BLUEBIRD K3 PROWESS AT TRAD
HOME NEWSINLAND WATERWAYS BLUEBIRD K3 PROWESS AT TRAD
30 Jul 2018
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15 awards were up for grabs at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival, which featured numerous historic vessels. Credit Amersham Photographic Society
The late Sir Malcolm Campbell’s ‘Bluebird’ K3 world water-speed record breaker was a star attraction at the Thames Traditional Boat Festival.
During the ruby anniversary of the festival at Henley on Thames, Bluebird ran the Henley Regatta Course, while Bremont Watches-sponsored Berylla made an appearance on the water for the first time in decades. 1930s boat Magyar, having just been rebuilt from a bare hull, was also displayed on a trailer for the public to visit and admire the craftsmanship that modern boat-builders can still offer.
“That is, of course, what the show is all about,” said festival chairman Lady Judy McAlpine. “Preserving the skills needed to conserve these rare beauties and to create new versions for those not fortunate enough to be able to buy an old one. That said, it is also a great family weekend with something for everyone to enjoy.”
15 awards
Gloriana – The Queen’s Rowbarge was at the show, alongside its builder Sir Jeffrey Stirling, who greeted early cruisers. Other river craft ranged from little canoes to the big ‘Little Ships’ used during the evacuation of Dunkirk.
15 awards were up for grabs at the festival with some of most popular entries including a floating Triumph Herald, a bread-van and a motorised basket chair.
At lunchtime each day a Hurricane and several WW1 aircraft had the crowds staring skywards and on Saturday evening everything stopped for the illuminated parades and more quirky British tradition including a parade of a few dozen old cycles.