They came, they paddled…… and no, they did not end up in the canal. Well done to Stroud Green Party who finished a respectable eighth out of ten, as they took part in the first Stroud Raft Race since 1985.
After designing and crafting their homemade raft on the Saturday, with a little help from Stroud Brewery, Kiera Jones assembled her brave crew on the Canal at the Bell on Upper Wallbridge Lock on a delightful Autumnal Sunday morning. With the sun beating down and a gentle mist caressing the murky water of the canal, the ‘Big Green Rafting Machine’ was launched and an anxious crew mounted, in anticipation for their number two slot. The raft began to bob up and down and the crew was soon whittled down to four; as Sarah Lunnon and Jonathan Edmunds magnanimously gave up their positions for the sake of Party.
As the claxon sounded the ‘Big Green Rafting Machine’ glided down the canal towards Capels Mill (or should I say bobbed). A good rhythm was soon created as Sarah Lunnon shouted out instructions from the Canal Bank and Green supporters began whooping from the shoreline. Martin Whiteside, assuming a more sub servery position as second mate, seemed to be truly at home in these surrounding, as he dangled his bronzed legs into weil infested waters (a man who has wrestled hippopotami in the Zambesi Rivers and swum the length of the Amazon River in his underpants). Half way down the course the Green Party had to negotiate their first obstacle; as the first raft named the ‘Halfway’ and sailed by an all women crew, broke up in mid channel (I dare not make a joke here!). With the dilemma of rescuing the fair maidens in distress or taking an early lead, the Greens took a deliberate turn to the left (in alignment with their politics) and allowed the Stroud Valley Canoe Club to come to the aid of the stricken crew.
As the Crew reached the half way point at Capels Mill, the Green craft was greeted by further Green supporters sited close to the viaduct, where Lynn Haanen flashed her green petticoat, reminiscent of Jenny Agutter in the ‘Railway Children’. After expertly negotiating the buoy at the turn, the Green Crew headed for home, eager to get back to the pub for a well earned Sunday Lunch and a cold beer. As they picked up speed with the breeze at their backs, our intrepid crew passed the Stroud Town Council Crew, captained by mayor and former District Green Councillor Kevin Cranston. Kiera Jones, whose partner Alan Sage, had betrayed the Greens to crew for STC, managed to keep the raft steady as they launched a salvo of water at the STC raft, who were attempting to sabotage our raft. The Greens had been hoping to come up against the Labour Group, who had promised to put in a raft this year, but were robbed of this rivalry as they pulled out, apparently due to a mutiny of who should lead their crew!!!
After 36 minutes the Green Crew powered towards the finishing line to become the first crew home and set a target to beat. With their sea legs betraying them, the victorious crew were hauled ashore to be greeted by their supporters. As the morning continued and rafts came and went the Green Party moved down the leader board, but as Martin Whiteside commented: “The Greens don’t agree with first past the post races!” Next year we will go for further streamlined advancements and perhaps we will get a flotilla of ‘Big Green Rafting Machines’ to take on and beat this year’s winners, Stroud Rotary Club. Well done to our crew: At the bow Rachel Jones and Martyn Cutcher, and at the stern Kiera Jones and Martin Whiteside.
Congratulations to all those who organised, took part, supported and raised plenty of money for charity and see you all next year. Looking out for raft engineers for new designs already! For footage of this year’s race, please check out the excellent film produced by our very own Philip Booth.