Thousands watch sparkling

THOUSANDS of spectators braved a windy evening to watch the illuminated boat parade on Saturday.

About 5,000 people watched from the banks either side of the River Thames as powered and unpowered boats decorated with fairy lights sailed past.

It was the fourth edition of the event held in Henley, after founder Chris Taylor moved it from Cookham in 2022.

Almost 50 vessels took part this year, completing a circuit between Fawley Meadows and Henley Bridge as winds of more than 20mph created tricky conditions for skippers.

Boats were decorated with themes including Super Mario, Peaky Blinders, Back to the Future, Minions and All You Need is Love.

Leander Club opened its doors to the public for the only time in the year, where food and drink was sold.

Judges Dame Mary Berry, Debbie McGee, Edd China and Robert Treharne Jones watched from the Leander Club deck where they deliberated on the winners of five prizes.

Prizes were awarded for best in parade, judges’ special award, best fancy dress on board, best powered and best unpowered.

TV sports commentator Pete O’Hanlon was compère for the evening.

First prize for best in parade went to the crew on Toad in the Hall, decorated by staff from the Toad Hall Garden Centre in Fawley, which sponsored the event.

The boat was adorned with a canopy of fairy lights and was towing a Christmas-themed display with an illuminated, inflatable snowman and illuminated reindeer and Christmas trees.

Tristan Stubbs, who runs the garden centre, said: “I think the boys will have a good laugh in the morning. It’s always a surprise, it took about two days to decorate the boat, it gives them something to do.”

Steve Dunning, from Henley, won the prize for best powered boat in Outatime.

Mr Dunning decorated his Corsiva 250 as the DeLorean from the Back to the Future series with hardboard and aluminium foil.

Dressed as the scientist Doc Brown in a white wig and white overalls, he said he worried the DeLorean boat cover he used to decorate his boat could fly away in the strong winds on the river.

Mr Dunning said: “It was diabolical out there, I was worried the whole thing would lift up, because it’s not actually attached to the boat, it’s just sitting with its own weight, so I was worried it would take off.

“When I was thinking about the most amazing thing you could do I thought, I could do a DeLorean and I realised a DeLorean is 5m and the boat is 5m.

“I scaled it up and worked out what the panels were going to be and it was, unfortunately, made for a lovely summer’s evening with no wind.

“This has taken me the best part of a week to put together, mainly in the afternoons.

“It has got an electric engine and the electrics on it were powered just from a USB cord and a little sound bar which was powered from a mains converter.

“This is the third wig I’ve got — it arrived this morning. The other two were green and the overalls came from Screwfix, so I had great fun making it.”

Sam Morter was on board Winston which was awarded the judges’ choice award with the theme “Celebration of Life!”.

The group on board dressed as “people who celebrate”, which included James Bond, Miss Universe and a Formula One driver.

He said it was his first time at the parade, after being invited by friends, and that he would be looking to return next year.

Mr Morter said: “Sam Palmano had the whole idea that he wanted to do fancy dress to try and get the attention of the crowd and try and stand out. Obviously, we had the lights on the boat, but we knew that we had to bring a bit of a party atmosphere to draw the attention.

“To see so many people, there must have been thousands of people out tonight, so the atmosphere made it all worthwhile. We were doing dance moves and everyone was joining in with our dance moves so it was a really feel good event.

“I didn’t really know what to expect and it was amazing, I can’t believe how many people are here.

“It was very windy. When we drove past the judges we were all on the one side of the boat, so we thought it was going to capsize at one point, luckily, we didn’t.

“It just looks so beautiful, all of the buildings were lit up, the sunset was amazing, all the decorations, I feel like it put Henley in really lovely light and to see it all lit up made it extra special.”

Sam Palmano was on the boat dressed as a Formula One driver. He said: “It was amazing, I’ve not done it before, but Danny Young, whose boat it was, he’s done it for the last three years and I’ve been told about it by my brother-in-law but genuinely it was just amazing with all of the boats.

“To see all of the people, especially on a day that was windy and cold, it was great.

“I was told the other day that they’ve got a load of champagne and everything on the boat, but it was more of a New Year’s Eve kind of thing.

“I thought, who celebrates? There was a golfer on there as well, there was Miss Universe, the DJ was meant to be more of a New Year’s Eve, it was just who sprays champagne basically.”

The runner-up for best powered craft was Daniel Jennings in the Bella Rilassamento, best unpowered craft was awarded to Ian Symon in Sgian Dubh and best fancy dress was awarded to Viv Carruthers and her crew aboard Eliza Jane with the theme Peaky Blinders. Rivertime Boat Trust, which is supported by fundraising at the event, also took part, decorated in the theme “All you need is love”, with an illuminated red and pink heart suspended above its 42ft purpose-built passenger boat.

The event, which earlier this year faced being scaled back or cancelled, was able to go ahead after organisers secured funding from new partners including Phyllis Court Club and accountancy firm Blue Peak.

Co-founders Chris Taylor and Penny Palmano said: “We are enormously grateful to all the entrants who put in such effort and creativity — the DeLorean car on the water was a particular highlight and crowd favourite.

“A big thank-you also to our wonderfully well-behaved spectators, who braved the blustery conditions and gave the boats such an enthusiastic welcome.

“It is deeply rewarding to be able to host a free, family-friendly event for Henley to mark the end of the season. None of it would be possible without the extraordinary efforts of the organising team — Claire Knott, Luke Breen and Sabre Barron Johnston — and the generous support of our sponsors, who help keep the parade alive year after year.

“At one point the judges’ marquee itself nearly took off in the wind, but our intrepid panel held firm! Special thanks go to Peter O’Hanlon, whose lively commentary added colour and energy throughout the evening.

“We’d also like to acknowledge the Henley Standard for their excellent coverage, keeping the town well-informed and engaged.

“Looking ahead, we warmly invite you to take part next year — any boat, of any size, is welcome. What began as a simple idea among friends — taking boats decorated with Christmas lights down the river after a visit to the pub — has now grown into one of Henley’s most cherished and spirited events.”