The World’s Oldest Boat Race

Nice exhibition on the banks of the Thames outside Tate Modern looking at the Dogget’s Race which has been run on the Thames for apprentice watermen since 1715 as part of the Totally Thames Festival.

One side of the nicely presented information boards looked at the history of the race which was set up by the actor Thomas Dogget and told the story of watermen on the Thames pointing out that watermen took people up and down the river and lightermen took them across. The race is run between London Bridge and Cadogan pier by six apprentices and the prize is a red coat and badge which are presented at a dinner at the Fishmonger’s Hall.


 The other side of the boards talked about the family tradition of taking part on the race with photographs of the current generation of these families by Hydar Dewachi. I was fascinated to see that Sean Collins, the CEO of Thames Clippers and his son had both won the race.

Watch out for sister exhibitions outside the Guildhall and on one of the Thames Clippers.
 
Closes on 30 September 2018

 

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