12:35PM, Wednesday 10 August 2016
Revellers and racers took advantage of the good weekend weather to participate in the annual Wargrave and Shiplake Regatta.
Taking place on Friday and Saturday, the regatta saw dinghies, canoes and gondolas race across a stretch of the Thames next to the Wargrave Boat Club.
The 149th event saw races take place every few minutes, with families gathered on the banks on either side to watch.
There were also a range of activities on the Shiplake side, including a bouncy castle.
The regatta is organised by volunteers and supported by nearby businesses.
A ferry from the St George and Dragon pub, in High Street, transported residents on the Wargrave side across the river throughout the day.
One of the organisers, Gill van Zwanenberg, said: “We try to make it fun. We race every few minutes, rather than having big gaps between them.”
A total of 361 races took place over the two days and the regatta concluded with fireworks on Saturday night.
David Hancock, one of the race umpires, said: “It is fantastic. It is the best regatta of the year.”
He said the event relied on volunteers, with some taking a day off work on the Friday to help.
That included the man steering his umpire’s boat, Edward Norris.
Edward said: “Without volunteers it just wouldn’t happen.”
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