Women’s regatta thanks volunteers with cream tea

VOLUNTEERS for the Henley Women’s Regatta were thanked with a special cream tea at the town hall.

About 60 attended Sunday’s event, where they chatted to one another and listened to a speech by regatta chairwoman Naomi
Ashcroft.

The teas were provided by the Chocolate Café in Thames Side.

The regatta, which has taken place in June every year since 1998 except 2020, is run entirely by volunteers.

Ms Ashcroft, who took over as chairwoman in September from Naomi Riches, said: “I have been involved with the regatta since 1990, both as a competitor and a volunteer.

“It’s a wonderful regatta with world class competition and creates for women a level of rowing experience from development through to the championships.

“Our volunteers are the real bedrock of hosting and running the regatta. We have grown from when it was first established in 1988. Now we have more than 2,000 competitors coming from around the world.

“We are wholly reliant on our volunteers and it’s important that we recognise their contribution, not just for the three days every June but through the year as well.

“This cream tea is just a way of recognising that support. Everybody attending today is a volunteer.

“We receive fantastic support from local businesses. Temptation Gifts provided the balloons and the WI have agreed to knit us a postbox topper for this year’s regatta, which we are busy preparing for.

“The reason the regatta was established was there was previously no option for women to race in royal Henley.

“A few individuals got together and created that opportunity for women to race on this iconic stretch of the river.

“The regatta is very special because you have the ability to race side by side, which brings an extra excitement to the racing.

“It’s important that women have that equal opportunity and experience racing on the Thames.”

John Buxton, a volunteer, said: “I have always loved Henley and when I moved here five-and-a-half years ago, I learned to row.

“I love the river and I love volunteering and giving back to the local community and it’s fun.

“I also support and sponsor the Henley Hawks women’s team and am very pro-women’s sport. In a male-dominated world, it’s really important to sponsor and help women in sport at all levels.”

Fellow volunteer Pauline Vahey said: “Rowing is Henley and I like to support women. Women deserve a chance as well as men to take part in elite rowing.”

Tamsin Napier, of Gravel Hill, Henley, said: “I volunteered for the first time last year and the reason was Susi Inker [a director].

“She inspired me with her enthusiasm and I’m a great fan of raising the profile of women in sport. I also think the community is really amazing.”

Ms Riches, a Paralympic gold medallist who was chairwoman for two years, said: “It was full-on but it was amazing through the year, planning it all, getting it all to happen and seeing the athletes turn up really proud to be there and excited.

“We have a brilliant team with people who know what they’re doing.”

The regatta’s patrons include Henley Royal Regatta chairman Sir Steve Redgrave and his wife Ann and its Victrix patron is Olympic champion Dame Katherine Grainger.

Its ambassadors are rowers Debbie Bruwer, Ellen Buttrick, Imogen Grant, Jess Eddie, Emily Craig, Jess Leyden, Erin Kennedy, Imogen Walsh, Anna Watkins, Zoe de Toledo, Grace Prendergast, Alison Mowbray, Miriam Luke and Dame Katherine and Ms Riches.

This year’s regatta will be held from June 21 to 23.