SPECTATORS descended on the River Severn to witness thrilling rowing action and the Red Arrows at Bewdley Regatta over the weekend.

The sides of the River Severn were heaving as 455 crews from across the country battled it out in Bewdley Rowing Club’s biggest annual event.

The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday afternoon when the RAF’s aerial display team soared over the event in their famous V formation and left a trail of brightly coloured smoke.

Regatta organiser Simon Collingridge was delighted with the event’s success, as good weather encouraged big crowds to watch the rowing action from 32 clubs from around the country.

“The weekend couldn’t have gone any better, everything went very well and everybody enjoyed it,” commented a jubilant Collingridge.

“The Red Arrows were truly spectacular and we had some very close races at all different levels which everyone enjoyed.

“Importantly, it all went like clockwork and we managed to finish within three minutes of when we said we would on Sunday, which was important for all the crews who have to return home.”

The host club also enjoyed a good weekend in the water, with the women’s intermediate coxed four of Sue Page, Jane Trickett, Emma Hinton and Sarah Bastida coxed by Maddie Belsey-Day seeing off Worcester.

Mixed racing always provides opportunities for rowers to take part in additional races and there was success for a scratch mixed Bewdley and Worcester composite eight over Bridgnorth at intermediate one level.

The crew featured Bewdley’s Dave Merchant, Paul Stanley, Helen Downer, Helen Grainger, Kat Carlyle and was coxed by Rachel James.

There was another special moment when Bewdley’s novices bagged a home win, as the eight of Anna Singleton, Chloe Walkley, Jilly Grove, Charlotte Thomas, Laura Tuckwood, Jean Main, Katie Coles, Claudia Brooks and cox Lucy Gibbs beat Reading easily.

Ten crews entered the men’s novice skulls but it ended in an all Bewdley affair, which saw James Martyn Smith win comfortably.

Sunday saw Bewdley women’s masters A coxed four of Kat Carlyle, Helen Grainger, Helen Downer and Sarah Bastida, coxed by Ali McRae Gammond, beat Warwick by two lengths.

The racing on Saturday was watched by former indoor world triple jump champion Ashia Hansen and Emmeradle actress Susan Shaw.