The Cantabs Committee has been saddened to hear of the recent death of Mike Arnold, who was a member of the club for most of its history and throughout his adult life.
Mike was a pupil at the County School for Boys between 1952 and 1958 and first rowed with Cantabs in the 1960s, including rowing in the club's first VIII for bumps on many years.
When Mike got married in August 1962, he and his new wife Madeleine processed out of the church under an arch of Cantabs blades held by fellow club members.
Mike became an enthusiastic coach of both adults and juniors and was instrumental in Cantabs gaining the coveted Project Oarsome status in 2001, cementing the club's links with local schools and gaining a substantial award of junior training equipment, supported by National Lottery funding.
Among the many youngsters that Mike coached were children from the Rees Thomas School. In recognition of his efforts, the ARA (which later became British Rowing) awarded him both the Eastern Region Adaptive Rowing Coach Award and the National ARA Adaptive Rowing Coach Award in 2002. Mike said "It's great for the kids more than anything. It goes to show that they can do things that other people think they can't do. It's just a case of being patient and trying to find the words to connect with them". Mike's continuing contribution was marked by receiving the Eastern Region Adaptive Rowing Coach Award again in 2006.
Mike took on many committee roles within Cantabs, including Social Secretary and Assistant Treasurer and notably acted as club auditor in seven decades! He was made a Vice President of the club in 1974, in recognition of his roles as coach and auditor, and an Honorary Life Member in 2010, reflecting his exceptional impact on the club.
Mike was also actively involved in the Cambridgeshire Rowing Association, most recently as a trustee of the organisation, having been made a VP in recognition of his contribution over many decades.
Having stepped back from active coaching in his later years, Mike remained an enthusiastic member and supporter of the club with youthful enthusiasm. In 2025 he was delighted to model the cap he had commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the club!
Mike's funeral will take place at the Cambridge Crematorium on Tuesday 24th February, at 11:15am. Family flowers only please, but donations to Arthur Rank Hospice would be welcomed.