The Boat Race
29th March 2009 @ 15:40 BST
Location: Putney to Mortlake, The River Thames
The Battle of the Blues began on 12 March 1829 when Cambridge sent a challenge to Oxford. This idea for a rowing race between the universities came from two friends – Charles Merivale, a student at Cambridge, and Charles Wordsworth (nephew of William Wordsworth), who was studying at Oxford. The first rowing race was held at Henley-on-Thames on the 10th of June 1829 and was such a success that the people of Henley decided to make rowing an annual event, and the Henley Royal Regatta was born.
After the inaugural event, the rowing race was held further up the Thames, first at Westminster, but moved to Putney as the event became too crowded. From Putney the course runs to Mortlake, a distance of 4 miles 374 yards. With the exception of World Wars it has continued annually with the losing team challenging the victors to this Great British Event!
Putney Music Festival
Friday 27th to Sunday 29th March 2009
Now in its twelfth year, the Putney Music Festival will be held over the Boat Race weekend. Around 20 pubs, bars, restaurants and clubs throughout Putney will put on live and DJ music including live jazz, blues, acoustic, fusion and Latin music.
The Boat Race official Site
http://www.theboatrace.org/
