F. Collar ~ Oarmaker

On the cover of the May 2012 issue of Rowing & Regatta, British Rowing's publication, 'Bert' and 'Dickie' were holding sculls made by the oarmaker Collars for the film about the two Olympian champions Bert Bushnell and Dickie Burnell.

Yesterday, Greg Denieffe made a nice find on YouTube, a film about the oar and scull making business F. Collar in Oxfordshire. Frank Collar, whose father and grandfather had been oarmakers, decided in 1932 to leave his accounting work to start building oars and sculls in Oxford, and soon his father joined him. The company still exists today, now also making masts for yachts. Below is the fine film about two museum volunteers who set out to find more information about Frank Collar and Ron Cousins, who joined Collar in the oarmaking business. Enjoy!