Forum Topic

BOAT RACE CARNIVAL DAY

Having lived in Hammersmith for 30 years I've often thought Boat Race Day was almost ignored by the locals. This may be because the old council was not interested but I wonder if the new one could liven it up a little? Maybe some business sponsors could be found to put on an all day event so that locals and visitors had some reason to hang around after the race. It should be good fun!

Peter Bailey ● 6883d5 Comments

Head of the River is also a great race to watch.  Stand on Barnes Bridge or Hammersmith Bridge and watch the 8's whizz through below you.  Good atmosphere on the banks, but nothing like the crowd at the Boat Race.

Caroline MacMillan ● 6881d

My father was an oar at University College in 1908, his brother at Christchurch.  We lived in Richmond in the 50s and went en masse to the finishing post to cheer the dark blues home each year, but I must say the TV today is so much better if you are interested in the race, and I think a lot of the excitement has perhaps gone out of the event as a result.  I would like to see it become "The University Boatrace" open to all universities in a  knockout competition.

William Hosking ● 6881d

I never ever went to see the boat race but my Dad was a greengrocer with a horse and cart and every year he decorated the horse's harness with gorgeous big dark blue rosettes. Great fun.

Audrey Walton ● 6882d

Caroline,It was one of the major day's out for our family many many years ago.  We only ever saw the boats whiz by Duke's Meadow, but we were dressed in our Sunday best, wearing our Cambridge and Oxford rosettes - Dad and sister for Oxford, Mum and me for Cambridge.We none of us ever saw the inside of a university, let alone the two hallowed halls of fame, but we cared not a jot!I seem to remember a sort of carnival atmosphere, but, whatever, we just loved Boat Race Day, and now my sister and I are well past our sell-by dates but we always telephone one another before and after the race!As you said, "Great fun!"

Ann S. Allridge ● 6883d

For the last few years we have had friends round for a meal and wandered down to the river to watch the boats roar by (to big cheers from ourselves) and then home again for more food and drink.  Great fun.  And its amazing how few people have ever seen it live.  I take a radio so once they have whizzed by we can hear who wins.  It does get very crowded by the Dove and along to the Old Ship.

Caroline MacMillan ● 6883d