Bedford Regatta - Programme

O R O N A T I O N

REGATTA B E D F O R D C

WEEKEND

157th Regatta -7th May 2023

OFFICIAL PROGRAMME

Welcome………..

A very warm welcome to the 157th Bedford Amateur Regatta. This weekend we celebrate the crowning of a new monarch, King Charles III, the seventh since the regatta was founded in 1853. We will be presenting a special commemoration pewter tankard for each event winner, which we hope will provide a special memento of the day.

Any event of this size requires a dedicated team of organisers. I would particularly like to thank the Executive Committee who willingly give up many hours of their personal time to ensure that the event runs efficiently and smoothly. Much of the helpers' team joins us again today, and I would like to thank them on behalf of the Executive Committee for their continued support and enthusiasm. We also welcome a number of Sponsors and Members whose help and financial support is invaluable.

I’d particularly like to welcome our new sponsor Handelsbanken, who can be found in the enclosure – please do go over and say hello.

If you have a few spare moments during the day please have a look at the display of trophies in the enclosure, which highlight some of the history of the Regatta going back many years.

We are again fortunate to have been granted by the Borough Council the use of Mill Meadows for the Regatta enclosure, Longholme Island for trailer parking and Everards meadow for general parking. I would urge competitors to treat the superb environment offered by Bedford’s riverside with respect and care if we are to avoid future restrictions on use of the land.

For those of you new to the sport we’ve included in the programme a ‘guide to rowing’, which we hope will de-mystify some of the terminology used in the sport.

If you would like to relive last year’s event, we have a short video with some of the best racing of the day – which can be found HERE. (Sorry for the adverts!)

Finally, I would like to wish all competitors, sponsors, umpires, marshals and helpers a successful and enjoyable day of racing.

Hugh Maltby Honorary Secretary

Bedford Regatta details and results can now be found online www.bedfordregatta.co.uk

Our long history……………..

Bedford Regatta Committee and Officials

Honorary Vice Presidents: I.C. Codrington, G. Dods, C. Barcock

Chairman of the Executive Committee: G.W. Hammond

Honorary Secretary: H.A.J. Maltby

Honorary Assistant Secretaries: D. Pinkney, D. Vincent

Honorary Entries Secretary: Mrs. R.E. Maltby

Honorary Treasurer: I. Taylor

Data Manager: W.A.H. Everitt

Safety Adviser: S. White

Welfare Co-ordinator: Mrs J Williams

Membership Secretary: D. Dixon

Operations Manager: I. Higgins

Marshals and Helpers Co-ordinator: M. Redman

Committee Members: M. Bavington, P. Mulkerrins, Dr. W.G. Suthers. Ms J Bruce, S Costello.

Race Committee: S. White (Chair), Starter. Co-Ordinating Umpire: G.W. Hammond, G Dods, I Donald

Umpires

John Bartram, Mike Biggs, Chris Callow, Ron Collins, Gavin Dods, Ian Donald, Andrew Ellison, Colin Fletcher, Barbara Fletcher, Tony Harris, Matthew Holland, Mark Holmes, Anne Hignell, Mill Key, Helen Knowles, Chris Newland, Chris Parkhouse, Poppers Popple, David Porter, Mark Redman, Fred Shearer, Lianne Stanford, Lydia Swift, Simon White, Naz Yeni.

