YOU say the Monmouth Raft Race is in the 49th year, it could well be in the 50th year. It was founded not by Monmouthshire Young Farmers but by Monmouthshire Young Conservatives based in Usk.

I was on the organising committee and took part in the first race which was from Symonds Yat to Monmouth.

I remember it well as John Critchley, of Critchcraft fame, had built the raft – some raft, it was more like a punt but the rules were a bit more flexible than.

We all wore funny hats and  zoomed through the rapids below Symonds Yat enjoying the day. Then the slog down to Monmouth.

John, being a gentleman and the captain, started to pick up 'damsels in distress'. So having started with six paddlers we ended up with twelve in the raft and close to sinking.

But we got to Monmouth eventually and disembarked. John promptly auctioned the raft for £25 and left the man holding the painter and wondering how to get the raft home.

The next year we changed the race from Monmouth to Whitebrook to make it easier and have better start and finish facilities.

I competed in over 20 raft races and enjoyed every one.

Good luck to the Rotary Club of Monmouth for continuing the tradition and raising so much money for charity.

– Guy Rastall, Sedbury.