You’re prize guy, May tells Sir Steve

THERESA May called Sir Steve Redgrave her “guiding light” as this year’s Henley Royal Regatta ended.

The MP for Maidenhead and former prime minister presented prizes at the closing ceremony on Sunday after six days of racing.

The regatta chairman praised her for achieving her dreams despite having Type 1 diabetes, which he also has.

This message of triumphing against the odds was the backdrop to this year’s regatta, which was attended by hundreds of thousands of people.

Crowds witnessed some close finishes on finals day with rowers from Henley’s Leander Club taking eight trophies.

Rowers from Oxford Brookes University, whose director of rowing is Richard Spratley, from Hambleden, claimed seven trophies.

A host of Olympic and world champions were among the 420 crews from 17 nations who took part in almost 400 races across 26 events. This was the second highest number of entries in the regatta’s 184-year history.

Sir Steve said: “It was our biggest ever British entry, so our regatta just seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

“We had some incredibly close races throughout the week and on finals day.”

Introducing Mrs May, he said: “Theresa was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and has showed us all that you can achieve your dreams and best potential while suffering with diabetes.”

This was met with applause before Mrs May replied: “I was not going to do this, but as you bought up the diabetes, I am not the only one here who has achieved their dreams while being diabetic.

“When I was diagnosed, I read something that Steve had said and it has been my guiding light. He said, ‘I am not going to have to live with diabetes, diabetes is going to have to live with me’.”

The crowd of hundreds at the ceremony then erupted into applause.

Rough winds during the day made life difficult for the competitors as they raced up the 2,112m course while spectators on the riverbank frequently had their hats blown off.

Along the river, people ignored the grey skies and docked their boats to watch the action and soak up the atmosphere.

Sir Steve’s wife Ann Redgrave, a surgeon, spent finals day with Olympic champion Will Satch, who attended Shiplake College.

She said: “There was a really close race between Leander and Oxford Brookes for the Ladies’ Plate, which was really good. It was sad because I think Leander were the faster crew at the finish but they didn’t go early enough.”

Satch said: “I was coaching Shiplake College. They raced yesterday and just lost, which was heartbreaking, seeing their faces.

“I’ve been in New Zealand for a few years but came back for regatta last year. I think it has been building up a bit. Everyone’s out and getting back into it, which is brilliant to see.”

People were on the water in everything from kayaks to houseboats and an Environment Agency boat was guiding geese and swans away from the course. Police also patrolled the river on boat.

A Lancaster bomber flew over the crowds four times at the conclusion of racing, prompting cheers and gasps.

Despite being now allowed to wear trousers, most women wore colourful dresses and high heels, with some donning hats as well.

Men wore blazers in an array of designs and patterns to represent their current or former rowing clubs.

“Dated” clothing was the most popular category at the Crew Clothing stands, with the beige classic caps selling out fast.

Lapel pins, belts and socks were popular with visitors who had forgotten theirs and sliders on Saturday were particular favourites with women in painful high heels.

As usual, a number of people were turned away from the stewards’ enclosure by the attendants.

One said: “This year has not been as bad as normal — there have been more women than men that have been turned away, mainly for hemlines.

“However, the introduction of women’s trousers two years ago has been very helpful in keeping up the dress code.

“Men have been turned away mainly for ties and shoes, which they can easily access from shops around the regatta and in town. We have also had to insist on men buttoning their shirts to the top.”

There were no signs of the cost-of-living crisis with the retail shops posting strong sales. Katrina Falinska, retail manager at the regatta, said: “Our 2023 mug sold out within two days. Anything with the 2023 date on it sold very well and the entries T-shirt did well, too.

“Our new collection for this year, which was influenced by the iconic regatta deckchairs, has been popular with locals and tourists.”

Also on sale were the official directors’ chairs used by spectators, selling for £235, parasols and branded towels.

In the Little Lion Meadows enclosure, there was an area with food and drink stalls open to the public. Street food stalls along the bank towards Temple Island sold calamari, pizza and waffles and in the Fawley Bar, the magnum champagne bottles sold out.

In the Fawley awning, at least 400 jugs of Pimm’s, costing £38.50 each, were sold each day.

In the Moët stand in the refreshment corner of the regatta, 600 bottles were sold at £90 each. Bayley Eyley, manager of the Little Lion Meadow enclosure, said sales were up on last year

“I think everyone is fully post-covid now,” she said. “Everyone feels a little more comfortable to be back. I also think that Little Lion Meadow is a really nice addition to the regatta as a space for the public to come in and have something to eat and drink.”

Lily, a giant inflatable duck on a raft who raises money for Macmillan Cancer Support, paraded up the river on Friday and Sunday, raising more than £800. On Friday, she was attached to a putting green with a Badgemore Park Golf Club flag attached.

On Sunday, the Craigievar Ceilidh Band performed as she floated down the river.

Owner Tim Dodd-Wilson said: “On Sunday, we struggled in the wind and it was an absolute nightmare. We couldn’t go too close to the boats to collect money. We didn’t think we would do that well but it turned out all right.”

Just Stop Oil protesters wearing orange hi-viz jackets hung a large banner over the bridge for boaters to see and then walked along the side of the enclosures.

They were heckled by passers-by and weren’t allowed to stand still by security staff but occasionally stopped to take pictures with some people. They then walked to the town hall.

Ines Smith, one of the protesters, said they wanted people to have fun but also draw attention to the fact that the Government planned to license more than 100 new fossil fuel projects.

At Phyllis Court Club, members and guests were able to order a takeaway afternoon tea that came in a three-tier cardboard cake stand.

The afternoon tea cost £29 and contained a selection of sweets goods including homemade fruit scones, Battenberg, macarons, fruit cake, choux pastry and a selection of savoury sandwiches and a quiche and a sausage roll.

The dress code was strict. One guest said that she had been asked to leave the club the previous day as her dress did not meet the code.

She then went to a charity shop in town and spent £25 on an ankle-length dress to be allowed back into the private members’ club.

The woman said: “I agree with the dress code because there is a standard to be upheld, but when the says ‘knee length’, which my dress was, they should allow knee length or be more specific.”