Information posted by richard.follett9@virgin.netRichard Follett, Bedford Modern School Boat Club._____________________________________________________________________________
On Thursday 18th June, the inaugural race between Bedford Modern Schooland Bedford School 1st VIII's took place. Competing for the RenaissanceTrophy, the event was staged at the request of HRH The Prince of Wales,who was in Bedford to open and name the new "Renaissance Footbridge".
The race between the two crews started at Bedford Town Bridge, andfinished at the new bridge, a distance of approximately 1000m. The twocrews have never before in their history raced each other except in thecourse of normal regatta situations, and the excitement was as high asthe expectation of success.
Bedford Modern School, rowing on the School's Boathouse side of theriver, rating 42, and settled into an early lead, which they held to thefinish line, despite a late push from Bedford School, rating 40. Thewinning margin was ¾ of a length, in favour of Bedford Modern School.
The race was flanked by pupils from both schools, as well as members ofthe public and television and news crews. The Prince of Wales then spentsome time talking to both crews, before presenting the trophy to BedfordModern School's Captain of Boats, Mark Bartlett.
Photographs will be available next week on the Bedford Modern SchoolBoat Club Website.