21/05/2026
Heroes of Our School – 1/14: The Sailor (1957) ⛵
Here is the first in a set of fourteen character profiles from The Radleian, originally published during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
(‘Theodora’ was the name of the fondly remembered College vessel.)
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‘Every summer, we are faced with the familiar phenomenon which we know as the Sailor, or Sailing Club Member. We are faced with him in the most unexpected of places – not to mention clothes.
The Carpentry Shop and the Art School are among his favourite haunts. The Old Gym he cheerfully regards as his own. The river, oddly enough, he is inclined to cold shoulder. He prefers the Gravel Pits, where only Sailors, and of course the C.C.F. in its brighter moments, are known to tread – or rather float.
So much for his habitat – now for his plumage. This is usually of an indiscriminate mud colour. He wears grey gym shoes, old cut-down shorts or jeans – preferably paint-splodged – a huge blue sweater with the word “THEODORA” painted amateurishly on the back, and a hat like a tea cosy on his head.
His clothes, be they everyday or sailing kit, are invariably dirty. When he is asked why, he will probably reply: “Because I like wearing dirty clothes.” That, at any rate, is how it appears to the non-initiated, the general public.
Add to this a good line in patter when he is late for everything – another of his little habits – and you have your sailor: lawless, ubiquitous, happy, and unbelievably filthy. Funnily enough, he also seems to manage to win his races.’
📸 - Sailing in 1950, 1966, 1974 and 2015, Theodora in 1966, the 1973 1st VI.
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❓ 💬 Were you a Radley Sailor? If so … are you still wearing your cut-down shorts and Theodora sweater?
