In the first ever Henley Club to Pub Swim, held on 9 August, 169 swimmers completed the 1.5 kilometre course in the Thames and celebrated with a bottle of Brakspear’s Two Bells, brewed specially for the event by the Henley-based brewer and pub operator.
Swimmers started at Henley Rowing Club, following a course upstream to Marsh Lock, then back downstream to Brakspear pub, the Angel on the Bridge. Once on dry land, they were given a bottle of Two Bells and a medal which ingeniously doubled as a bottle opener to provide an immediate post-race thirst-quencher.
The race was won by Dan Abel, who completed the swim in an impressive 16 minutes and 17 seconds. Most swimmers managed to finish the course between the 7 o’clock evening chime of St. Mary the Virgin church and the next one at 8 o’clock – hence the name of Two Bells for the beer.
The Angel on the Bridge hosted a barbecue for competitors, friends and family and provided further supplies of Two Bells, as the only pub in Henley to be serving the beer. Mayor of Henley, Martin Akehurst, joined the crowd of supporters cheering competitors to the finish line.
Brakspear chief executive Tom Davies said, “Life in Henley revolves around the Thames and the summer swims are a popular fixture for many residents of the town and further afield. We’re delighted that Henley Swim chose to end this new event at the Angel on the Bridge, which is such a landmark in the town.
“Our congratulations to all the swimmers who completed the first Club to Pub swim. We hope they enjoyed celebrating with their bottle of Two Bells as much as we enjoyed creating it to mark this event.”
One of the competitors in the race was Rob Chasteauneuf, head chef at the Bull in Henley – home to the Bell Street Brewery where Two Bells was brewed. He said, “This is the first river swim I’ve ever done and am pleased to have completed the course.”
Two Bells, a light, golden 3.7% ale, follows the success of Brakspear’s Blooming Marvellous, also brewed to support a Henley cause, with money going to the town’s bid to triumph in this summer’s Britain in Bloom contest.
Attached image: Henley Club to Pub Swim completers (l-r) Joel Morgan, Paul Allen and Nikkie Allen, with a bottle of Brakspear’s Two Bells
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Issued on behalf of: Brakspear
Further information: Ros Shiel/ ros@shielporter.com / 07841 694137