Marshals and Helpers

Ali Gordon, Amber Dorkin, Andrei Lussmann, Andrew Thomson, Andrew Vouden, Andrew Wallington, Andy Chillingsworth, Anna Akerman, Billy Anne Leach, Brian Thompson, Caroline May, Chris Myers, Chris Wisbey, Claire Dickson, Clive Thompson, Conor Mullooly, David Glasspool, David Gowing, David Johnson, David Osgood, David Rainbow, Dom Hawes, Duncan Simms, Edward Snook, Emma Lyon, Emma Reader, Gavin Dods, Georgina Pepper, Harj Lall, Hugo Van Kempen, Ian Darnell, James Rankin, Jason Gordon, Jessica Copeland, John Jackson, Karen Fulford, Kate Griffiths, Katie Guest, Lisa Thomson, Liz Appleton, Louise Whitcombe, Mark Appleton, Mark Fulford, Mark Lewis, Mark Redman, Martin Fraser, Maya Makarewiz, Michele Fisher, Mike Canning, Millie Wardley, Mirjam Ferkenius, Niamh McBride, Nick Robins, Nick Toone, Nigel Brewer, Nigel Pollard, Pernille Blake, Peter Ackroyd, Philip Hine, Rachel Coowar, Sam Deane, Shirl Musselle, Silke Brittain, Simon Clark, Simon Lamb, Stephen Moon, Steve Crowther, Steven Goddard, Sue Lamb, Szelim Simandi, Tammy, Tim Giles, Tim Northey, Toby Chinn, Trevor Gentry, Vince Hayes, Rebecca Digby-Ince, Dave Pendall, Ali C.

Catering & Bar: Bedford Rowing Club, Friends of Bedford School Boat Club.

Enclosure Entrance

Parents/Friends of Bedford Modern School

Andrew Dooley, Simon Brock, Alison Ogborne, Christine Boucheron-Thomas, Helen Kirby, Jonathan Strutt, Dan Elias, Paul Thomas, Jo Kew, Bron Webster, Paul & Marenza Douglas, Nicola Gotting, Anna Smith, Matt Lonsdale & Tim Braybrook, Sashidhar Baccu, Steven Singh, Elizabeth Nyame, Joseph Omani-Mensah

Control Tent and Registration

Rachel Maltby, Nicky Durrant, Irina Ermakova, Sarah Reynolds, Hazel Smith, Nicky Hele, Sara Reay, Dawn Allingham, Silvia Arpano, Rebecca Digby-Ince, Kate Griffiths.

Regatta Control

George Hammond, Hugh Maltby, David Pinkney, Dominic Vincent, Sean Costello

Regatta Software

Will Everitt

Commentary

Harry Fowler, Haydn Bass, Martin Banham-Hall, David Glasspool, John Mingay

Timing and Results

George French, Steve Sangster, Jo Moss, Bedford Rowing Club Juniors, Star Club Juniors

Ceremonial

Ian Taylor, Ivan Higgins

Safety Boats

Mike Baker, Lynda Higgins, Mark Wetherbed, Lisa Bassett, Gabby Legate, Steve Reece, Dave Pendall, Ron Collins

Stakeboats

Bedford Girls School, Bedford School, Bedford Modern School, Bedford Rowing Club, Star Club

Car and Trailer Parking

Eamon O'Donovan, John Hele, Jeremy Markham, Emma James

Umpires and Helpers Co-Ordinators

Simon White, Mark Redman, Ian Donald

Catering

Bedford Rowing Club and the Friends of Bedford School Boat Club

First Aid

Ambulance Response Services Ltd

Regatta Members

Regatta Information

Regatta Enclosure

Entrance to the enclosure is £2.

Facilities include a licensed bar, light refreshments, BBQ and toilets.

Location: what3words: //desk.traded.spill

Online racing timetable of events

Can be found

Online Event spider

Can be found

Online Regatta Safety Plan

Can be found

The John Bunyan Community Boat

If you have some spare time between races why not enjoy a short river cruise on the lower river.

The John Bunyan Community Boat is operated on behalf of the Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust. All funds and donations raised from the John Bunyan Community Boat go towards the development of a 16 miles (26Km) new waterway park, which will link the River Great Ouse in Bedford to the Grand Union Canal in Milton Keynes. The boat is run entirely by volunteers and is open to everyone.

Cruises will take place from 10.30am onwards on the half hour.

To

find out more about the John Bunyan Community Boat, click: HERE

A guide to racing

Types of boat, rowing and sculling

Seating positions in a boat

Stern pair

The "stroke" is the rower closest to the stern of the boat. Everyone else follows the stroke's timing - placing their blades in and out of the water at the same time as stroke. The stroke can communicate with the coxswain (when in a stern coxed boat) to give feedback on how the boat feels. During a race, it is the stroke's responsibility to establish the crew's rate (number of strokes per minute) and rhythm. (In coxed boats, the coxswain will assist the stroke in establishing the rate).

