AHEAD of this year’s Moat Boat Race on August 26, first viewings of some of this year’s entries are appearing, as boats are beginning to be moved in preparation for the races.
This year the Likely Lads entry is a Thomas the Tank Engine-themed boat.
The boat was collectively constructed by the team, although the team’s Artistic Director, Simon Manvill, has worked flat out on ‘Thomas’ which is attached to the top of the boat.
As with previous year’s entries, the Likely Lads have based their design theme on the concept of ‘transport’ and say that a train was a natural choice for this year’s race, following on from the Top Gun and Formula 1 themes of the previous years.
Due to the increased size of this year’s vessel, the team are having to revisit how it actually gets to the Moat. In previous years they have walked it up with the assistance of a supermarket trolley, but this may not be possible, and will be another challenge the team will have to overcome.
The Likely Lads usually get their entry to the Moat with the help of a shopping trolley
Likely Lads are now veterans of the Wells Moat Boat Race, and have been entering for the past ten years, with varying levels of success, with the team ending up in the Moat on more than one occasion. Crew Captain, Gerard Woods, said: “Many bad ideas come about after a quiet drink at the pub, but this has to be one of our better ideas. The Moat Boat Race is such good fun, and we should have done it many years earlier.”
The Wells Moat Boat Race is organised by the City of Wells Lions, and is held every year on August Bank Holiday Monday (August 26 this year). All teams need to be registered on the day by 10.30am, and all boats need to be on the water for a safety briefing at 11am, which all competitors need to attend. At about 11.30am the fun begins with all boats and teams on the water for the parade lap, and then the racing will commence.
Teams have got fingers crossed for warm weather. Whilst they normally have a nice sunny day, they rarely stay dry!
The Likely Lads are a skittles team who have been playing together for more than 30 years. They are based at the Venue, South Street, Wells, and have entered every boat race since 2015. The Likely Lads have thanked Tony and Sylvia Robbins at the Venue for the support they give them both as a skittles team and as a boat race team.