1839 – First Shrewsbury School Rowing Regatta

Although rowing had been an unofficial sport frowned upon by the authorities during much of Dr Butler’s tenure as Headmaster (1798-1836), during the 1830s it began to become more established.

From 1840, soon after the less disapproving Kennedy had taken over as Headmaster, rowing became an officially recognised school sport and all boys above the Fourth Form who could swim were allowed to row on the River Severn between the English and Welsh bridges and upstream to Shelton on the annual Regatta Day.

The first School Regatta was held was held in 1839. These were festive annual events, complete with military bands and crowds of excited spectators, and they continued in various formats until 1891.

Races began in the Quarry at midday, after which the crews proceeded upstream to Shelton for a meal taken in the open air on the river bank.

The crews then returned in procession and there were more races later in the afternoon, including bumping races.

The day ended with boats locked together, crews standing with oars upraised and singing ‘Hearts of Oak’ and ‘God Save the Queen’, rounded off by a celebratory dinner at The Lion or The Raven hotel.

The Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club was officially constituted in September 1866.