Because of the great responsibilities, the rower in the stroke seat will usually be one of the most technically sound members of the boat. The next rower ('seven' in an eight) sits directly behind stroke and is typically both fit and skilled: this rower acts as a buffer between the stroke and the rest of the crew. They closely follow the rhythm set by the stroke and help transmit this rhythm to the rest of the boat, and particularly to the rowers rowing on the same side as seven, since rowers tend to look at the blades on their side of the boat to check their timing. If the stroke man increases or decreases the stroke rate it is essential that seven follows this change so that it is translated to the rest of the crew. Number seven usually watches the back of number 8 so that they can time when to move up the slide and copy their rhythm.

Middle four

The middle rowers of a crew (numbers 2 and 3 in a four, and 3, 4, 5 and 6 in an eight) are normally the most powerful and heaviest rowers, colloquially known as the Fuel Tank, Engine Room or Power House! The boat pitches less in the middle, and the rowers there have less effect on these movements, being closer to the centre of mass and centre of buoyancy. Therefore the rowers in the middle of the boat do not have to be as technically sound or reactive to the movements of the boat, and can focus more on pulling as hard as they can. It is common practice among crews to put the most technically proficient rowers at the bow and stern and the physically strongest and heaviest rowers in the centre.

Bow pair

The rower closest to the bow of the boat, is usually called either "bow" or the "bowman". In coxless boats, the bowman is often responsible for giving calls to the crew. The bow pair of bow and "two", who are the two rowers closest to the boat's bow, are more responsible for the stability and the direction of the boat than any other pair of rowers, and are often very technical rowers. The bow of a stern-coxed boat is subject to the greatest amount of pitching, requiring the bow pair to be adaptable and quick in their movements.

Boats that are bow-coxed rely on communication between the bowman and the cox - as the cox cannot see boats coming up from behind. Bowmen tend to be the smallest of the rowers in the boat.

Steering

In coxless pairs, quadruple sculls and coxless fours, one of the rowers will be designated to steer. They will control the rudder using lines attached to the toe of one shoe, which pivots around the ball of the foot. The rower who steers is chosen according to experience and the nature of the course on which the boat is rowing: bow has a clear view ahead when looking over one's shoulder, whereas stroke may be able to steer well on a straight course by pointing the stern at a reference point. A rower steering in the middle of a four or quad is not uncommon, since bow and stroke have other duties already.

Coxes

The role of a coxswain is to:

· Steer the boat;

· Provide motivation and encouragement to the crew;

· Inform the crew of where they are in relation to other crews and the finish line; Make any necessary race tactic calls.

A boat without a cox is known as a coxless or 'straight' boat. While coxless pairs and fours are commonplace, because of the speed and lack of manoeuvrability eights always have a cox. Some boats are bow-coxed or ‘bowloaders with the coxswain lying in the bow behind the bowman rather than stern-coxed or 'sternloader', with the coxswain sitting in the stern opposite the Stroke. Bowloader eights are rare due to the length of the boat, this would make it difficult for the cox to know where the stern is.

Coxswains used to communicate to the crew by shouting or through a megaphone that was strapped to their head. However, since the late 1970s a "cox box" or speaker and microphone system has enabled even the bowman to hear the coxswain's commands. Such a system is particularly important in bowloaders as the coxswain is facing away from the crew, making it hard for the crew to hear the coxwain’s commands unaided.

Boat rigging

Traditionally a boat is organized so that alternate rowers row on port and starboard (or strokeside and bowside), with stroke on port side (having their blade to their own right) (strokeside). This is sometimes reversed, so that stroke is on the other side (having their blade to their own left); such a boat is usually described as 'bow rigged'. This is often on the basis of the abilities of the available personnel, to allow putting an experienced starboard side (bowside) rower in the stroke seat, for example. The eight in the photograph at the top of this article is bow rigged.

