Town gets ready for royal regatta crowds

HENLEY has been gearing up for the royal regatta, which begins next week.

More than 300,000 spectators are expected to visit the town during the event, which begins on Tuesday and ends next Sunday.

Almost 400 races will be held following the second highest number of entries in the regatta’s
184-year history.

A total of 732 crews from 17 nations have entered, including the first ever representation for Zimbabwe. A record 581 crews are domestic.

The number of female rowers is 1,400, which is twice that of the 2019 regatta, following the addition of three new women’s events in 2021.

Sir Steve Redgrave, who chairs the regatta’s committee of management, said: “The doubling of the number of female rowers is testament to the successful introduction of the Prince Philip (junior women’s eights), the Island (student women’s eights) and the Wargrave (club women’s eights).

“It is more than just numbers, though. This is about helping to establish pathways from junior level to the elite squads and keeping our athletes in the sport.

“The talent is there, the numbers are growing and there are events for them to grow into. We are excited to see that women’s participation is set to expand further over time.”

A rule change in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, for junior men’s eights, means that for the first time clubs as well as schools have been allowed to enter. Sir Steve said this would “broaden the pathways” in the competition and encourage talent from clubs around the world to participate.

Sun and light rain showers are expected over the six-day regatta with temperatures in the early twenties.

As usual, there will be a strong police presence with a mixture of neighbourhood and specialist teams, including mounted and marine units. For the first time, police drones will also be deployed for the duration of the event.

Along Fawley Meadows, there will be a picnic enclosure, restaurant and lounge playing live music.

Prizegiving will take place at the end of finals with a procession led by previous winners of the Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager from the Company of Watermen and Lightermen.

Businesses in the town have been preparing for the influx of visitors by setting up themed window displays and preparing merchandise.

The red lion at the Relais Henley hotel in Hart Street has been dressed in boating hat and blazer and the Daisy Love Café in Station Road has had a rowing crest painted on the window by artist Nicola Sutherland, the mother of a member of staff, in exchange for free coffee and cake.

Anna Thompkins, who works at the café, said: “Last year was super busy, so we are feeling the pressure.” She said the café had stocked up on supplies and installed a takeaway one-way system as well as having four serving staff instead of the usual two throughout the week.

She said: “Four out of six of us are Leander rowers. There is a big community connection there. Hopefully we are all going to support our rowers on the days when we aren’t working.”

Artist Francis Palmer created a window display at Henley Scan in Reading Road, featuring scenes from the regatta, Henley Festival and Rewind Festival.

Business co-owner Eva Rickett said: “This will be our second regatta. The town is so busy. Our business is not directed at tourists but we do get a number of enquiries throughout the week.

“I chose to put wooden boards under the art as the deckchair texture captures the ethos of Henley in the summertime. We also have glasses of Pimm’s as decoration to show a sense of Henley identity.

“I have had people comment on my window asking if they can have the artwork after the summer. However, I think I might keep it up indefinitely. We are a creative business and it is nice to express it in our shop window.”

Laurence Morris, owner of Laurence Menswear on Duke Street, said: “We’re really pleased with the way sales are going. The main items are regatta jackets and chinos and outside of regatta wear it’s party shirts and shorts. There are lots of overseas people coming in and buying stuff. There’s a real buzz about town.”

Crew Clothing in Market Place has released a special regatta-themed clothing line. Manager Anthony Dale said: “We are partners with the regatta and this is our third year. On Monday, we will relaunch our collection and move everything regatta-themed into the front. Our logo has crossed oars, which is derived from our sailing background, but they go perfectly with the regatta partnership.”

Golden Needle Tailoring in Friday Street has prepared handmade tote bags featuring embroidered rowing boats and the regatta symbol.

Owner Dennis Kamalaq said: “This is our first year doing a regatta window display and we hope it will bring in business. As a tailoring company, this is our busiest time of year, with alterations for all the event outfits. We very busy anyway but our work is always positively affected by the regatta.”

• Thames Side will be closed from its junction with Hart Street and Friday Street to allow for passengers to walk safely from Henley station to the regatta site. The intermittent closures will take place from 9am to 11pm from Tuesday to Sunday, July 2 and last about 10 minutes. A diversion route will be in place using the following: Henley Bridge, Hart Street, Market Place, Gravel Hill, Paradise Road, Deanfield Avenue, Greys Road, Reading Road and Station Road.