Putney Gets Set for University Boat Race Party

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Local events planned with thousands expect descend on riverside

Large crowds expected in Putney this Sunday for the Boat Race. Picture: Putney BID

March 23, 2023

Although Sunday is currently expected to be a rather cold and damp day, this is unlikely to deter thousands of people coming to Putney to witness this year’s annual boat race clash between Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Men’s and women’s crews from the two historic rivals will race over the famous four-mile course between Putney and Mortlake.

The annual festivities had to be curtailed in recent years but after resuming in 2022 they are expected to be back in full swing this year with a host of events planned in the area. Putney’s restaurants, pubs and bars expected to enjoy a roaring trade throughout the day.

Many will be offering visitors and residents special attractions, ranging from food and cocktails, to canapés and music.

The Boat Race begins at Putney

As usual the 5th Putney Sea Scout Group will be holding a barbeque at its Scout Hut next to the towpath near the Beverley Brook footbridge. There will be burgers and hotdods with vegetarian options, along with a licensed bar, hot drinks and a cake stall. When the boats go past the finish of the races can be watch on a big TV screen inside.

The barbecue will run from 12pm to 5pm and all funds raised will go towards essential repairs to the Scout hut.

Putney BID will be holding its annual Boat Race Party in Church Square, from midday to 7pm. Live music will be provided by Riverside Radio and there will be stalls to grab a drink.

Local post-punk band The Molotovs will also be performing at The Half Moon in the evening. The Molotovs have performed close to 200 gigs up and down the country and internationally since forming in mid-2020. They show no signs of slowing down with a steady flow of sharp, catchy originals merging with cool, iconic classics from the 60’s to present day. They have supported The Libertines, Blondie’s Clem Burke, former Sex Pistols Paul Cook and Glen Matlock, The Subways and The Vapors – and name checked by Green Day to an audience of 90,000 at London Stadium last summer.

The Molotovs

The women’s race is scheduled to begin at 4pm, with the men’s following an hour later at 5pm.

The influx of thousands of spectators means that parking spaces on Putney Embankment have to be suspended.

The suspensions will commence at 8.30am on Sunday morning. Motorists who park cars there overnight on Saturday will need to move them ahead of Sunday morning's deadline. Vehicles left in parking bays after this time are likely to be towed away.

Normal parking rules will be reinstated at approximately 8pm on Sunday evening once the vast majority of spectators have departed.

Numerous signs notifying drivers of the changes have been placed along Putney Embankment.

Residential roads linking Putney Embankment with the Lower Richmond Road will also be closed to all traffic on Sunday apart from residents.

These roads may also be subject to some parking suspensions at junctions to allow emergency vehicles to access them without being obstructed. There will also be additional temporary parking restrictions on Sunday afternoon in the Lower Richmond Road.

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