MARLOW residents are gearing up for one of the biggest events in the town's calender this weekend as the town regatta and festival takes over.

The annual regatta sees a host of people flock to Higginson Park to watch rowing and enjoy a glass of champagne or two.

Marlow Town Regatta and Festival committee member Lance Slater said it is not too late to get those all important enclosure badges.

He said: “Everything is set up and all ready to go. We are looking forward to another great weekend.

“Sales of all the badges have gone well but we are urging people to consider buying enclosure badges at the last minute.”

The weekend sees guests don their finery with a strict dress code on the Saturday into the enclosure including no jeans, denim and trainers.

Sunday is a more relaxed affair with no dress code and a events throughout the day.

In the Marlow Free Press last week, Sir Steve Redgrave praised the ‘huge commitment’ made by Marlovians to stage the event which is “helping produce the next generation of rowers”.

The traditional regatta was lost to Marlow in 2001 after the official organisers quit the River Thames for Dorney Lake near Eton.

The town council and dozens of residents stepped in to relaunch the town’s showpiece social event as the Marlow Town Regatta and Festival which has now reached its tenth year.

The earliest known regatta is said to date back to 1855.

On Saturday the gates open at 7.30am until 7,30pm. For the first time there will be three divisions of rowing starting at 8am,11.30am and 3pm, with no break for lunch and racing is not expected to continue beyond 6.30pm.

On Sunday, the enclosure is open from 8am to 5pm. Dragon Boat racing will start at 9.30am and at 4pm there will be a concert at All Saints Church featuring Juice, a female trio.

Throughout the day there will be a craft fair and Traylens Funfair.

The enclosure will reopen at 6pm for the Party in the Park which starts at 7pm and features the Magic of Abba and The Bruvvers. Fireworks are at 10.30pm.

During the weekend the biggest flower festival to take place in Marlow will open its doors at All Saints Church. Actress Wendy Craig, who has starred in Butterflies and The Royal, will officially open it at a preview tonight.

There will be 37 floral displays and the church will be decorated from top to bottom with the theme “The River from Source to Sea”.

The displays are being produced by top floral arrangers from around the area together with church schools, the Guides and Brownies, the Mothers' Union and a number of church groups.

Money raised will go towards supporting a local community youth worker.

The Flower Festival is open at 10am-7pm on Saturday and on Sunday from 11:30am-4pm and again from 5:30- 7pm. Admission is £2.50.

The preview evening tonight at 7pm is tickets only with wine, soft drinks and nibbles for £6.

For further information contact Flower Festival organiser Muriel Reynolds on 01628 473020 or email reywren@aol.com.

To buy enclosure badges to the regatta and festival go to www.marlowtownregatta.org.uk for more information or call 07870 391040.