PREPARATIONS for Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club’s annual summer regatta are almost complete with the event to take place this coming Saturday (June 17).
The club have tidied up the grounds and building whilst the rowing and sculling blades have seen a fresh coat of paint and boats checked to competition standard in preparation for the regatta.
Crews from Evesham, Magdalen College School, King’s School Worcester, Royal Grammar School Worcester, Hereford, Ross, Clifton College and King Edward VI School will compete against Stratford.
Regatta secretary, Dan Warren said: “A lot of hard work goes into planning the regatta, we’ve already put up our marquees and started getting in stocks for the tea tent from local suppliers.”
Stratford Boat Club’s president, Paul Stanton added: “The regatta and also the fun regatta on Saturday, July 8 are very weather dependent events and without all the hard work put in by our volunteers, we couldn’t risk holding the regattas.
“We are also amazingly lucky to have help from other river organisations such as the Avon Navigation Trust, the Sea Cadets, Avon Boating, the Environment Agency, Bancroft Cruisers, Canal and River Tours, the Countess of Evesham and also the co-operation of those who make their living on the river.”
The Boat Club’s chairman, Dawson Curnock, said: “Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club looks forward to welcoming competing crews, guests and especially Stratford and Warwickshire residents and visitors to the town down to watch and enjoy what is going to be an action packed day.”
The regatta has been taking place in Stratford since 1879 with racing to take place on the town stretch of the river from Holy Trinity Church to the club grounds by the Tramway Bridge.
Racing will begin at 8.30am and finish at around 5.30pm with 34 events, 128 races, 162 crews and 246 competitors set to take part.
The regatta attracts a lot of interest from visitors to the town who come down to the Bancroft Gardens and the Recreation Ground to enjoy the racing.
And a catering wagon and beer and tea tent in the club grounds will be open to all.
