It’s not an opportunity that comes along very frequently, and so the Company of Entrepreneurs was honoured to be invited to participate in the Coronation Pageant for Doggett’s Coat & Badge Wager 2023 on Wednesday 19th July.
 
Perhaps the oldest continuous run annual individual sporting competition in the world, the Doggett's Coat and Badge Wager was first raced in 1715 in honour of the accession of King George I. For more than three centuries, this race has run through the centre of London, from London Bridge to Cadogan Pier in Chelsea. This year, a unique flotilla went ahead of the race, in honour of the coronation of the King. The Coronation Pageant, comprising Thames Cutters of various vintages, flew the cyphers of every monarch from George I through to Charles III, and were crewed by rowers from, amongst others, the City of London’s Livery Companies and the Port of London Authority.

 
The Clerk smiles for the final time © DP Simms

 

The Clerk with his customary modesty, allowed his rowing prowess and meagre upper-body strength to be traded (with only mild hostility) between various vessels, before taking his seat aboard the cutter Priscilla, sandwiched between some experienced rowers from the Port of London Authority, and flying the cypher of Edward VII. It was all smiles as the cox called for the crew to take forward positions, and, with the softest of groans, the flotilla set off into a swift and choppy Thames.

 
PLA rowers heave to © DP Simms
 

Keeping processional order was no mean feat, as eager crews including the Barber-Surgeons, Founders, and Goldsmiths jostled in the wash of the Pageant Marshall’s motor launch. Adding to the maelstrom, Havengore (specially commissioned by the Port of London Authority in 1954, and made famous worldwide by its role in state occasions) - bearing a precious cargo of well-watered Livery Masters (including the Immediate Past Master Entrepreneur, Mrs Judy Hadden) and other VIPs - roared to the head of the flotilla.

 
The Barbers Cutter © Thames Traditional Rowing Association
 

To the fascination of tourists and City workers, a steady pace was kept up along the river, with flags fluttering in the unseasonal Summer squalls. The flotilla passed under Westminster Bridge, whereupon the Pageant Marshall spied the front of the Doggett’s race coming up behind. Crews were coxed and helmed to the South side of the Thames, and, as the racers passed, oars were dextrously held aloft in salute, and three cheers rang out from the rowers as the three doughty scullers pushed past.

 
Priscilla pauses to admire the view © DP Simms
 

Then it was on, in procession, just a little further, with Havengore now at the back, before the cutters turned against the tide and, with noticeably louder groans, rowed hard to the North side. With appreciable care, the crews secured the boats, and disembarked at Westminster Boating Base before heading off for well-earned refreshments.
 
News of the race results came in soon after, and Reese Ballard (station 3, racing in black) will don the famed scarlet coat and silver badge as the winner of the Doggett’s Wager 2023. Matt Brookes (station 2, racing in red) and Emily Hickman (station 1, racing in blue) finished second and third respectively.
 
The Company of Entrepreneurs is indebted to the Company of Watermen & Lightermen, the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, and the Port of London Authority, for this opportunity and the safe return of the Clerk. Thanks are especially due to the Master Waterman, Mr Ted Gradosielski BEM, and to his predecessor, Alderman Sir David Wootton, for their kind invitation.

 
The crew of Priscilla receives its orders

 

Want to learn more about the race? Freeman Entrepreneur Rachel Wang’s Chocolate Films produced this documentary about Doggett’s Wager The World's Oldest Boat Race: Doggett's Coat & Badge (subtitled) - YouTube