RaW

The Marlow Regatta and Festival is one of the biggest rowing events of the year just over the Berkshire border into Buckinghamshire.

While the rowing fraternity sip their Pimms, the majority enjoy trade stands, a fun fair and picnic area.

The BBC RaW tent proved very popular

This year, the crowds had an extra attraction: the BBC RaW Gazebo, where parents and children alike could listen to Max & Lara stories and write rowing limericks.

Dozens entered the limerick competition and around 500 families took away a Max & Lara pack. When the rain began to fall, even more people found listening to stories in our cosy tent a preferable alternative to getting wet watching the rowing.

Our tent was the busiest bar none because of the attraction of professional storytellers running children's storytelling masterclasses.

Here are some of the entries:

Vicky
"There once was a well to do lady from Marlow
Rather large but thought she should go far though
So she jumped in a boat
Said the cox 'We'll not float
Sorry Madam we can't carry cargo."

RaW is for adults too

Suzanne Cooper
"There once was a four racing ahead
Who discovered their cox was dead
So to speed up their ride
Dumped him over the side
And finished coxless instead."

The Sneddons (a tribute to Marlow man Sir Steve Redgrave, whose statue is in the town)
"There once was a man named Steve
Who excelled when the cox shouted 'heave'
He trained with the lark
Not far from the park
And his statue will mean he won't leave."

Patrick McMaster
"There once was a regatta in Marlow
So friendly all the folk said hello
The rain went pitter patter
But it didn't matter
Next year do make sure that you go."

While you're waiting for the next RaW event at Newbury racecourse in August, you can visit the RaW homepage for quizzes and games.

Or take a look at BBC Berkshire's RaW index for details of previous RaW events in the county.