world as a top speed world and European<br />
champion on several occasions; his own<br />
hydroplane reaching a record speed of 135mph.<br />
He is currently second fastest in the world and<br />
British champion for tethered hydroplane racing.<br />
To apply for a place at the club, simply turn up<br />
on a Sunday at the Boating Hut (East side of the<br />
park) between 8.30am and 9am. There’s a small<br />
annual charge of £12 to cover club costs and<br />
boat insurance. The club starts again, hopefully<br />
with the sunshine, on Easter Sunday and will go<br />
through to October.<br />
What's your favourite place to drink?<br />
It’s been knocked down! It was The Moulders<br />
Arms pub in Bow. The locals called it the Rocks<br />
and Boulder, slang for the Moulders. I’m sure<br />
there’ll be bars under the nearby railway arches<br />
soon, though.<br />
East London’s best-kept secret?<br />
The few East End pubs like this one (The Little<br />
Driver) that are still standing in this area and play<br />
sports. And the chicken shop across the road. You<br />
can’t miss the chicken shops round here.<br />
Continued overleaf...<br />
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