A COLD day and choppy River Thames could not deter about 2,000 people from turning out for Abingdon’s annual Dragon Boat races last Sunday.

The races attracted a record 32 teams, watched by spectators on Ryegrass Meadow.

Organised by the Abingdon Vesper Rotary Club, the day featured 49 races accompanied by varied bankside entertainment, which included craft stalls, live music, a fun fair and children’s games.

Competitor Philip Waddy, of West Waddy Architects, in East St Helen Street, Abingdon, said: “It’s our firm’s 125th anniversary this year, so we thought we would put in a team.

“We won our first race, but I’m not sure we’re quite as quick as some of the others.

“It’s a really well organised event. It’s a real boost to Abingdon and it raises so much for charity.

“It gets the town reconnected with the river.”

After more than six hours of races on the 250-metre course, Abingdon School were crowned the overall winners, beating teams from Thames Valley Police, the Diocese of Oxford, Sophos, Mencap and many others.

Spectator Simon West, 26, said: “It’s a shame it’s a bit cold and wet, but it’s a really good event and it’s good for the town.”

Sulwen Vaughan, president of Abingdon Vesper Rotary Club, said the event, which last year raised £30,000, took nine months to organise.

She said: “It’s our biggest event and also, I think, the biggest event for Abingdon.

“It’s very much focused on the local community and trying to boost Abingdon.”

Rotary Club member David Wilde said: “We had 16 teams last year, but we raised it to 32 and we had to cap it at that.

“It’s a really good team-building event and great for the town.”