Fabulous Floral Flotilla

Beautifully decked floral rowing boats, canoes and river launches all joined in the fun for the second Chelsea Fringe in Henley Floral Flotilla on Saturday morning.

Two rowing boats from Phyllis Court Club led the flotilla which saw the boats leave Mill Meadows go up to Marsh Lock and then up to Henley bridge before returning to Mill Meadows.  Deputy Mayor, Councillor Will Hamilton lent his boat to Henley in Bloom which had a yellow bee theme and the Mayor, Councillor Julian Brookes and his wife, Gabriele were invited to go on Daughter of Elrond who had entered for the charity, the Teenage Wilderness Trust.  Other powered boats included the perfectly named Mrs Bouquet and Hobbs of Henley’s Larkspur hire boat.

1st Henley Brownies were aboard Magic Maisy with a red, white and blue theme to celebrate the Queen’s birthday.  The Brownies made their carnation flowers for their arrangement out of paper napkins.  Michaela Clarke, leader of the Brownies said, “We were very grateful to Tim and Jo Dickson who lent us their boat this year as their daughter Martha has joined the pack.  We would like to also thank Eyot Boat Club for lending us the life jackets for all the Brownies.  They all had a great time, waving their flags at the people on the river bank.”

The Blomfield family from Shiplake entered 2 boats this year.  Their motor boat, Cygnet being probably the boat with the most flowers on (around 70 pots) with David and Sarah Blomfield on board with their daughter Evie and their dog, Boris who looked like he was enjoying the ride too.  They pulled their other daughters, Amelie and Lucy and their friend Georgia Newton along behind them in their canoe decked with beautiful wisteria.

Unpowered boats included Fiona and Pete Jennings who entered again their wonderfully restored ‘Dipper’ rowing boat and Oscar Newton who did brilliantly in his canoe, keeping up with the rest of the boats.

Victoria Newton from Chelsea Fringe in Henley said, “Despite the threatening weather we all managed to have a great time and put on a truly fab show. The boats looked amazing!”