2. Port of London Challenge, 9 July 2018

Straight after the Installation Lunch and pausing only to remove my robes and jacket, Wendy and I made our way down to Crown Pier to board the Salient in readiness for the annual cutters race known as the Port of London Challenge. Organised in conjunction with the Thames Traditional Rowing Association (TTRA) and the Port of London Authority (PLA) this event sees some dozen or so cutters from various Livery Company’s – including the Company’s vessel ‘the Water Forget-Me-Knot’ - race up the Thames from HQS Wellington to Chelsea Harbour, a distance of some four miles. Each cutter is powered by six oarsmen or women plus a cox and occasionally a passenger and they row in the traditional manner i.e. no sliding seats. There are classes for a women’s boat, a mixed boat and a men’s boat. The Company’s entry was an all-male crew led by our Bargemaster Johnny Dwan and after assembling on the South Bank near the National Theatre, they made their way down to the start line. 

To allow for elbow room, four divisions set off in approximately five-minute waves with our boat being in the last. The Salient (with your Master and Consort safely on-board looking after the refreshments) followed at a discreet distance, slowly overtaking all four Divisions as they made their way up river to the finish line

It was a timed event and so the first boat home was not necessarily the winner. Whilst the crews boarded Salient for their well-deserved beer and sandwiches, the Umpire and his assistants made their deliberations. The results were thus:

·         Women’s Crew – Glaziers

·         Mixed Crew – Richmond Bridge

·         Men’s Crew – Water Conservators

We had won! An epic performance from Johnny and the crew; having started in the fourth Division and so right at the back they stormed through the field and were the third boat home. But in terms of elapsed time they set a new course record of (don’t quote me) 25 minutes: 22 seconds. A truly remarkable result and so the Water Conservator name will be proudly engraved on the Trophy.

Pictures show the various cutters at the finish line plus the jubilant Water Conservator crew (plus Master). Well done lads and thank you to all for making this such a great end to my first day in office.