Fun on the River at the Regatta for the Disabled

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The sun shone on the Regatta for the Disabled again this year on Saturday at Phyllis Court.  This event, in its fourth year, was a great day out for all families with lots of activities to enjoy including boat trips, Punch and Judy, face painting, bouncy castle and farm animals provided by Miller’s Ark Animals from Hook.  The event was opened in the morning by John Howell, MP, who was delighted to be asked again this year.

The boat trips were offered by Hobbs of Henley and the Rivertime  Boat Trust who have a specially constructed boat which is fully accessible for wheelchair users.  Pat Davis from Rivertime was also giving out a lovely goodie bag for all the children which included a drink, snacks, sweets and their children’s book ‘Rivertime Rescue’.

Local charities (Headway Thames Valley and the Bruce Trust) and Bishopswood School had fundraising stalls which included a cake stall, lucky dip and guess the name of the bear. Lauren Perks, aged 10 was delighted to win Charlie bear (pictured left) from the Bishopswood School stall. The Bruce Trust have specially-designed, wide-beam canal boats on Kennet Canal, accessible for people with a wide variety of special needs www.brucetrust.org.uk .

Lots of volunteers from Henley Lions were on hand to help with car parking and welcoming everyone at the entrance.

Eleven teams entered the Dragon Boat racing event which was organised by Team Activity Group.  The teams were local companies, schools and charities.  The event was a closely contested and the semi-final between the IndiCater Gators (local company from Henley) and the Puddleducks had to be re-run because the first race was deemed a dead heat.  The IndiCater Gaters then pipped it in the re-run to face Pick ‘n Mix in the final.  Having had to race three times within half an hour and were perhaps at a disadvantage, the IndiCater Gaters were then narrowly beaten by Pick ‘n Mix in the final to win the trophy.  The Pick ‘n Mix team all dressed up in characters from Wally, Kermit to Superman were representing Headway Thames Valley and were delighted to win.  Team Holt, made up of mainly children from Addington School in Woodley won the award for the most Enthusiastic Team.

This excellent event is organised by a great committee headed up by Chairman Ian Tritton who said, “It’s been a fantastic day and thank you to everyone who has supported this event.”  He thanked the sponsors Shanley Foundation, Phyllis Court Club for offering the venue free of charge, Partners in Purchasing, The Drapers Company, Bright Spark, Hobbs of Henley and the Stewards’ Charitable Trust.