The ancient Chinese sport of Dragon Boat racing had an annual outing at Monmouth Rowing Club last weekend as over 150 participants turned out to raise money for St David's Foundation Hospice Care. Competitors ranging from 'Pirates of the River Wye', 'Star Sword Sinkers', 'The Wafty Crankers' and a team of St David's Foundation Nurses took to the water in a series of heats before narrowing the field for the semi-finals and the grand final. Many companies treat this popular event as an excellent chance for teambuilding, with others simply seeing it as a good way of keeping fit. For some, the most important challenge was to find the best costumes that still gave enough elbow room to manoeuvre. Top of the fashion stakes as the best dressed team were 'The Bow Train'. The crew that raised the most sponsorship money was The Green Dragon Public House while it was almost a photo finish, the final results were 'Watch this Space' in first place, 'Shiastsh Warriors' in second and for the second year in a row 'The Green Dragon of Monmouth' coming in at number three. Emma Saysell, Chief Executive of St David's Foundation Hospice Care, congratulated all those who had taken part for being so sporting - and so entertaining. St David's is very grateful that people are prepared to give up their time to raise money so that we can provide hospice care - and that they seemed to enjoy the day so much."
