THE OTHER BOAT RACE

Of course, we all know about the famous Oxford and Cambridge boat race that takes place each spring, but do you know about the longest running rowing event - Doggett's Coat and Badge race? When researching the history of Chelsea I was fascinated to discover how much the river played a part in its past, as the original village of Chelsea was located by the banks of the Thames before the embankment was built in the 19th century.

Doggett's Coat and Badge race is named after Thomas Doggett (1650-1721), a successful Irish actor and manager who decided to hold a boat race along the Thames for watermen who had recently finished their apprenticeships. Doggett was also an ardent supporter of the Hanoverians, and the race became a celebration of George I's accession to the throne.

The first race took place in 1715 and the winner won an orange coat with silver badge depicting the Hanoverian horse. The race was held on the first day of August, and ran from the Old Swan pub at London Bridge, the city's only bridge at that time, to the White Swan that sat by the edge of Chelsea Reach, near to today's Swan Walk.

Doggett's race still continues today, but is now held in July and runs from London Bridge to Cadogan Pier. You may also know Doggett's pub by Blackfriars Bridge - another reminder of this long-running race along the Thames!