Charity, Christchurch, Events & Entertainment | Posted on August 22nd, 2025 | return to news

Spectacular river pageant celebrates the history of Christchurch

Organised by local Rotary clubs, the spectacular fundraising river pageant formed part of this year’s Christchurch Carnival.

A spectacular fundraising river pageant highlighting the history of Christchurch and its people took place on Saturday 16 August.

Organised by the Christchurch and Boscombe & Southbourne Rotary clubs, the traditional river pageant formed part of this year’s Christchurch Carnival and included a procession of watercraft on the River Stour, starting from Tuckton Tea Rooms to Christchurch Quay.

Crowds gathered along both sides of the river from Tuckton Bridge to the town quay to see a fleet of 45 watercraft pass by.

One of the organisers of the new river pageant, Gerry Clarke, said: “The weather was perfect; the sun was shining, and the Stour River became a stage for a spectacular procession. There were pirates, smugglers, various seagoing personalities, naval captains and singing troubadours delighting the vast crowds with sea shanties and lots of flag waving.”

The parade featured boats, rafts, SUPs, canoes, kayaks, gigs and assorted floating platforms including brightly coloured ducks and animated ducking stools. Amongst the watercraft, three local dragon boats demonstrated their paddling techniques after being blessed by a ‘real’ Chinese dragon before the start of the parade.

“The flotilla was led by the historic gentlemen’s sailing yacht Ianthe, built in the 1880s, and marshalled by the Marine Volunteer Service and with help from the local Sea Cadets and Sea Scouts,” added Gerry Clarke.

Local Rotary Clubs from Christchurch and Boscombe & Southbourne came together with support from the Christchurch Chamber of Trade, Town Council, and BID team to raise money for the Hengistbury Head Outdoor Centre, Bourne Water Dragons and Pink Champagne Cancer survivor charities. The pageant was followed by a prizegiving ceremony hosted by the Christchurch Sailing Club.

More photos on the Dorset View Facebook page