win the Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup for the club at Henley Regatta. During the Second World War the London Fire Brigade requisitioned Vesta’s clubhouse for the duration of the hostilities. Rowing however continued as Barclays Bank Rowing Club allowed Vesta to operate out of its premises further along the Embankment. Seven pre-war members of the club did not return from that conflict. In 1960 the club’s coxless IV won at Twickenham, Marlow, Kingston and as favourites, won through to the final at Henley Royal Regatta losing to St. Thomas’ Hospital. In 1976 the first VIII won the Grand Challenge Cup at Marlow Regatta. A coxless IV made up of rowers from this crew won a silver medal in that year's national championships. In 1981 the club returned to winning ways at Henley Regatta with the club's coxed IV winning the Britannia Cup. The club's highest ever finish in the Eights Head of the River Race was recorded in 1986 when the club's first VIII finished sixth overall, winning the Vernon Trophy as the fastest Tideway crew. Senior Women March 1994 was a notable year for the club when members voted to allow women join as full members. With time success followed. The club won Senior VIIIs and lightweight Sculls at Henley Women's Regatta in 2004. The women's senior squad repeated this victory in 2010 when they again won Senior VIIIs at that regatta and competed on Saturday at Henley Royal Regatta. The squad continued with their domestic success winning the Intermediate Club VIIIs at Henley Women's Regatta in 2011 and again in 2012. Events Vesta has run many annual competitions down through the years. The club first started doing this in 1912. In 1923 the Vesta Dashes, which were a mid-summer short course competition run over three evenings, were instigated. As already stated in 1954 the club founded the Scullers’ Head of the River race. In 1981 Vesta organised the first Veterans’ Head of the River Race when then main VIIIs Head race stopped taking Veteran entries. This race is now one of the largest head races that takes place on the tidal Thames with competitors and crews coming from across the UK and abroad to participate. Notable results In 2009 the senior men's coxed IV reached the finals of the Britannia Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. Unfortunately, the unseeded Vesta crew were defeated by just under