EARLY YEARS OF THE REGATTA - 1876

Molesey Amateur Regatta was held last Saturday over the usual course from Rush Island, Hampton to a flag opposite Garrick’s Villa, in the presence of a large and brilliant company of spectators. The island was again placed at the disposal of the committee by Mr. Brown, and the pretty lawn of Garrick’s villa was again lent by Mrs. Grove, admission to both being reserved for subscribers only. Quite a flotilla of small boats lay moored under the shady side of the island, from which an incessant popping of champagne corks proceeded during the afternoon. Indeed it was evident that the majority of the company had come with the sole object of having a pleasant picnic in a very picturesque reach of the river, and it was patent to the most casual observer that the chicken and lobster salad, and claret cup and champagne came in for a much larger share of attention than the racing. There was a good display of bunting, and the day being bright and pleasant, and not too hot, the time passed away very agreeably, the enjoyment of the proceedings being greatly enhanced by the band of the Royal Artillery, who were stationed on the lawn, and discoursed most excellent music.

The racing commenced at 11 and did not terminate until about an hour and a half after the appointed time. The apathy which prevailed amongst the public as to the results seemed to extend also to the officials, and as the representatives of the Press were not accorded the privilege of following the races on the umpire’s steamer, it became most difficult to obtain correct details of the racing. As a natural consequence scarcely two of the London papers which published reports of the regatta gave the results alike. And numerous mistakes were made!

EARLY YEARS OF THE REGATTA – 1875

Sir, - On Saturday last I rowed up the river to Moulsey regatta with a party, and in company with many other boats, moored on the bank of the island, reserved by the committee, opposite the lawn of Garrick’s Villa. After each race, in which there was any competition, a large steam launch followed, and in the narrow channel made such a suck from the bank that, with the return and the wash, instead of being able to view the races, it was stand by the boat each time one came by. I saw a member of the committee, and expostulated with him, as I imagined it was a steamer hired by them; but he said they had nothing to do with it. The annoyance became so great (and in consequence of the high wind we could lay nowhere else) that we left at half past five, and just in time, as there was a worse wash than ever, half swamping many boats: one I saw half full of water, the seat drenched, and two ladies wet to their waists. Upon asking the launch for her name as we passed her on our return, "Umpire" was given; meaning, I suppose, that they were carrying the umpire, as I ascertained the number of the launch is 39, without a name, and belongs to Mr Des Vignes, of Chertsey. I have not had an opportunity yet of calling the attention of the Conservancy to this breach of their rules, or how it was that, in face of their own servants, who were keeping the course, it was allowed to take place. I may perhaps remark that I like a cruise in a steamer, but if any friends of mine were to drive on the river in the way some do, without the slightest regard for the comfort or convenience of other people, I should request to be put on shore, as I am fond of and use the river in all its ways, and cannot see why, with a little mutual forebearance, there may not be room for all. Next Saturday is Walton regatta; let us hope any steam launches that may be there will show more consideration

Early years of the regatta - 1899

The regatta archivist reports with regret that the minute books for this year and many either side of it were badly damaged in the floods of East Molesey in the sixties, reputedly exacerbated by the sluice-keeper of the Mole being too inebriated to perform his one duty. However this account of one hundred years ago has been preserved:

In the account of last year’s regatta it was stated that probably this season the meeting would be extended to two days, and, fortunately, this was done as otherwise there would have been the same difficulty in carrying the programme which was then experienced. On that occasion there were twenty-nine heats, while this year the programme had one less, and, as a dead heat was rerowed, there were exactly the same number of races as in 1898. The regatta was held on Friday and Saturday the 28^th and 29^th July, proceedings commencing at 3 p.m. on the first day, and at noon on the second, but it would have been better had they done so an hour earlier on each day. The weather was glorious, and a gentle breeze blew down the course somewhat tempering the heat. Mrs Grove again kindly lent her lovely lawn at Garrick Villa to the committee, and there was a very large attendance, even on the first day, while on the second it beat all previous records. On the Friday evening an al fresco concert on the lawn was arranged, and proved a great success, the atmospheric conditions being perfect for such an entertainment. Afloat on Saturday there were, perhaps, not quite so many boats as have sometimes been seen, but they were very numerous, and better arrangements were made for them to distribute themselves, so that there was never any really serious block, and an excellent course was kept by the Thames Conservancy officials. Mr F.Fenner, L.R.C., once more umpired from the Hibernia, and unfortunately his decision in one instance was disputed. St.G.Ashe attempted to argue with him, and to teach him his duties, in a most improper manner, but naturally gained nothing by so doing.

The course was again slightly altered this year, and made a little longer, the start being some hundred yards above the Cherry Orchard, opposite the lower end of the Waterworks new wall, and the finish nearly a couple of hundred yards below the lower end of the lawn of Garrick Villa, stations as usual counting from the Surrey shore.

The duties of Hon. Secretary were admirable performed by Mr C. W. Kent, O.U.B.C., who must be congtatulated on the success which attended his first effort in that capacity.

Music in 1899

The Royal Artillery Mounted Band played Under dem Freihetsbanner (Blon), MorgenBlatter (Strauss), Il Conte D’Esses (Mercadante), A Runaway Girl (Caryll), Tireé du Chant des Voyageures (Paderewski), Lohengrin (Wagner), Zampa (Herold), O Star of Eve (Wagner), Reminiscences of all Nations (Arr. F. Godfrey), Slumber Song (Schumann), Reminiscences of Auber (Schumann), The Geisha (Jones). Three Dances from Henry VIII (German), King Cotton (Sousa).

The Anglo-Hungarian Band played Wein Blut Wein, Wein Weib Gesan, Geisha, Lustige Bruder, Foldzint, Belle of New York, Weaner Madlin, The Eton Boating Song, Arc en Ciel, An Artist’s Model, La Plus de Bal, Racosky.

In 1899 in the Bell Inn on June 8^th, the regatta committee voted £100 to the Milner Memorial Fund for the new Molesey Boat Club. In 1999 and in Milner’s very building the present committee voted £2000 for the planned development at Molesey Boat Club!