Henley Society

AUGUST got off to a cracking start for the Henley Society when it sponsored, for the first time ever, a race at the Henley Town and Visitors’ Regatta.

If there is a better-organised or more efficiently-run event on the Thames then we would be surprised.

We sponsored the junior 16 sculls which was won by Stanley Sharp, of Wallingford Rowing Club, by two-and-a-half lengths from Charlie Green, of Henley Rowing Club. We cannot wait for next year’s event.

The first phase of the long-awaited resurfacing of Reading Road is scheduled to take place between September 15 and 19 with the second phase between October 8 and 15. Dates are weather-dependent.

Oxfordshire County Council has said that disruption will be kept to a minimum, with work requiring road closures taking place at night, where possible. We are delighted to report that we have been joined during the month by new members Christine Ross, Fernandez Morales and Paul and Pauline Dixon.

The next of our regular meetings with town hall officials took place on Monday.

Meanwhile, Sunday, August 10 saw our summer event — Music on the Lawn — at the Eyot Centre, when more than 110 members and guests listened and danced to the music of Barry Owen and enjoyed a pig roast by the Spitting Pig Company, all in glorious weather.

Thank you to all who supported the event and to those who subsequently wrote in with their comments.

There was no sign of a “Mr Fox” on the ticketing list but nonetheless he turned up, albeit late and missed the music, and more importantly, for him, the roast pig. Those who stayed on for a drink after the festivities were enthralled by him.

The month of August became even better for us when we learned that, following face-to-face discussions with the operations team at Gail’s Bakery head office, it accepted all our proposals and has set up its commercial waste disposal arrangements such that their rubbish will never be left on the pavement but be put straight into the collection vehicle when it arrives.

We have now started encouraging other outlets in town to follow Gail’s excellent example.

Our membership level is now at 661 but our ever-optimistic secretary, Nick Richardson, has set us a target of reaching the magical 1,000. Is this achievable? Not without your help.

We are asking members to recruit from their friends, neighbours and relatives. While income is important so that we can invest in improvements to the town, that is not the reason for wishing to grow. Rather, the more members we have the louder the society’s voice when dealing with our authorities. So, we ask you to recruit to make your society even stronger.

Remember, annual subscriptions start at only £5 for individuals. Membership applications and subscription payments can be made via www.thehenleysociety.org

Our first autumn talk will be given by Matthew Barber, the Thames Valley Police Commissioner, on Thursday, October 2 at 7.30pm in the Eyot Centre, Wargrave Road. We look forward to seeing you there. We are planning to add a second talk later in November.

Once again the society will be represented at the Henley Farm and Country Show on Saturday, September 13 at the Henley Showground. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible on our stand.

Come and see the birds of prey and show-jumping among other attractions. For more information, visit www.the
henleyshow.co.uk

Finally, a date for your diary — the society’s annual meeting will take place on Thursday, April 9, 2026.

The Executive Committee