There are other options, and in particular in fours the middle pair may row on the same side: this arrangement means that there is less yawing of the boat through the water throughout the course of the stroke, making it more efficient. The two rowers in the middle, rowing in a 'tandem', need to be well matched and synchronised to make this work (i.e. avoid clashing blades), and the bow person, rowing with a significant gap between them and stroke on their side of the boat, also needs to be able to adapt to the larger space in front of them. Recently around half of finalists in World Cup and World Championship regattas have been rigged with a tandem middle pair, though it is less common at lower levels of competition. Occasionally eights are rigged with one or more tandems: several rigs are possible.

The gate holds your blade in place while you row.

The rigger is what supports your blade and provides a point for it to pivot on.

The footplate has the shoes on. It's adjustable for rowers of different heights.

The slide is the bit the seat moves back and forth on. It is also adjustable (like the footplate).

Other terms

‘Stroke side’ is usually on the left or port side of the boat looking toward the bow; so called after the person nearest the stern of the boat who sets the timing of the ‘stroke’ and whose oar is usually rigged on that side.

Alternate rigging of oars in sweep-oared boats means that the person in the ‘bow’ seat usually rows on the other side of the boat. So ‘bowside’ is usually on the right or starboard side.

Types of races

A head race is a time trial competition typically held in the autumn and spring seasons. Rowers race against the clock where the crew or rower completing the course in the shortest time in their age, ability and boat-class category is deemed the winner. In England the largest head race is known as the “Head of the River Race”, which is run annually in March.

Most races that are held in the summer feature side by side racing also called a regatta; all the boats start at the same time from a stationary position and the winner is the boat that crosses the finish line first. The number of boats in a race typically varies between two (which is sometimes referred to as a dual race) to six, but any number of boats can start together if the course is wide enough. Other than Bedford Amateur Regatta the best known Regatta is run each year and is known as Henley Royal Regatta

Weight classes

In most levels of rowing there are different weight classes – typically "open" (or referred to as "heavyweight") and lightweight.

Heavyweight

Heavyweight rowers of both sexes tend to be very tall, broad-shouldered, have long arms and legs as well as tremendous cardiovascular capacity and very low body fat ratios. Olympic or International level heavyweight male oarsmen are typically anywhere between 6'3" and 6'9" (190 cm to 206 cm) tall with most being around 6'6" (198 cm) and weighing approximately 225 lb (102 kg) with about 6 to 7% body fat.

Heavyweight women are slightly shorter at around 6'1" (186 cm) and lighter than their male counterparts.

Lightweight

Rowing has a special weight category called lightweight (Lwt for short). According to FISA, this weight category was introduced "to encourage more universality in the sport especially among nations with less statuesque people". The first lightweight events were held at the World Championships in 1974 for men and 1985 for women. Lightweight rowing was added to the Olympics in 1996.

At international level the limits are:

- Men: Crew average 70 kg (154 lb) – no rower over 72.5 kg (160 lb)

- Women: Crew average 57 kilograms (125 lb) – no rower over 59 kg (130 lb)

Adaptive

Adaptive rowing is a special category of races for those with physical disabilities. Under FISA rules there are 5 boat classes for adaptive rowers; mixed (2 men and 2 women plus cox) LTA (Legs, Trunk, Arms), mixed intellectual disability (2 men and 2 women plus cox) LTA (Legs, Trunk, Arms), mixed (1 man and 1 woman) TA (Trunk and Arms), and men's and women's AS (Arms and Shoulders). Events are held at the World Rowing Championships and were also held at the 2008 Summer Paralympics.

Hospitality @ Bedford’s Rowing Clubs

Bedford Rowing Club has a fully licensed bar, lounge area and balcony overlooking the river and bridge making it the ideal venue to hire.

We welcome both members and non-members to enjoy our hospitality.

Bedford Rowing Club

A warm welcome awaits at Coffee at Star, based at The Star Rowing Club. Indoor & outside seating with views of the river (a few steps from Riverside North/Vue).

Brunch, puddings, cakes, bar & coffee. From the people who brought you the Puddin Club.

Star Club

A Brief History of the Regatta

When did it start?

