Regatta at Mote Park (1880)

Post date: Apr 11, 2015 6:21:27 PM

Extract from London Daily News - Thursday 02 September 1880

MAIDSTONE. In the presence of a large concourse of persons, the Maidstone Regatta, organized the Invicta Rowing Club, was held yesterday. Usually the regatta is held on the Medway, but in consequence of the narrowness of the stream much inconvenience has been experienced, and this year, through the kindness of the Lady Howard de Walden the Earl of Romney the affair took place upon the splendid sheet of water in the Mote Park. The Town Challenge Cup (now held Chatham), produced several heats, the course being about a mile length. Both the local clubs were defeated in the preliminaries, the contest between the Chatham Rowing Club and the Maidstone United Club being a very exciting race, which the former won by half a boat's length. The final heat resulted in the Chatham club winning by two lengths. A Professional Scullers' Race, one mile, for £1, was won by H. Clasper, London, by three lengths. A Scullers' Race, for youths under 18), about three quarters of a mile (prize, a silver cup), was taken by A. L. Ilainerton, of Maidstone, and a pair-oared skiff race (first prize two race (first prize two silver caps, second £2 2s. was won by J. Ker and J. Marchant, Maidstone). Several other races took place.