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Thousands watch Dragon Boat race
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| Feel Good Fitness crew |
CROWDS gathered on the banks of the River Thames to watch Abingdon's annual charity Dragon Boat Race today.
Organisers were delighted by the sunshine, after wet weather hampered last year's event.
Fifteen teams battled it out on the River Thames throughout the day.
Darren Loxton, 32, captained the Feel Good Fitness crew, which won the first race of the day and triumphed in the final, clocking a time of 47 seconds over the 250m course.
He said: "This is the fourth year in a row we have competed and the nucleus of the team has remained pretty much the same.
"We don't have access to the boats, so it's literally a matter of rocking up each year.
"It's good fun - a great day out for everybody."
As well as the racing, there was plenty of other entertainment, including stalls, games and a bouncy castle.
The annual event is organised by Abingdon Vesper Rotary Club and over the past nine years has raised more than £250,000 for local and international charities.
Vice-president Richard Benton said: "It was superb - really, really hot, which brought people along - there must have been a few thousand. People said they had a great day and the racing was very exciting."
8:20pm Sunday 11th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Col, abingdon on 8:40am Mon 12 May 08
Really like the new location for the stalls etc, not so far to walk. Had a very good view of the finish line.
PHaB club will be taking a barge trip with Bruce Trust/Vesper on 5th July, many thanks.
Really like the new location for the stalls etc, not so far to walk. Had a very good view of the finish line.
PHaB club will be taking a barge trip with Bruce Trust/Vesper on 5th July, many thanks.
Posted by: Col, abingdon on 8:40am Mon 12 May 08
Really like the new location for the stalls etc, not so far to walk. Had a very good view of the finish line.
PHaB club will be taking a barge trip with Bruce Trust/Vesper on 5th July, many thanks.
Really like the new location for the stalls etc, not so far to walk. Had a very good view of the finish line.
PHaB club will be taking a barge trip with Bruce Trust/Vesper on 5th July, many thanks.
Posted by: Anon, Abingdon on 12:58pm Mon 12 May 08
This was a great day, we chose to sit on the far side of the river by the childrens fountains, this area again was packed full with families however I would like to make one point, why did the Vale council see fit to leave the public toilets here shut ? you had to walk all the way back to town, not very practical.
This was a great day, we chose to sit on the far side of the river by the childrens fountains, this area again was packed full with families however I would like to make one point, why did the Vale council see fit to leave the public toilets here shut ? you had to walk all the way back to town, not very practical.
Posted by: Anon2, Abingdon on 2:00pm Wed 14 May 08
I thought the location this year was awful. Viewing of the racing itself was limited unless you were on the other side of the river, but then you had to walk quite a way back to the stalls etc. Much better when it was held in/next to the same field further around the river, from a spectators point of view.
I thought the location this year was awful. Viewing of the racing itself was limited unless you were on the other side of the river, but then you had to walk quite a way back to the stalls etc. Much better when it was held in/next to the same field further around the river, from a spectators point of view.
Posted by: peter, abingdon on 5:46pm Wed 14 May 08
The racing was due to take place opposite the stall and fair, but the environment agency made the organisers move it, so it is not really thier fault. Still goes to show that out little town can be a very pleasant place to be when people make an effort....
The racing was due to take place opposite the stall and fair, but the environment agency made the organisers move it, so it is not really thier fault. Still goes to show that out little town can be a very pleasant place to be when people make an effort....
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