RAIN couldn’t dampen the spirits as assorted grenadier guards, bravehearts, storm troopers, disco divas and Rocky Horror paddlers launched downriver in the 52nd Monmouth Raft Race.

Seventy one rafts from as far afield as Scotland, Newark and Swindon entered the annual Monmouth Rotary-organised race from the town rowing club to Whitebrook, with nearly 60 actually launching out on Sunday

(September 3).

Family group Hensons’ Heroes from Woodcroft made it four wins in a row for most creative raft with their London bus and Palace guards, and also took the honours for most sponsorship handed in on the day, with a whopping £1,913.

Crew member Vicki Henson, headteacher at Primrose Hill C of E Primary School in Lydney, said: “This is our 11th year doing the raft race and we’ve raised more than £10,000 in total for charity.

“In the past we’ve done the Titanic, Alice in Wonderland, Willy Wonka, HMS Victory and Noah’s Ark, and this time we thought it would be really striking to do London, as we all love the city. We’ve now won best raft for four consecutive years, of which we’re really proud.

“We are a group of family and friends who have known each other for decades. We decided to do the race as ‘payback’ for the wonderful care my father-in-law received when he was terminally ill, and St David’s Hospice and staff looked after him for around eight months. 

“We love doing it, spending a few weekends over the summer building and creating the raft, and this year’s have been the most challenging costumes to date.” 

“But despite the rain, we didn’t get too wet, as we had the bus roof to protect us from the eggs that were thrown and from the rain!”

Monmouth Rotary spokesman Norman Williams said: “That’s the first time we’ve ever had persistent rain in the 14 years we’ve been running it, but the enthusiasm of the rafters and the spectators was still fantastic and we’re very pleased with how it all went.

“Even at the finish, everyone was determined to enjoy themselves at the family festival, and we hope to raise some £20,000 from this year’s race, with 75 per cent going to St David’s Hospice and 25 per cent to charities our branch supports.”

Abandon Ship VIII from Bristol provided the fastest raft, covering the six-mile Wye course in one hour 29 minutes six seconds to take the mixed prize, with foreign raiders Yo Hos from Newark second overall and fastest men in 1.33.52.

Parrys Pirates from Monmouth took the women’s and business prizes finishing fifth overall in 1.42.53, with Hale and Co builders merchants from Drybrook landing the business trades prize in ninth in 1.51.47, and Mork Clay Shooting Club the pub/club title in 37th in 2.40.00.

A fearsome Braveheart crew from Livingston in Scotland made the 366-mile journey to Monmouth to rampage down the river, while more local rafts were paddled by Wyedean Scaffolding from Cinderford; Jamie’s Farm from Redbrook; Mandarin Stone from Monmouth; Harrison Clark Rickerbys from Ross-on-Wye, who took the second fastest women’s prize; Landy Paddlers from Chepstow; Mount of Olives Church from Coleford; the David Broome Centre from Crick; Siltbuster from Monmouth; and Chepstow Round Table.