A Home for the Club
By the beginning of 1905 the increased membership had given rise to reasonable finances with £11 in the bank, and there was a pressing need for a permanent home near to the racing course to store boat gear and to provide changing facilities.

A Sub-Committee was set up early in the year to investigate the establishment of River Quarters. This committee contacted local land owners and in May it was decided to rent a strip of land 30ft wide and 250 ft long on the River bank, this being part of the wash land owned by Mr Keats and known as Keats’ Meadow or just the Paddock. For the privilege the Club agreed to pay an annual lease fee of £1.

The wash land at Waterbeach was at that time divided by drainage ditches and a wide navigation channel which went up to Waterbeach station. This latter was known as Waterbeach Lode and was navigable for barges to go to the station. (See Appendix 2.)

The Club immediately set to work to establish a clubhouse. Mr Walter Lilley offered a loan of £25 at 5% repayable over 5 years. W. H. Hayles, a founder member and carpenter designed and built an open fronted pavilion close to and facing the river at the western end of the strip. The site is visible today as the rectangular portion of the bank which protrudes further into the river by the upstream dinghy slipway.

To celebrate the new site a Regatta was held in August 1905 with sailing, rowing of tub pairs with Lady Coxwains, an upset canoe race and a “Dongola” race. (sic) Over 400 people are reported as attending.

The clubhouse had an open area 19ft. by 12ft. which was lined with lockers and slatted seating. At either side were two dressing rooms and to the rear a gear shed 35’ by 9’ for sail storage etc. The total cost of building was £50 5s. This clubhouse was to serve the club until 1967 when a new clubhouse was built on the present site. The keys for the clubhouse were held by Henry Curtis, who also tended the grounds for the club. Henry was also landlord of the Star Inn which became the River Quarters of the Club instead of the Bridge Hotel. The Star continued as the favoured hostelry for Club members right up to its recent closure.