Report by Robin Ford.  Photographs supplied by Sue Milton © Thames Cards

The TTBS is the Society for the preservation and use of traditional un-powered craft: skiffs, dinghies, punts and canoes etc. The Society always has an extensive presence at the Show and this year, in addition to welcoming visitors in our waterside marquee, we had a larger display than ever of members' traditional craft. This included a Viking longboat (1/4 scale) built in entirely authentic fashion, following research  including examination of the Bayeux Tapestry.

In addition to giving trips to visitors on their boats, TTBS members participated in a 'row past', whilst Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad could be seen on the lake, accompanied by a Wind in the Willows narrative by newscaster Patrick Lunt.

Thames Traditional Boat Society and Beale Park host a traditional boating day for Thames Valley U3As.

94 members of The Thames Valley grouping of some 25 University of The Third Ages (U3A), enjoyed a special traditional boating day just after the Boat Show, hosted by TTBS and the Beale Park Boat Show Team.

The University of The Third Age is a self help, learning and recreational organisation for those no longer in full time employment. They enjoy a variety of activities from walking, wildlife and family history, to languages, art photography and computing.

Beale Park provided a large Marquee, power and AV equipment for a variety of talks on traditional boats and boat building in the morning and, after lunch, provided by Kelly Nichols, a caterer at the Boat Show, guests had the chance to try out a variety of un-powered and powered craft. These included Consuta, the first steam umpire's launch, MB278, a Dunkirk Little Ship and  Beale Park's Chairman, Richard Howard's imposing Royal Barge, originally built to carry Henry VIII in the film 'A Man for all Seasons'. Also busy were Sgian Dubh, the TTBS quad skiff and Little Draken, a replica Viking longboat.