There had been throughout the 1840’s signs of interest in Bedford rowing, and races had been arranged, but the first “official” Bedford Regatta took place on Thursday, 25th August, 1853, and notwithstanding the bad weather a good crowd lined the banks. The regatta comprised eight events, one of them being a four oared race and the others for pairs, sculls and rhandans (a pair of oars and a pair of sculls). The course for the sculling and pair-oared aces was from Layton’s Boathouse at the corner of Newnham Road, round the island which was in midstream some twenty yards below the Hitchin Railway Bridge, and back. (The island disappeared many years ago.). The other races were rowed from “Paradise” (Cauldwell House) to Laytons’ Boathouse. From a contemporary account of the first Regatta it appears that the winner of the sculling event was disqualified on the ground that he “caught hold of the boats”, and the race was awarded to his opponent.

There had been throughout the 1840’s signs of interest in Bedford rowing, and races had been arranged, but the first “official” Bedford Regatta took place on Thursday, 25th August, 1853, and not withstanding the bad weather a good crowd lined the banks. The regatta comprised eight events, one of them being a four oared race and the others for pairs, sculls and rhandans (a pair of oars and a pair of sculls). The course for the sculling and pair-oared aces was from Layton’s Boathouse at the corner of Newnham Road, round the island which was in midstream some twenty yards below the Hitchin Railway Bridge, and back. (The island, disappeared many years ago.). The other races were rowed from “Paradise” (Cauldwell House) to Laytons’ Boathouse. From a contemporary account of the first Regatta it appears that the winner of the sculling event was disqualified on the ground that he “caught hold of the boats”, and the race was awarded to his opponent.

A Social Event

Bedford made a gala day of this first Regatta. In Kingston’s Close (the meadow opposite Star Club) a big marquee was under management of Mr. Foster of the “Hop Pole” in Caudwell Street, and here many hundreds of people “dropped in” between races to refresh themselves. On the wharf opposite, the ladies sat down to tea; after which, the fiddles struck up and dancing went on far into the night. Earlier in the day St. Paul’s bells rang out, and the Bedford Brass Band, played a lively march along the High Street. During the afternoon the band occupied a barge on the river where “its enlivening music proved an agreeable diversion from the dullness of the proceedings”!

At nine o’clock the crews dined heartily at the “Rose Inn”; and on the following night the performances at the Bedford Theatre were under the patronage of the Regatta Committee.

The first eight Regattas seem to have been purely local affairs in which the prizes were awarded in money, but in 1860 open races for fours, pairs and sculls were incorporated in the programme, and thereafter silver cups of declared values were substituted for the money awards.

The Regatta of 1913, was a memorable one. The Bedfordshire Times summed up proceedings by describing the luncheon in the punts inside the booms as proceeding to the “merry popping of champagne corks…..and later there were strawberries and cream”.

The Committee

The Committee was first established in the Town by those interested in rowing, as might be expected. In 1860, the Committee was greatly enlarged, and for some years from 1862 the names of His Grace the Duke of Manchester, the Rt. Hon. Earl Cowper, the Rt. Hon. Lord Wensleydale and other local dignitaries appeared on the programme as Patrons of the Regatta, and some few years later Earl Cowper accepted the office of President, an office which he filled until his death in 1905. In 1870 and for some years afterwards the Presidents of the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Clubs were members, as was the Mayor of Bedford who acted as Chairman. Today the Regatta is organised by a Committee made up of representatives from the local rowing clubs of the town.

The Draw

The Regatta Draw was once a social event in itself in the days before computers. The Regatta Committee would meet the weekend before the Regatta to work out the racing programme using a card system, from which the programme was taken.

Today the draw is fully automated taking a few seconds to work out taking into consideration doubling-up, boat sharing and two-minute intervals

The Events and Cups

The first eight Regattas seem to have been purely local affairs in which the prizes were awarded in money, but in 1860 open races for fours, pairs and sculls were incorporated in the programme, and thenceforward silver cups of declared values were substituted for the money awards.

