About Us | laburnum-boat-club

The Laburnum Boat Club is a community-based boating project by the Regents Canal in South Hackney.

A voluntary organisation managed by local people, it aims to provide opportunities for the personal development of children, young people and their families in the local community through participation in a range of water-based activities.

“to be a positive force for changing lives in a safe and supportive environment"

Staff Team

Beth Ettinger

Co-ordinator

Jonjo O'Neill

Instructor

Dom Hinshelwood

Senior Youth Worker

David LeCointe

Inclusion Worker

Andrew Blue

Senior Skipper

Management Committee

Malcolm Stewart

Malcolm Stewart is a retired Architect. After their three sons grew up, he and his wife
Sheila, a retired Nursery Nurse, fostered babies whilst social services supported their
parental care or until the courts advised on adoption. Malcolm also served on the fostering
and adoption panel of a local authority.
He has always had an interest in boat history and canals and enjoys dinghy sailing, rowing
and boat restoration. As a member of Canals in Hackney User’s Group, he promotes using
funds and facilities to support Laburnum Boat Club.

Marnie Collins

I have lived and worked in Hackney all my life. Teaching swimming to as many people I could. I love it here.

I was a teenager at Laburnum Boat Club and am now very proud to be on their committee.

Verity Dennison

I joined the Management Committee in 2023. I’ve lived in Hackney for more than 30 years and brought up my family here, I’m a lawyer. My involvement with the boat club started when my younger daughter joined several years ago. It is no overstatement to say that the boat club changed her life. I’m pleased to now have the opportunity to give something back

Bruce Logan

Seconded in 2006 to the Board to represent UBS, a long-term supporter of Laburnum Boat Club and still on the Board many years later.

Background in Business, Project and Programme Management, which I contribute to the club through a focus on strategic and financial planning.

Love the friendly atmosphere, how inclusive the club is and can confidently state that the club has the most unique AGM I have ever attended.

Kumar Kotecha

Independent consultant and University academic with expertise in Teacher Training, Youth & Community Work/Study, Management & Leadership, Third Sector & Social Enterprise and Criminal Law

Katie Cullinan

I live in Hackney and my family took part in the club’s activities for many years when our children were at school. I became a member and trustee of the Laburnum Management Committee over 15 years ago when my youngest son moved away from the club.

I am on the Employment sub-committee which is very interesting as well as an important place where anything to do with employment can be discussed with senior staff ensure the smooth running of the club.

I am a speech and language therapist working in a central London hospital.

Julian Putkowski

Julian Putkowski, military historian (retired), b. 1947; Hackney resident since 1980; joined LBC Management Committee in 1987.