Rowing and the Watermen and Lightermen
As is now the custom, the Master of the Watermen and Lightermen Richard Goddard, arrived by boat to attend the annual Parliamentary Boat Race at the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday 23rd June.
The House of Commons and House of Lords crews were steered by coxes from London Rowing Club, with the Commons overturning last year’s result to take the hotly contested title back from the Lords. Crews from London Youth Rowing, Vesta, Auriol Kensington, Imperial College and London Rowing Club also took part in a series of demonstration races in near perfect conditions.
The Company of Watermen and Lightermen managed to add pomp and pageantry to the occasion, despite being without ‘Lady Mayoress’, their ceremonial shallop, which was being held in Richmond after the ‘Tudor Pull’ to Hampton Court for use in a charity row.
Mark Hunter received his Freedom of the City of London on Thursday 25th June. Mark is sponsored by Siemens plc who, together with the All Parliamentary Rowing Group, organise the Parliamentary Boat Race. Many thanks to Sandra Rowse for her kind permission to use this photograph.
On Friday 10th July at 12.30 pm the Watermen and Lightermen will be staging the 296th Doggett’s Coat and Badge race. This is a gruelling 4 mile, 7 furlong for single scullers, and is claimed by the Company to be the oldest continuous sporting event in the country. Read more at their website.
