After the wettest summer for 100 years, Monmouth Rotary Club was fortunate to have chosen Sunday 2nd September to run its annual raft race.

The River Wye was at its optimum height, and provided perfect conditions for an easy voyage downriver for the 60 rafts that took part. Even the weather was perfect, with warm overcast skies to start and glorious sunshine to finish.

A large crowd assembled to view the rafts prior to the start. It's always fascinating to see the imaginative designs and different approaches taken by raft crews.

Sunshine Radio helped create a great atmosphere at the start with their live broadcasts, music and commentary, before handing over to Dave Evans to describe the scene as the rafts entered the water and prepared to set off.

Mayor Gerry Bright was on hand at Monmouth Rowing Club to give the start signal at 12 noon.

Several hundred spectators crowded the Wye Bridge and adjoining banks to cheer the rafts on their way. There was a similar response at Redbrook.

The course took the crews six miles down river to the finish at Whitebrook, where the Cullimore family had again kindly given permission to use their fields.

The winning crews took just 45 minutes to cover the distance, while others took a more leisurely approach and needed almost three hours.

Nevertheless, most rafters had a good time and thoroughly enjoyed the event.

A festival was set up at the finish including traditional stalls, fairground rides, burgers, a hog roast, Kingstone brewery beer, and live music provided by Slack Music to entertain the rafters and spectators, whilst results were calculated.

Over 2,000 people attended and enjoyed the Festival, surrounded by the wonderful scenery of the Wye Valley.

Unfortunately some visitors to the finish festival were delayed for over 30 minutes when the lane from the main road became gridlocked.

A lady who objected to parking in the field provided, and making a contribution to charity, so decided to park her car in the lane instead, leaving insufficient room for other vehicles to get by. Although this was outside the control of Monmouth Rotary Club, they wholeheartedly apologise to those delayed.

The proceeds of the raft race will be split between St David's Foundation Hospice Care (75 per cent) and other charities supported by Monmouth Rotary Club (25 per cent).

Chief executive of St David's Foundation Hospice Care, Emma Saysell, presented the categoty-winning rafts with their awards and thanked them, and all other participants for their tremendous efforts and support. She also thanked Monmouth Rotary Club for organising this major fund raising event.

The overall winner was raft number 155, "Light It Up" entered by Leigh Woodington and sponsored by CU Lighting in a time of 45.24 minutes.

The award for most sponsorship handed in on the day (£1,300) went to raft number 109, "Will he or wont he" entered by Neil Henson.

Pictures courtesy of St David's Hospice Care and Monmouth Rotary Club.