140 Years of Sunbury Regatta!
If you live in Lower Sunbury or happen to drive through Thames Street, you would have noticed the colourful flags welcoming you into this picturesque, historic village.
This Saturday 12th August, 2017 will be the 140th year of the Sunbury Amateur Regatta, the first Sunbury Regatta was held in 1877 when the days events included sweep-oar pairs, sculls (as racing shells), punts, canoes and swimming. The original course was downstream from the very end of the Sunbury Reach beside Sunbury Lock. The fireworks and parade of illuminated boats, which are such a well-known feature of the regatta, were mentioned as early as 1880.
Today Sunbury Regatta remains a serious skiffing race event for local clubs but it is also an annual calendar event for Surrey and the local community supporting the development of skills and enjoyment of the River Thames.