The Christchurch, Boscombe and Southbourne Rotary Clubs are bringing back the traditional river pageant as part of this year’s Christchurch Carnival.
Christchurch Rotary Club is launching an exciting new fundraising event on River Stour from Tuckton Tea Rooms to Christchurch Quay on Saturday 16th
August. The pageant parade will take place from 12 noon and people will be encouraged to view from either side of the river.
The plan is to create an attractive River Pageant with a variety of river craft portraying the history and nature of our local area. The parade will feature decorative floats, boats and other watercraft, including novelty rafts, stand-up paddleboards and canoes. The pageant will finish with two dragon boat teams racing down the river, followed by a prize giving ceremony at the bandstand on the Quomps for the most attractive entries.
The aim is to raise money for Hengistbury Head Outdoors, the Bourne Water Dragons and the Pink Champagne Breast Cancer Charities.
Local community groups, clubs, and schools are invited to participate. The Sea Cadets, Sea Scouts, Harbour Watch, Marine Voluntary Service, RNLI, National Coastwatch Institution, Christchurch Rowing Club, Sailing Club, Southbourne Surf lifesavers, and various local SUP and canoe clubs have all agreed to join the parade; there is space for other clubs, businesses and private boat owners who would like to take part in the parade. The event will provide an opportunity for everyone to have fun and enjoy the river, raising money for local good causes and encourage people of all
ages to engage with the Hengistbury Head Outdoor Activity Centre, which is being developed with help from the government-backed Community Ownership Fund.
Rotary organiser Gerry Clarke said: “We are appealing to local businesses to get behind this innovative new project and help us raise money for the two local Dragon Boat Cancer Charities and the Hengistbury Head Outdoor Education Centre, which will be providing a range of waterborne and shore-based activities for the benefit of all the local community”