In 1863, two Challenge Cups were offered, both “open to the Ouse”, one for sculls and the other for fours. The Sculling Cup having been won in 1863, 64 and 65 by Mr Harry Thody of Bedford Rowing Club (in later life, Chief Constable of Bedford), became his absolute property. The Fours Cup having been won in 1863 and 1864 by Bedford Rowing Club passed from the programme in 1865.

In 1868 a Public Schools Four-oared Race was introduced but only two crews entered, with Derby Grammer School beating Bedford School by two feet! The Public Schools race continued until 1883 when it was withdrawn owing to lack of entries.

In 1873 the Bedford Grand Challenge Cup was added to the prizes. The beautifully designed trophy was purchased by means of a public subscription to which the Duke of Bedford, the Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Clubs, and the Thames Rowing Club generously contributed. It is 21 inches high and its weight is 130oz of solid silver. The cup was designed by Mrs Gillons, wife of C.E.B. Gillons, a Bedford Modern School master, who for many years was the Hon. Secretary of the Regatta. In the 1873 Regatta, Thames Rowing Club beat Bedford School by nearly two lengths to become the first winners of the Grand Challenge Cup. Thames continued this run of form winning the cup on eight occasions up to 1897. After that year it was many years before they came back to Bedford. To bring some light relief into the programme of racing the Regatta Committee introduced events such as ladies’ and gentlemen’s double sculls and punting races. These proved very popular, especially as the contestants were usually well known in the social life of the town, but when the rowing entries increased, these events had to be reluctantly abandoned.

The first post World War 1 Regatta was held in 1919 with a single event for eights. It was called the “Public School Eights” and there was only one race, between Bedford School and Bedford Modern School. Bedford School who had reached the final of the Elsenham Cup at Henley, won a good race by just over a length.

In 1938, the entries were sixty; in 1939, there were forty, while this continued to grow to 167 in 1959. Today the event regularly attracts up to 350 entries which has to be pared back to 320 to accommodate racing between 8.30am and 7.30pm with some 300 races.

In the mid 1990’s the Committee took the decision to restrict the Regatta to purely eights and fours. This decision was mainly taken due to the demand for entries in these categories.

The Enclosure

The early Regattas did not enjoy the same promenade that we have today. The fun and festivity of the Regatta centred around the Swan Hotel and above the Bridge at what is now Star Club. A large marquee was erected for the purposes of the Regatta Committee, their wives, families and friends. Here, refreshments on a lavish scale were dispensed throughout the day. On the opposite side of the river, the townsfolk gathered to enjoy and celebrate the Regatta.

In 1904 the Regatta Committee obtained permission from the Bedford Corporation to enclose a portion of the Duckmill Meadows near the Locks for use of competitors and subscribers for the Regatta Fund, and permission has been annually renewed ever since. At the same time an enclosure for boats was made from the Locks to below the Suspension Bridge by means of booming some 12 ft. width of water along the south bank; this made it more comfortable for the family parties who spent the whole day in their boats and punts and also materially reduced the risk of accident. However, in the 1904 Regatta Bedford Rowing Club was robbed of victory in the final of the Grand Challenge Cup when they struck a family “tub” which had wandered onto the course.

Today the enclosure is positioned upstream of the Suspension Bridge and includes a tented area selling food and beverages for competitors and spectators alike. The facilities are run by the local rowing clubs with proceeds ploughed back into the clubs.

The Course

In 1854 the course was changed, the pairs and sculls being from Batt’s Ford (Star Club), round a buoy near the Locks and back, and the fours and rhandans from Mr. Pearse’s boathouse to the locks. It is probably true to say that in those days the rowing played second fiddle to the social aspects of the event as the Regatta for over two decades acted as the chief holiday of the year for Bedford.

From 1863 to 1885 the races were rowed over practically the same stretch of water as the present course but in a reverse direction – upstream. From 1886 the course was from the Caudwell Street Bridge (County Bridge) to the Overshot Island. In later years the winning post was changed to the Suspension Bridge, where it has remained ever since. During the late 80’s the course was shortened with the start being moved downstream from the County Bridge to Star Club making a straightened course. However, in the mid-nineties the start was once again returned to County Bridge where it remains today.

