THE inaugural Great Gloucestershire Raft Regatta paddled off to a powerful start on Saturday, despite the strong winds making it mighty difficult for the 24 intrepid teams taking part.

Organised by the four Gloucestershire Rotary Clubs of Dursley, Stroud, Severn Vale and Stonehouse to mark the centenary of the Rotary movement, the event held at Saul Junction on the Gloucester-Sharpness canal attracted an estimated 1,500 people and raised £7,000 for Rotary charities, including the Willow Trust and Cotswold Care Hospice.

"We were very pleased. It was a fun day and everyone seemed to enjoy it," said race organiser Andy Jarrett of Severn Vale Rotary adding that plans were already in hand for next year's regatta.

As well as the races, the overall winner of which was the team from Stroud-based events company Parallel Blue, the crowds enjoyed hog roast, Uley Brewery beer, doughnuts and ice cream and entertainment from the Fabulous Old Spot Theatre Company whose merry members mingled with the spectators between their light-hearted shows loosely based on Shakespeare.

There were also a number of classic cars to admire including a collection of seven of the popular pint-sized Austin 7s.

Businesses from all over the south of Gloucestershire sponsored the prizes and many also entered teams, as did the Rotary clubs themselves. The Berkeley nurses, dressed as fairies, were the only team in fancy dress so had no trouble lifting the Uley Brewery Trophy for best fancy dress entry.

As ever with Rotary events the day was immaculately organised and ran like clockwork, with Rotary members providing marshalling of cars and spectators.

British Waterways and the Cotswold Canals Trust provided vital support for the event as did the crews of SARA, the Severn Area Rescue Association.