On Tuesday 17 May, Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre and Conferencing hosted 80 staff, family and friends for the first ‘community paddle’ evening on the riverfront.

Bisham Abbey staff member Alona, connected with local families, many hosting Ukrainian refugees and approximately 20 families gathered on the lawn to share the river front activities provided free of charge by Boat Rental Thames.

Bisham Abbey’s manager James Ewart commented, “We wanted to showcase to our staff and local community the wonderful riverfront we have here at Bisham Abbey. Boat Rental Thames offer all sorts of activities to help people to experience the river, be it on a paddle board, kayak or electric boat. Many of our staff haven’t had the chance to try these and to have so many local Ukrainian families join us as well made for a very special evening in the sunshine.”

Guy Fisher, Owner & MD of Boat Rental Thames added, “we expected to be hosting staff and their families and were absolutely delighted that so many local families supported the evening by bringing their Ukrainian guests. It was a real pleasure to show everyone all of our river craft, the new water bikes were a big hit and the younger family members were able to take a trip out on our skippered electric boats.”

The evening saw over 50 people take a boat of some kind on the river, over 80 guests shared the BBQ and drinks organised by Bisham Abbey on the lawn.

Local boy Walter, was delighted to be gifted this Boat Rental Thames t shirt, the Ukrainian family who are being hosted by the boys family, insisted he be given it for their kindness!

images copyright @creativecapturemedia