5:54pm Saturday 4th September 2010
OARSMEN and women took to the Thames today to take part in the annual Cookham Regatta – which was filmed by a BBC camera crew.
More than 300 budding boaters of all ages battled it out in more than 40 races in a range of craft ranging from canoe cats to dragon boats.
Mixed teams of 20 also took part in the Cookham Challenge, combining boat races with land-based tug of war, volleyball and the unique 'funny walk', where teams must have their feet strapped to two pieces of wood and march in time to the finishing line.
Lovers of classic cars were in their element as more than 60 vintage cars and motorcycles adorned the banks of the Thames at Marsh Meadows.
While countless stalls, sales, games, live musical performances, refreshments and children's activities entertained the hundreds of land-bound spectators.
The event was organised by the Rotary Clubs of Cookham Bridge and Marlow Thames, who hope the event will raise thousands of pounds for charity.
Peter Osbourn from the Cookham Bridge Rotary Club said: “It has been a great day and I knew it would be a great day from the start because the weather is on our side.
“It has been a good turn out, everyone has enjoyed themselves and we hope to have raised lots of money for charity.
“We support lots of charities both locally and on a bigger scale. This year we are particularly keen to push the ShelterBox charity.
“We raised money for the charity last year following the Haiti earthquake disaster and sent out aid tents and boxes which helped about 35,000 people, we hope to do the same for the people in Pakistan.”
The event, which dates back to the 1800s, was filmed by the BBC for an upcoming documentary on the work of Cookham artist Stanley Spencer and his famous painting, Christ Preaching at Cookham Regatta.
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