Inter-town match delay

AN Olympic-style competition between Henley and Marlow is unlikely to take place before 2018.

Last year, councillors agreed the two towns should take each other on in up to 20 sports with the highlight being a tug of war contest across the Thames. 

The event would be held every two years with each town taking turns to host it, possibly over the May bank holiday weekend.

But a meeting on Tuesday heard that more time was need for organisation. Deputy Mayor Will Hamilton, who has discussed the idea with his Marlow counterpart, said: “The problem is there’s a lot of work for the town hall to do and I don’t think we have the resources available. We have more time in August when the river is warmer and the weather will be better.”

Councillor Sarah Miller added: “If we are talking August this year that’s a heck of a lot of organising to put together. I would be inclined to put it back a year.”

The council will form a working group.