A historic rowing club which last year suffered an act of vandalism, causing thousands of pounds' worth of damage, is celebrating a change in fortunes by officially naming its new boats.

In February 2024, a boat at Ironbridge Rowing Club, based in Shropshire's Ironbridge Gorge, was torn from its racking and smashed on the floor.

A fundraiser collected £5,000, with further donations and funding allowing the club to purchase three new vessels - which were christened on Sunday.

"We had just a small amount of fizz poured over the bows - you definitely don't smash the bottle over them," said club chair Gail Thomas. "It was a fantastic day."

The club used the money raised to buy a new lightweight double scull but also secured matched funding from the Rowing Foundation to buy two single sculls for use by lightweight junior members.

Much of the money was raised by local residents and businesses, including Dale End Cafe, The Toy Box, The Butchers Bar and Merrythought Bears, which was reflected in the club's choice of names for the new boats.

"The new double scull will be called The Gorge in recognition of all the people and businesses who donated to making the purchase happen," said Stewart Plant, the club captain.

"At the same time, it is wonderful to recognise the support that Merrythought has given the club over the years by naming the first of our new cadet sculls Merrythought.