Stourport Regatta ... 1864

The lovers of boating had a famous day's amusement at Stourport on Tuesday, when there was an inaugeration of what will in all probability, be an annual regatta. The banks of the fair Sabrina never looked so gay for many a day before, for above and below the bridge crowds of well dressed folks watched with much interest the contests as they took place for the various prizes offered for competition. The question had long been asked why Stourport could not have a regatta holiday once a year as well as the other towns which border on the Severn. Tewkesbury, which set the example, has become an established institution; Evesham stands forward as a fair rival, and Bewdley is ambitious, and rightly so, of obtaining herself a place in the ranks of those whose aim is the promotion of this truly national sport.

Why then should not the lovers of aquatics in Stourport, with their fine sheet of water, step forward and try to emulate their neighbours on the Severn? Where is there a fairer spot or a breadth of water more suited for a regatta? With these adjuncta, then there remained but one desideratum- a spirit of energy amongst the inhabitants. Happlily that was soon shown. We believe we are right in assigning the credit of inaugerating the holiday in the first place to Mr Alfred Baldwin, the hon. secretary, and next to an influential committee, comprising Messrs. J.C.Rogers, J.Stringer, S.Baldwin, E.Baldwin and C.Harrison. These gentlemen left no stone unturned in their endeavor to promote the regatta, and to show such sport as would be worthy of the locality. A fund of nearly £80 was raised by subscription; handsome sums were offered as prizes, open to all England, and invitations were sent to many of the best rowing clubs of the day, as well as to their neighbours at Worcester, Tewkesbury, Evesham, Bewdley and elsewhere.

The response was a ready one, and on Tuesday the regatta came off, with unexpected eclat, and terminated as successfully as any attempt possibly could do. The course marked out was from the Redstone Rock, below bridge, to a meadow kindly lent by Mr C.T.Farley, some 450 yards above the bridge, making a distance of about a mile and a quarter, and with a straight row in. A portion of the meadow was enclosed for the accomodation of the committee and those of the general public who chose to pay a nominal entrance fee and be select; and there was a brass band from Bridgnorth, which enlivened the company during the intervals between the races. The crews who contested for various prizes will be best seen from the subjoined return of the sport.
Mr Stephen Salter of Oxford, was umpire and judge, and habited in the scarlet coat and badge of The Royal Thames National Regatta, and mounted on a steed, he was quite a conspicuous object as he galloped along the banks of the river to see the starting and ending of each race.

The weather was all that could be desired for the fete. The tradesmen of Stourport closed their shops at noon, and the town wore quite a holiday appearance.
As we have said, the river's banks were greatly crowded, and amongst those who watched the races were Sir T.E.Winnington, Bart., MP, Mr Walter Chamberlain Hemming, Rev T.Baker, Captains Saunders, Bury, Harrison, Lieut. Danks, Mr C.T.Farley, Mr Dixon, Mr Hancock (Wolverley), Mr J.W.Craven, Messrs. A.Talbot, T.Baldwin, Enoch Baldwin, J.Lowe (Astley), J.C.Rogers, J.Rogers, S.Lamb, G.Brown, T.M.Warden, T.H.Hillman (Hillhampton), J.Skett (Hundred House), H.H.Griffin, J.Blundell, son and jun., C.Blundell, T. and J.Worth, T.F.Cook, T.H.Davis (Orlston), J.Rogers (Martley), E.R.Lewty, F.D.Zachary, H.Lingen, J.Head, J.Stringer, T.Wheeldon, Yeates, Rhodes, Saunders and co.

The regatta commenced at 11 a.m. with the
Ladies Plate - for a silver goblet, value a guinea.
First Heat: W.Ross, Cardiff, bt I.G.Jullen,Worcester. A good start was effected, and a close race ensued. Ross ultimately winning by a length and a half.
Second Heat: G.P.Cecil, West London Rowing Club, bt F.Moore, Hanley Cause.
Town Plate - for 4 five guinea cups, with a prize value 3 sov's for the coxswain.
First Heat: Cardiff Amateur Rowing Club bt Evesham Rowing Club bt Stourport Club - J.Baldwin 1, W.Jennings 2, Edwin Wheriden 3, W.Preece, stroke: T.Baldwin, coxswain. The Cardiff crew had the best station, and went on with a slight lead, and a good race ensued between them and Evesham, but the latter soon gave way and Cardiff finished two lengths in advance, Stourport gave up.
Second Heat: West London Rowing Club bt Mr Shoolbred's Crew - Fred Shoolbred 1, Robert Morson 2, Alfred Shoolbred 3, Walter Shoolbred, stroke: R.Hemmistown, coxswain.