TWO clergymen from Evesham, Bishop Robert Paterson and the Revd Ian Spencer, have been rowing up the River Severn to raise money for retreat house, Holland House, where Revd Ian is the warden.

In the boat ‘Maria’, which was repaired by Bishop Robert, they rowed a 20-mile stretch of the river from Bewdley Rowing Club to the Kings School Boathouse in Worcester. They were sponsored to row, raising money for the Holland House anniversary appeal, which was launched to protect the retreat house so it can be enjoyed by future generations.

On completing the row, Ian said: “"Our little boat Maria was only designed for tourists to row a few hundred yards around Stratford Upon Avon, so to go 20 miles was quite a task for all three of us! The windy weather hindered our progress in places, but I'm delighted to say we finished the course on time - although Robert and I had a few aches and pains the day after. Our thanks to Bewdley Rowing Club, the lock-keepers, Helen Williams, Barry Kent, and everyone else who supported us.”

Robert said: “When I took this on, I didn’t reckon on a low river level, resulting in a minimal flow, nor the very strong head-wind, but it was good fun and good exercise, and all for a very good cause worth supporting.”

Holland House is a Christian retreat centre in Cropthorne, near Evesham. The anniversary appeal was launched last year on the House’s 70th anniversary. Fundraising has already meant that the chapel has been completely refurbished.