The Longbridges boathouse, which
was destroyed by fire after an attack claimed to be by the Aanimal Liberation Front, has re-opened. In July, the
boathouse which contained boats from Hertford, Mansfield, St Hilda’s, St
Catherine’s and St Benet’s Hall was set alight causing around £500,000 worth of
damage and destroying 26 boats. Many colleges have had to borrow equipment and
facilities from other colleges resulting in disruption. Steve Royle, the University Director of Rowing said that “we’re delighted
to get back on stream and it’s great to be back in business.” Alice Motion,
boat club captain for St Hilda’s College said that she appreciated “the
kindness of all the clubs who let us rack with them and put up with inordinate
amounts of hassle from us.” She expressed her relief at the
reopening of the boathouse, saying: “Longbridges is far more convenient and has
a real sense of community.” She added, “I hope the Animal
Liberation Front will see this as a warning to them – that no matter what they
do to us, we’re not going to give in.” Pete Gould, Boat Club Captain for
the St Catherine’s men’s team said that it was “great to be back on the water”
and gave credit to everyone involved in sorting out the fire which “took a lot
of time and a lot of effort.” He said that St Catherine’s had faced the biggest
replacement costs for damaged equipment and that they had been advised to keep
a low profile, “we don’t want to give publicity or more motivation to those who
did this.” Gould added: “We want to ignore the
political agenda and we are very glad to have boats back to row in again.”Dr John Landers, principal of Hertford College which
owns the Longbridges building said "I am very pleased that the boathouse
has been re-opened", but declined to comment as to whether greater security
measures had been taken following the attack. Oxford University security services told Cherwell
that they did not wish to comment on whether they have advised colleges on
safety precautions or taken extra measures.A spokesperson for Thames Valley
Police said that there have been no arrests or charges brought against anyone.
He said "the investigation is still ongoing, the Thames Valley Police
speak regularly to the university authorities and appropriate advice would be
given where necessary."ARCHIVE: 4th week MT 2005
Longbridges reopens
