'Gay Old Thames'

Tea, giggles, boats and balloons in this wonderful footage from the Hampton Court and Dittons Regetta on the banks of the Thames.

A regatta has been held in Hampton Court since 1887 and this film captures 1921’s day of “strenuous racing” which starts with a group of dashing young women and one man exchanging a joke with the camera over tea and cake. Next comes a splendid panorama of the river, showing the hundreds of boats that have turned out, followed by an energetic punting race. The closing scenes show families enjoying the day, waving and wielding large balloons.