Thames Barge Driving Trust

13/05/2024

50th Anniversary Barge Race
June 22nd 2024

09:30 - Crews meet at Greenwich
11:00 - Race starts
Tickets from https://www.thamesbargedriving.com/events #:~:text=The%2050th%20Annual%20Historic%20Barge,minutes%20between%20Greenwich%20%26%20Westminster%20Bridge. Or John Potter direct.

Please note due to new rules we have been given by PLA crews must meet for sign on and briefing before race day, we are meeting at Monday 20th May, 17:00 at Globe Rowing Club.

We host several Barge Driving Events on the River Thames throughout the year.

21/08/2023

Get your tickets for Alex Hickman Apprentice Race on Sunday 1 October tickets are £20 adults £10 children with ploughman’s .
For tickets email John Potter at John.r.potter1@hotmail .com or from Mike Hammond on 07568066938

21/05/2022

ITS RACE DAY!

Don't miss it - 1pm start at Greenwich / 3pm finish at Westminster

Cheer on the teams and most of all enjoy the race and have a great day!

~Ben

10/05/2022

10/05/2022

Barge BALFOUR is currently out of the water being made ready for the race

09/05/2022

The day’s schedule for this years barge race on 21st of May will be-

11:00- crews meet at Globe Rowing Club for signing on and draw for your barge.
11:15- Collect life jackets and kit.
11:30-Safety briefing
12:00- Crews off to their barges, sweeps and safety equipment on deck
12:15- Low water
12:45- Craft to their stations
13:00-(tide dependent) Race starts
15:00- Barges pass finish line at the lower end of St Thomas’ Barge Roads, race ends.
Some of the times may change a little on the day.

Good luck to everyone

06/05/2022

Eddie Fagen, Ron Fagen ,Gerry Roberts , Frank Barratt and Paul Evans win the first ever Barge Driving Race

02/05/2022

Single handed barge race days!

30/04/2022

Barges are starting to be repainted and cleaned up ready for this years annual barge driving race on the 21st May at 1300
https://www.thamesbargedriving.com/events

23/06/2021

The Alex Hickman Memorial Barge Race
Saturday 14th August 2021

(between Greenwich Reach & Westminster Bridge)
The race will see Apprentice Watermen rowing traditional Thames lighters along a 7-mile course passing beneath London’s bridges and past some of London’s most famous sights.
One Freeman will be aboard each barge to provide the Apprentices with support and a fleet of tugs and safety boats will be in attendance.
The race consists of three to five teams of Apprentices and reminds them of the traditional skills of Lightermen who moved freight using just their own personal strength and ride the best possible tidal flows.
The Thames Barge Driving Trust’s official following boat will also be covering the race route providing unique views of the race. For details of how to join the following boat go to
https://www.thamesbargedriving.com/alex-hickman-memorial-race?fbclid=IwAR2JlU7xcCoVWIZxPOeq9_bmcDKn19aVMp0mCeJy-GeESJzQDba_cSoLGC8

06/07/2019

‪It’s Historic day 2019! Don’t miss the start of this gruelling and unique in from Greenwich.co.uk at 1pm today & finishing at Palace of Westminster about 2:30/3pm‬
‪Good luck to all the crews participating & hope the spectators enjoy the !‬