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Local organiser Louis Jankel writes:-

A cynic or anarchist might consider that the government 'got at' a Higher Authority. Saturday dawned abysmal. Those travelling any distance were further discourage when at 10am, red boards went out which discourages boaters from boating. Experienced boaters anticipated the conditions and many regretfully cancelled plans to attend not wishing to be 'trapped' on the river until waters subsided.

However at 2.15pm David and Sheila Suchet arrived at the arranged mooring, in central Kingston, to be greeted by dozens of enthusiastic demonstrators who had been practising for 20 minutes jeering at a local press photographer who seemed delighted. Eventually local and boating national press had had their fill and allowed the Suchets in the company of Will Chapman and the indomitable Michael Shefras to move off only 15 minutes late.

At 3.00pm a convoy of 34 boats ranging from a pair of canoes, stoutly padded by Kevin East and David Moss, up to Yarmouth Belle from Turks Passenger fleet. The Two Dutch barges along with Yarmouth Belle bedecked with the banners contrasted with the myriad of smaller craft filling up the river as they struggled up against the flow towards Hampton Court. By then the perfect sunny afternoon arrived and the Thames looked quite beautiful. There is something very special about such perfect autumn weather on this river in flood. The volume of water and the speed at which it moves is very impressive and the opportunity we had to see that framed by the exquisite autumnal colours of the towpath trees made the cause for which we were gathered all the more obviously important.