W.L. West & Sons Ltd.

Macmillan Rother Raft Race 2005

Sunday 28 August

Well, what a day. Hot sunshine brought not only a wonderful 72 rafts but hundreds of spectators as well to watch the 24th Macmillan Rother Raft Race. As the main sponsor W.L.West & Sons ltd were delighted to see a high number of entries.

The entries came from near and far, with a contingent from Wales, entries from the North of England and an international contingent as well.

Macmillan Cancer Relief is the prime charity and the organisers hope that last years £6500 can be well and truly busted. Easebourne Scout Group again provided the catering, and they are also one of the charitable beneficiaries.                                        Stop Press - The organisers have announced that the imediate after race take was £8100, this will probably rise as the after event mop up continues, and is nearly £2000 increase on 2004.  It reflects a great effort by everyone - THANK YOU ALL.

Next year is the Raft Race’s Silver Anniversary. To celebrate the 25 years the organisers hope to increase the entries to over 100 and if possible to 125 rafts. We are asking all of 2005’s competitors to encourage one additional team to enter, this is a great event so – teams – rise to the challenge and lets make 2006 a really spectacular year.

We were fortunate this year to get Spirit FM on board. With a historic raft – Thomas the Tank Engine again taking to the water as the chosen craft for the Spirit FM team. Duncan Barkes – The big man of radio, was part of the team. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and hopefully will support and publicise the event again next year.

You may have noticed that the Raft Race tee shirts are different subtle shades each year. In last year’s newsletter we told you about a Rother Raft tee shirt that had been seen in Cuba. If you see any of the raft race shirts around the world, take a photo and email it to raftrace@wlwest.co.uk  and we will start a gallery.

Well as they say pictures speak louder than words – so here is a selection of the day’s fun.

  Stiil working minutes from start

 All dressed up & everywhere to go! Scouse Scruubers return after a few years break.

The voice of Raft Race - Robin Shapland calls the competitors to order

Some make the day special with original designs..........

Some straight from saffari as with Giraft.............

...and other lay back and use simplicity for speed.

Duncan Barkes, a Spirit FM presenter chats with Rob Shapland before the off.

Duncan with his team and 'Thomas' a raft that has one a few prizes in earlier races.

And their off ....... crowds watch the launching

Two 'man' youth start

..and one of the 4 'man' youth teams - Sink or Float

Scouse Scrubbers get away well ............

..while Jaws makes straight for the opposite bank!!

The D's B's are overtaken and later find that their craft perhaps isn't the D's B's when it breaks up a little!!!!

Thomas launches with Duncan Barkes and his Spirit FM team on board.

A truely International affair, two ladies from the Netherlands on board Double Dutch.

In the families class ... Neverlanders

Competitiveness is everything.... but it does cause jams at the start.

Surely Giraft's neck won't go under the bridge? Ah, but with clever construction the neck lowered, and stayed intact 'til the end.

...and some perhaps need a little more time at the design stage!!!!

Fab1 is overtaken by 4 Nuts

The fish ladder often catches people out, as the Daring Dainties find out ......'wheres my partner?'

Kon Tiki Flame finishes second in class.

Even at the finish there's plenty to do, to get the rafts out safely and in one piece.

And Tom Leddra get the rafts out. Tom is a long time supporter and competitor of the Raft Race. He hung his 'paddle' up a few years ago.....but could we see his return for the Silver Anniversary? We'll wait and see.

For more photo's have a look at the raft race web site at www.rotherraftrace.co.uk or Spirit FM's website at http://www.spiritfm.net/gallery.aspx?id=16

And if you want a reminder of the 2004 event CLICK HERE

Details of the 2006 Silver Anniversary race will be on this web site and the Raft Race web site in the spring. Thank you all for supporting this event, and please... come back next year.

W.L. WEST & SONS LTD
Selham, Petworth, West Sussex GU28 0PJ
United Kingdom

Tel: 01798 861611   
Fax: 01798 861633   
E-mail: sales@wlwest.co.uk

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