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the London Showboat dinner cruise special services and temporary schedule changes private parties and corporate events the Hispaniola floating restaurant and conference and meetings venue |
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Tel: 44 (0)20 77 400 400 Fax: 44 (0)20 77 400 495 e-mail: info@citycruises.com |
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Special Services & Temporary Schedule Changes
All services operating normally at present.
Doggett’s Coat and Badge Race Cruise22nd July 2008 This annual race was first contested in 1715 and is said to be the oldest sporting contest in continued existence. The contestants are drawn from the ranks of newly-qualified Thames Watermen and Lightermen. The course has always been four miles and five furlongs from London Bridge to Chelsea. Thomas Doggett was an Irish actor and comedian who came to London about the year 1690 and, after considerable success on the stage, became a manager of different London theatres. He lived in the village of Chelsea and made regular use of the Watermen of the Thames to take him to and from places of work. These Watermen were licensed to row passengers along and across the River Thames to and from the various plying stairs, as the boarding and alighting places were known. Watermen were, in effect, the equivalent of modern taxi drivers. In his Will, Doggett remembered the Watermen and bequeathed a sum of money to ensure that an annual race be organised with the prize of a scarlet coat and breeches upon which would be worn a silver arm badge. He wished the race to be in commemoration of His Majesty King George the First’s “happy accession to the British Throne”. Doggett’s executors paid over the sum of £300 to the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers who agreed to henceforth administer the race. This agreement has been kept faithfully although the costs of providing the badges and livery have increased considerably. Those entitled to take part in the race continue to be young Watermen who are in their first year of Freedom of the Watermen’s Company and in recent years this has been extended to include a few qualified young women. As numbers of apprentice Watermen and Lightermen have declined, since the early 1960’s unsuccessful competitors have been allowed to row again in their second and even third years of Freedom. Join City Cruises on this marvellous day aboard the M.V.Millennium of London as we follow the race. You will be welcomed aboard with a refreshing glass of Pimms. A lunch of lasagne and salad is included with a choice of desserts followed by tea and coffee. Boarding at St. Katharine’s Pier (next to The Tower Hotel, by Tower Bridge) will commence at 1100 for departure at 1115, returning to St. Katharine’s at approximately 1500 (3pm). Cost per person: £32.50 To book, call our Sales & Reservations Centre on 020 77 400 400
new year's eveEnjoy spectacular views of the New Year's Eve fireworks from the deck of one of our River Thames cruisers. Places still available for the New Year's Eve Gala Dinner & Dance Cruise from Westminster Pier. Call the Sales & Reservations Centre on +44 (0)20 77 400 400 to secure your booking. greenwich pier redevelopmentGreenwich Pier is currently being redeveloped and the Cutty Sark tea clipper is undergoing restoration. Both works are expected to last until 2009 at least during which time ticket sales will continue as normal but from a temporary office located in Cutty Sark Gardens. Please take care when proceeding from the ticket office to the pontoon from where the boats depart.
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