Bewdley Regatta ... 1891

Hearty congratulations must be offered to the officers and members of the Bewdley Rowing Club upon the distinct success achieved on Monday last, when the Regatta and Athletic Sports were held. In former years excellent aquatic contests took place on the Severn, between the Bewdley Bridge and Dowles, but the old club ceased to exist, and the regatta fell out of the annual attractions of the district. A year or two ago the club was re-established on a more popular and permanent basis, and very soon two or three excellent crews were formed, who were able to hold their own with older and more experienced crews on the Severn and elsewhere, and last year the regatta and athletic sports were revived, securing a large share of public patronage. Nominally the club is a Bewdley one, but it receives its main support from gentlemen who are closely identified with the commercial interests of Kidderminster, so that the carpet borough can take some share in the success achieved. The bulk of the large body of spectators present on Monday came from the Kidderminster district and indeed the whole of the contests took place within the Foreign of Kidderminster, the meadows being on the Wribbenhall side of the river. No more delightful spot could be selected for al freece entertainments. The scenery of the whole district is charming, and the course, while not sufficiently straight to allow the boats to be seen from start to finish, is diversified enough to make the scene very interesting. The water on Monday was rather low and the committee were greatly exercised about the undergrowths in the river, which this year seem thicker and more plentiful than ever. Men were engaged for some days clearing these causes of entanglement to the boatmen, so as to make the course safe and reliable for swift rowing.

The weather throughout the day was fine, although heavy clouds hung about, threatening many times to burst and discharge their watery contents upon the assembled multitude. There was an absence of bright sunshine, but the air was warm, and the day was altogether most enjoyable. As we have already said, there was a large number of spectators, and no doubt a substantial surplus will be handed over to the treasureer of the club, which will go a long way towards covering the heavy expenditure incurred in building up and fully equipping the resuscitated club. The contests on both land and water were excellent. The programme had been prepared with care, and was carried out with efficiency and completeness. The local senior crew have once more proved their superiority over all other Severn crews by their brilliant performance, which secured for them the Town Plate.True, the contest was a very limited one; but the men have tried their strength this season with the finest crews in the Midlands, and they no doubt stand third in order of merit, the Royal Chester and the Burton crews being in the first rank. The local juniors showed capital form in the struggle for the Tradesmen's Plate, and only lost the honours in the last part of an exceedingly fast race. In the Ladies' Plate contest, too, the local maidens gave a splendid exhibitions of endurance. The greatest interest centered in the struggle between the Stourport and Bewdley crews, and both worked admirably; while in the final the Bridgnorth men were able to secure the prize. Worcester had a look in with the senior sculls, Ross, a well known competitor, bearing down Denison, who, however, made a capital effort to win, while Stourport shared in the honours of the day, the junior sculling prize being carried off by Bayliss. It is certainly surprising that the Stourport people cannot revive their regatta. In former years very successful meetings were held there. The club is a strong one, with some capital oarsmen, and they possess a course second to none on the beautiful Sabrina. A number of attractions were provided on the grounds. The Band of the first V. B. Worcestershire Regiment, under the leadership of Mr A. W. Taylor, and the Bewdley Brass and Reed Band, Mr A. G. Jeffrey conductor, were in attendance. Refreshments were supplied by Mr Harry Starkey of the Old Pack Horse, and Messrs. Lane and Co., of Kidderminster and Bewdley.
The officials during the day were, J. Bury, president; R. H. Whitcombe, jun., captain; R. Brinton, deputy captain. Regatta: Starters, T. Webster, T. B. Webb; umpires, Captain Comber, T. E. Baker, F. L. Blundell, G. Green: judges, W. C. Green, R. M. Ransom, F. Threlfall, B. Eck. Athletics: Starter, F. Hughes; handicapper, D. Wheelwright; handicapper for local events, referee and timekeeper, J. Pritchard; judges, E. W. Hopewell, T. R. Baker, C. Poutney, J. A. Bridges, G. Fletcher. Stewards, Rev. H. Wilson, Messrs. T. D. Potter, J. Attwood, R. W. Landon, F. Giles, A. W. Plant, W. Petley, N. Brinton, W. H. Chellingworth, T. Betts, W. Killingbeck, A. Longbottom, D. Mackay, H. Cornish, W. R. Nash, C. N. Bass, A. Hodgson, T. Hopkins, T. C. Dalley, C. A. C. Batten, S. Hemingway. Hon. Secs.: W. H. Vickrage, H. C. Haynes, W. Denison.

Tradesmen's Plate, value £15, for 4-oared clinker built boats. For juniors who have never formed part of a crew which has won a prize above the value of £15. Distance three-quarters of a mile.

Ladies Plate, value £10 with coxswain's prize, for four-oared clinker boats. Open to those who have never won a race previous to July 1st 1891. Distance three-quarters of a mile.
Third Heat: Stourport Institute Boat Club - W. A. Baylis bow, S. M. Glover 2, D. T. Allum 3, T. Handley stroke, H. Jones cox. - r.o.
Fourth Heat: Bewdley RC bt Stourport Institute BC - 2. This was a severely contested race, They pulled bow and bow during the greater part of the course, and the local men won by a short quarter of a length. Both crews were loudly cheered.

Junior Sculling Prize, value 5 guineas (presented by Mr A. Baldwin J.P.), to be rowed in clinker built boats. Open to those who have never won a sculling prize. Distance three-quarters of a mile.
First Heat: V. Fisher - (Stourport Institute Boat Club) bt A. J. Weldis (Worcester RC) - 2. A capital race, the men kept well together nearly the whole course, and Fisher won by a length.
Second Heat: W. A. Baylis - (Stourport Institute BC) - r.o.; H. Webster - (Bewdley RC) - scratched
Fourth Heat: Fisher bt Talbot. Fisher lead, when Talbot capsized just below the brickworks.
Fifth Heat: W. A. Baylis (Stourport) - r.o.
Final Heat: Baylis bt Fisher - 2. Baylis led all the way and came home two lengths easily.