Traditionally, the grandest area has been the Steward's Enclosure. There gentlemen may not remove their blazers or ties unless the heat gets exceptional (i.e. there have been at least two fatalities due to it!) and ladies must wear skirts below the knee and a hat. I have seen people turned away because of a regulation breech.
Outside the Steward's (and one or two other club specific areas) dress codes don't really apply however, rather pleasingly in my opinion, around 90% of men still opt for blazer and tie and most women will usually opt for rather pretty dresses. It is an occasion that well justifies me holding on to my blazer.
On the subject of blazers; there are some spectacular ones. Wild and outrageous colours (and shapes) abound, my favourite being the army ones. They wear blazers of desert camouflage material.
As you can probably guess from my tone, I have "done" Henley for years. As I grew up around rowing, I've always been able to follow what's been going on unlike most other sports. Slightly disappointingly, even at the peak of my rowing career, I was never quite good enough to compete there but at least it gave me some knowledge of the people involved.
My father on the other hand, has rowed Henley several times. It was he that instituted the tradition of going every couple of years when I was growing up. It always amused me that as an ageing leftie radical, he was always adamant that the event was solely about the rowing and the elegant splendour of it all was nothing more than an inconvenience. Naturally this was said as he was trying not to look proud of one of his various old-club or rowing award ties (worn just to avoid standing out you understand). However, after years of dedicated piss-taking from my mother and I, he has finally admitted the spectacle is impressive.
This year was my girlfriend's first experience of Henley. Dutifully we got up at the crack of dawn to catch the train down suitably laden with pimms and picnic supplies. The plan was to get there early and set up a rug on the bank to get a decent vantage point for the racing... And the people. I usually go for the picnic option as it allows the day to be enjoyed fully (in a food and drink sense) while remaining solvent! Also, for some reason, I seem to bump into more people I know on the banks than I do in the enclosures.
This year however was a bit different. It was the first time I was there without my dad. Up until now, I usually met with him at some stage. This year, we were strolling up the tow path and bumping into various people from my past. I was feeling distinctly strange that dad wasn't there (and more than a titch guilty). Suddenly there was a tap on my shoulder followed by, "Hello JR". I turned round and to my utter shock he was standing there. Saying that I was delighted to see him was an understatement.
As a bit of background, dad has been seriously ill for a long time. There have been a couple of extremely close calls with the grim reaper and far too many late-night phone calls from mum saying that he's in hospital. Hence, for some time, every time I have seen him there has been the remote but distinct possibility that it could be for the last time. Since Henley has always been special to him and I have formed so many happy memories because of it, it was wonderful for both of us that he could be there.
Overall it was a fantastic day. Barring one (heavy) shower, the weather was rather nice, we ate lots, drank more and bored my girlfriend with facts and anecdotes about rowing. Bring on next year.
JR
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