Rotary raft race is rescheduled

The race, an annual fundraising event for the club, will now take place on the River Leam on Saturday July 14.

It had been scheduled to take place last Saturday but the prolonged period of heavy rain had dramatically increased the volume of water in the river and created a dangerous rate of flow over the weir at Princes Drive, which is a key obstacle in the race.

Rotarian Mike Wilkinson, a spokesman for the club, said: “With more 20 teams signed up to race their crazy craft in aid of their chosen charities, the disappointment was cushioned by the knowledge that the decision was the right one.

“Normally the race is a sun-blessed drift of the ingeniously designed rafts and their rival crews be-sporting a variety of costumes.

“Previous years have seen such sights as fearsome pirates, marauding vikings, smoking Chinese Dragons, a big red fire engine and a serene Royal Wedding group.

“Well ahead of these come the dedicated lightweight rafts pounding their determined way to complete the course in less than an hour.”

The Fun rafts will be launched down the Elephant Walk slipway by the Jephson Gardens suspension bridge for a timed phased start at 12.45pm on and will finish opposite St Nicholas Park at Myton Fields, Warwick, where there is ample parking and a suitable venue for a picnic lunch.

For more information call 07831 516875 or click here.