Crafty Craft underway

AND they're off!
The majority of the 29 entrants for this year's big race have set off from the Dundas Arms in Kintbury this morning - where more than 100 spectators took advantage of the sunny weather to cheer the teams on.
Participants are currently sailing their rafts along the Kennet and Avon Canal, to cross the finish line at Victoria Park, Newbury - where they are expected to arrive in the next 30 minutes.
The event was started by Newbury MP Richard Benyon, who managed to avoid the soaking he got at the start line last year.
One of the first rafts away were the 'Thornsgrove rafters'.
They were followed by the Kintbury Crafters - who didn't enjoy the best of starts - with one team member losing their hat in the canal just after the start and having to dismantle part of their boat.
Brazilliant Berkshire Youth got into the Brazilian theme with a brightly decorated raft with snakes, a monkey and a parrot all on board along with yellow balloons.
Crowds have already started to gather in Victoria Park where entertainment will be provided at the park with amusements, carnival rides and refreshments available from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Presentations to the winners will also be made in Victoria Park at 3.45pm today.
This year marks Crafty Craft’s 40th anniversary and the event will have a special ‘Brazilian Adventures’ theme as a nod to the hosts of this year’s World Cup.
Already two teams have taken the theme to a new level, with one imaginitively naming themselves ‘Brazilliant Berks-hire Youth’, while another will be race under the name of ‘The Boyes from Brazil’.
This year’s event will be dedicated to Crafty Craft founder Laurie Birch, who died earlier this month.
Mr Birch organised the first Crafty Craft Race when he was the chairman of Newbury Round Table in 1974, and was the official starter for the following 10 years.
He was also a member of Newbury 41 Club and a founder member of Thatcham Rotary Club.