Thames Traditional Boat Rally,

 20 July 2003

Fawley Meadows, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire

The Allsorts Members who attended this event very much enjoyed the beautiful sunny weather and a picnic by the Thames.  The stunning traditional craft were lovely to watch, gliding by on the water, and many of the crew and passengers where in traditional dress.  The launches were delightfully decorated with flowers and champagne on ice!

The Thames Traditional Boat Rally was formed after the River Thames Society put up a trophy to encourage the restoration, maintenance and use of traditionally built craft.  To enter the Rally, eligible boats should be constructed from traditional materials  using traditional methods.  The age of the boats is not one of the entry criteria, although there are separate awards for maintenance, restoration, and for new construction.

The Society has thus fostered more old boats being restored, new traditional built boats and introduced a large number of people to traditional boating.

The programme was interesting and varied and included a parade of the Little Boats that sailed to Dunkirk, which proved emotional and evocative.

The aim is to keep the Rally to its present size in Fawley Meadow.  Let us know if anyone wishes to attend next year!

Our thanks to the TTBR Committee for the details above taken  from the 2003 programme.