In June 1961, when the first group of 7 boys aged 10-11 was formed, we decided to build a canoe – a PBK20 of wood and canvas. It was started in the old Tilery School hall and finished in St. James’ Hall on Tilery Rec. Towards the end of construction we held a meeting, sitting on the floor around the canoe, to decide on a name for the canoe and for our organisation.

With a sudden attack of sea fever one of the boys suggested Great Eastern – one of Brunel’s steam ships. Then another boy suggested The Raven – a steam boat on Lake Windermere that he had been on. The first boy supported the second idea because he, being a mine of information, had heard that the Ravens in the Tower of London lived on forever!

So the organisation became known as The Eastern Ravens and the canoe as The Raven.