30th Great River Race held on the Thames

Rob Powell Events, News, Rowing

HUNDREDS of boats took part in the 2017 Great River Race on the River Thames yesterday afternoon. It was the 30th time that London’s river marathon has been held, with over 300 craft taking on the 21 mile challenge. The crews, many from around the world, set off from Millwall slipway on the Isle of Dogs 12.40pm. According to the …

QRB Gloriana arrives at Denton, Kent, for winter storage

Staff Writer Rowing

THE QUEEN’S row barge Gloriana has arrived in Denton, east of Gravesend, where she will be stored for the winter. Gloriana was towed down from St Katharine Docks on Monday and was lifted out of the river by the PLA on Tuesday, shortly after midday. Built for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012, Gloriana has taken part in a …

Apprentice Thames Barge Driving Race takes place this weekend

Rob Powell Events, Rowing

THE THAMES will be play host to the now-annual Apprentice Thames Barge Driving Race on Saturday 29th October. The barges, powered only by oars or sweeps, will race in strong tidal currents along a seven-mile course from Greenwich to Westminster. The Apprentice’s race has been set up in recent years to complement the the annual Thames Barge Driving Race which …

Annual Great River Race takes place on the Thames

Rob Powell Events, News, Rowing

HUNDREDS of craft were rowed 21 miles up the Thames yesterday for the 2016 Great River Race. Rowers had windy and rainy conditions to contend with as they powered their boats from Millwall Docks slipway on the Isle of Dogs up to Ham, Richmond. The colourful event, known has London’s river marathon, has been an annual fixture on the Thames …

No Gloriana but show goes on for Lord Mayor’s Thames flotilla

Staff Writer Events, Rowing

ON a grey, wet Saturday morning last weekend, Lord Mayor’s Day began with a Golden Sunrise on the Thames. New Lord Mayor Jeffrey Mountevans boarded the CPBS party boat vessel Golden Sunrise after bad weather conditions put paid to the Queen’s row barge Gloriana playing her usual role in the Thames flotilla. Strong winds on the preceding day meant it had not been …

Thames salute to the Queen’s long reign

Staff Writer Events, Heritage vessels, Rowing

THE RIVER Thames paid its own tribute to HM The Queen as she became the country’s longest serving monarch last week (9th September). Tower Bridge opened in salute as a small flotilla led by Queen’s row barge Gloriana made its up up the Thames from St Katherine Docks to the Houses of Parliament. HMS Portland was alongside HMS Belfast, adding to …

Magna Carta anniversary marked on the Thames

Rob Powell Events, Rowing

A WEEKEND of events to mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta got started today as a replica of the document was carried down the Thames. The document was carried on board the Royal Shallop Jubilant by Charter Bearers in a Thames relay with the Queen’s row barge leading the flotilla. New Charter Bearers joined the vessel at handover points along …

Will Gloriana return for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show?

Rob Powell Events, News, Rowing

THE TRADITIONAL Thames Rowing Association has raised the prospect of the Queen’s row barge Gloriana not appearing at this year’s Lord Mayor’s Day Thames procession. Privately commissioned in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012, Gloriana has since become a popular sight at regattas and events on the river and helped revive an ancient tradition of carrying the new …