Greenhithe Community Ragatta and Raft Race - What's it all about?
The Cambria Sea Scouts Greenhithe Regatta is an attempt to bring back some of the heritage of the River Thames and the magic of a regatta to the people of Greenhithe.
The River Thames has, through History, been a crucial part of the development of Greenhithe. As far back as Roman times the river was a landing place for ships and by the late 1700’s corn, wood, chalk and lime were transported from Greenhithe. Greenhithe comes from The Old English 'hythe' meaning 'landing-place', with ‘grene’ as ‘green’; therefore, a ‘green landing place’.
Alongside transport the Thames was home to the Thames Nautical Training College ship HMS Worcester and – for a while - the Cutty Sark. In Victorian times the Greenhithe Pier was built and pleasure steamers called here.
So how come now days there are hardly any links left to the river? Other places, notably the Solent have built on their river heritage and events such as the Bursledon Regatta bring villagers together on the water. The difference may be that Greenhithe was all industry rather than a pleasure boating area however there are still documented regattas that took place in the 1800’s.
The Sea Scouts Regatta gives local people the opportunity to get onto the water and enter a rowing race or even to build and enter their own raft. One key feature of our regatta is that we provide all the boats, lifejackets, safety cover and equipment. No experience is necessary and the day is all about having fun.
The regatta is run completely by Cambria Sea Scouts. There are no external stall holders and no companies profiteering from this community day. Every single penny raised goes back into the sea Scouts so that we can maintain and insure our boats, buy new equipment and continue to offer our members – who are over 100 local children – high quality, safe and fun training in Power Boating, Sailing, camping, hiking and more.
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