THE ASHES OF keen gig rower and committed member of Cape Cornwall Pilot Gig Club Catherine Ratcliffe are to be scattered from a gig off Sennen after she died following a long fight against cancer.

Catherine, aged 50, a key member of the women’s A Crew, was part of the fabric of Cape Cornwall Pilot Gig Club, a past treasurer and long term committee member who was integral to keeping the club going through tough times.

Originally from Rochdale, she was a member of the artist community of West Cornwall, a printmaker whose work was sold in a number of venues locally, including the Roundhouse at Sennen where she also worked.

Before moving to Cornwall Catherine taught in Rochdale and at Manchester University and also dedicated time to teaching art to people with learning difficulties.

On moving to Cornwall she threw herself into gig rowing with her typical enthusiasm and good nature and was a regular at events in the summer, representing Cape Cornwall at the World Championships on the Isles of Scilly four times.

Catherine, whose self-deprecating humour and drawn out Lancashire vowels made everyone she met smile, will be sadly missed by all who knew her. A true gig rower, she understood the privilege of rowing off Sennen, Cape Cornwall and Lands End. Her ashes will be scattered from the gig Brisons in the Spring.