Competing Clubs

In 1861 London Rowing Club entered and won both the Open Fours and the Open Pairs, and from this time for many years the London and Thames Rowing Clubs figured constantly upon the programme. There came a time when the Tideway clubs ceased to visit Bedford and their place was taken by the many local clubs who still send their crews today.

Today the advent of multi-lane racing hasn’t helped this situation with Clubs such as London and Thames preferring to race at Dorney rather than Bedford. Having said that we have in the last few years welcomed back the University of London and Imperial College to the Regatta.

The Road to International Honours

Many Olympian, Boat Race and International oarsman have competed at the Regatta often in the Junior events before going on to represent their country.

Innovation at the Regatta

The 1933 Regatta was notable for the first demonstration of “syncopated rowing”, which was said to have much to recommend it. A trial match was rowed between a Bedford and Cambridge Crew and was won by the Cambridge Crew. In a four the cox sat in the middle of the boat, separating stroke and three and bow and two. Viewed from behind, the four oars striking the water in succession reminded one of a revolving watermill wheel. The successive striking was said to make for smooth running and better balance, by obviating the checks between the strokes.

Regatta Entries

In the 1955 Regatta Programme it was noted that entries had continued to grow since the ending of World War II. 1955 saw an entry of 39 eights, 48 fours, 4 pairs, 3 double sculls, 33 sculls competing – a total of 543 oarsmen and 83 coxes. Figures of the entries are available back to 1913. At that time there were no wight-oared events and the total entries in 1913 were 36 in all, and in 1914 24!. Entries in the inter-war year period ranged between 29 in 1920 to a record of 67 in 1937. The Senior VIIIs event was introduced in 1919, when two VIIIs competed. The maiden sculls were introduced in 1924, the coxless fours in 1932, the Junior VIIIs in 1934, and the double sculls in 1938. The number of VIIIs which ever compted prior to World War II was 10. After the war, entries immediately started to increaqse, being 60 in the immediate post-war year and rising to 102 in 1948. The following years saw a steady increase 135, 130, 139, 145, 133 and 148. Fast forward to 2014 the Regatta enjoyed an entry of circa 280 crews with 1,700 competitors.

Extract from Minutes of Bedford Regatta Committee – 30th May, 1876

Mr H Webber brought forward a proposition which was seconded by Capt GP Nash, “That clinkerbuilt boats be five streaks below the gunwale and open fore and aft”. After a discussion re steam launch, it was decided to nominate a small committee, viz. Mr Sargent, Nash and Webber, to make enquiries as to the cost of hire of boat if found suitable for use of umpires.

At the subsequent meeting on 20th June, 1876, there were present Mssrs Sarget, Thody, Bull, Webber, Piper, Glub and Gillons. Extract from the minutes: “The Committee who were appointed to see after the steam launch as to its being able to convey the Umpire near enough to judge the races reported that the steamer was not fast enough for that purpose”.

Other Interesting Facts

In July 1869, the Regatta was marred by a fatal accident which happened to a little girl named Ridge, daughter of the landlord of the Albion Inn in White Horse Street. The child ran in front of the gun with which the races were started just as it was being fired, and received such serious injuries to the upper part of her neck that she died soon after being taken to the hospital. The miniature cannon was at the time being looked after by Sgt. Hartley of the 82nd Regiment, who was in Bedford recruiting service. He was arrested shortly after the incidence and subsequently appeared before the Bedford magistrates. At the inquest it was stated that Hartley had been instructed to fire the shot by the official “gunner”, Sgt. Dyer, while the latter was absent. The jury returned a verdict of “accidental death”, and censured Dyer for delegating the duty of firing the cannon to another person. Sgt. Hartley, who was obviously traumatised by the turn of events and was discharged..

During the 100th Regatta the Bedford School 1st VIII achieved the rare feat in the Senior-Junior eights event of lowering the event record in all three rounds of the competition. The subsequent record stood for a number of years.

Watch a short video of Bedford Regatta, 110 years later in 2022 (courtesy of PL Piotrek)

Watch a short video of Bedford Regatta in 1912 (courtesy of Pathe)

Club Colours