The Great Northern Regatta

1868
Bell's Life reported: The concluding heats of the handicap open skiff race, which stood over from this regatta on July 18th, were decided on Saturday last on the River Wansbeck, in the presence of a large concourse of spectators. The competitors left in for the keel boat race were E. Barnes scratch, J. Cochrane 20 yards start, and J. Tait 10, and Barnes, on whom 2 to 1 was offered, won a well-contested race by 30 yards, Cochrane being second. The handicap open skiff race lay between R. Heddon two lengths start, Smith of Sourfield scratch and J. Boyd one length, and after rowing half way Sourfield and Boyd fouled, which thuis allowed Heddon to get some distance in advance and won easily. The prizes in both contests were £1 13s for the winner, 10 shillings for the second and 5 shillings for the third.