said: “He was everything to me - I can’t tell you how close we were. I feel like dying and haven’t slept for a moment.”

Floral tributes and cards were left on the river bank. One, signed Gul, said: “I miss you from the bottom of my heart. I hope you have a place in heaven where one day we will meet.”

Police were called to a number of disturbances on Saturday night amid fears of a repeat of an incident at last year’s regatta in which a Belgian rower was knifed.

It was this incident that led regatta organisers to refuse permission for the traditional fireworks display to be held on its land. A new site was found at Sham Hill — only for Wokingham Borough Council to effectively pull the plug in a row over footpath closures.

With temperatures reaching 33C, revellers took to the towpath with alcohol, picnics and barbecues. Some were underage and one 15-year-old girl collapsed and needed medical treatment.

Police received a report of 20 youths attacking an ambulance at the Redgrave Bar on the towpath towards Temple Island. A 15-year-old boy was arrested for hitting another youth over the head with a bottle, causing minor injuries. A man in his early twenties was arrested in the Barn Bar at Remenham for carrying a knuckle duster.

Just after midnight on Sunday, six people were arrested at Twyford railway station after what British Transport Police called a “serious disturbance” involving regatta-goers on their way home. The two men, three women and 17-year-old girl were held on suspicion of causing affray and released on police bail.

The Catherine Wheel pub in Hart Street had windows smashed, as did the Angel on the Bridge when one member of a 12-strong gang of unruly men fell into the glass, causing it to shatter. He ran off, apparently uninjured.

Sgt Mark Cameron, of Thames Valley Police, said: “Year on year, crime at the regatta is falling. This is down to better management and a greater focus on early intervention. We go out of our way to speak to known troublemakers and let them know that we are watching.

“People come from Caversham, Reading and Tilehurst and they meet up with people from Henley and others from Wallingford and Didcot and the next thing we know we have got a fight.

“On the other side, we have families with babies and jugs of Pimm’s. Ninety-nine per cent of people are here to have a good time, a drink and enjoy the experience.”

However, one trader claimed this year’s regatta was the worst ever for violence.

He said: “At 3.30am on Saturday, there were only two police officers to deal with about 2,000 people who were throwing up and throwing kebab wrappers and chilli sauce everywhere.

“On Friday night, a regatta-goer was jumping on a car in a lay-by. Two police officers saw him and gave chase and he just jumped off the bonnet and ran off.

“I have had to take my car to be cleaned three times, twice because someone had been sick all over it and the other time because it was covered in spit.

“It is creating a yobbish culture and the town is not peaceful any longer.”

Supt Amanda Pearson, police area commander, said in a statement: “I am happy that the policing of the regatta was proportionate and for the main part of the week successful in preventing crime and disorder and that working with the organisers and our partners ensured a safe and successful event.

“It is fair to say that Saturday evening presented a different policing challenge with thousands of people drinking and socialising, particularly along the towpath.

“A small number of people took advantage of this to commit thefts and a number of people were engaged in alcohol-related anti-social and violent behaviour.

“Our officers worked tirelessly in a difficult environment, making positive interventions to ensure none of these incidents escalated into serious disorder. Overall, crime levels were down on previous years.”

Regatta secretary Daniel Grist said: “I think it went exceptionally well. The hot weather and fine conditions meant people came along in great numbers to support and enjoy the event for which we were very pleased.”

The event, celebrating its 160th year, is one of the highlights of the British social calendar.

This year, men in the Stewards’ enclosure were allowed to remove their jackets on the first day for the first time since 1976 as temperatures soared.

In a more modern tradition, a parade of boats, some of them bizarre-looking, went along the river over the weekend. On Saturday afternoon, the water became so busy that race crews were banned from practising during the tea interval.

The biggest cheers were reserved for the Michael Jackson boat, which featured eight people dressed as the “King of Pop” dancing to a collection of his hits.

The now familiar Singing Elvises were back and a political party docked a yellow submarine near the Angel on the Bridge.

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Published on 13 July 2009 by the Henley Standard, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire.