Regatta History
There has been an annual regatta held at Sunbury on Thames since 1876 until the present day with the exception of the years 1878 and 1879, for which no press reports have been found. In 1896 the regatta was abandoned due to a difference of opinion amongst the committee and during the two World Wars no regattas were held. It is generally accepted that the first occasion in which amateurs took part was in 1877.
The Early Days
In the early days of the regatta many of the races were for Watermen, professional boatmen.
Posters dated 1889 featured a first prize of £5 and a silver medal in the Single Punting event. Imagine what £5 could have bought in those days. In an illustrated catalogue of the times, from Messrs. Richard & John Slack of the Strand, a complete collection of utensils required in the kitchen for a middle class family was offered at £8 11s 1d. A live in butler was paid between £20 and £30 per year. The earliest poster still in the possession of the Regatta Committee is that of Thursday 23 August 1883 priced at 6d (2.5p) and admission to the lawn was Five Shillings (25p) a lot of money for an under housemaid on £1 per month. The distinction in those days, between Professional and Amateur competitors was highlighted in the rules published in that programme. ‘The Committee reserves to themselves the right to refuse any entry, and in case any question should arise, decide if any intending Competitor is entitled to row as an amateur or as a professional, and their decision shall be absolutely final.’
Fancy Dress
Fancy dress is now a well established addition to the day, with most Dongola crews deciding to dress up in some way.
Military Bands
Military bands such as the Prince of Wales’ Royal Lancers, Her Majesty’s Scots Guards and the 3rd Middlesex Artillery Brigade entertained spectators at those early regattas. How would the jazz band of today’s regattas have gone down with those with a keen ear for the Galop, Quadrille and Polka? Many of the crowds attending those late 19th century regattas would have come down for the day from London the 1883 programme announced that the last train for Waterloo leaves Sunbury Station at 10.51pm.
...no more pleasant aquatic fixture...
The Sunbury Amateur Regatta was reported widely in the London sporting papers. The Sportsman dated August 1889 reported: “Given fine weather, there is no more pleasant aquatic fixture on the Thames than the popular gathering annually held over the charming stretch of water by Sunbury Lock, and as yesterday the elements proved most propitious, it goes without saying that the reunion, rightly termed a miniature Henley, was beyond all question a pronounced success in every sense of the word.
The surroundings were brilliantly fine up to luncheon hour, and although somewhat dull subsequently, the sun soon asserted its power again, and with a big attendance and gay colours both ashore and afloat, the scene was a particularly pretty one towards the end of the afternoon.”
Races
Races in those early days included Punting, Sculling and Canoe Racing; Swimming, Water Jousting and Walking the Greasy Pole were other keenly contested events. The Amateur Punting Champion ship was won by W H Grenfell (Lord Desborough) in 1889, whilst C E Wynn Johnson from Twickenham Rowing Club, won the Amateur Sculls. In those days the course for all rowing races was from the Water Works up stream to finish opposite St. Mary’s Church.
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