Senior Citizens' Boat Trip 2026

On Friday 24 July over 170 Marlovians woke up to a beautiful summer’s day, eagerly anticipating the Rotary Club of Marlow’s annual Senior Citizens Boat Trip.

Meanwhile as dawn broke, the Ladies of the Inner Wheel Club of Marlow were busy preparing the sandwiches, cakes and scones that would make the event so memorable.

On the other side of town Dave Dunbar was dusting off his trilby and bow-tie ready to perform his Sinatra and Rat-Pack tributes.

Back in Higginson Park members of the Rotary Club of Marlow got ready to welcome the guests on board PV Oxford. While the guests had an average age of 81 with several in their nineties, they were all youngsters compared to PV Oxford which turned 104 this year.

These trips have been run regularly for nearly 50 years and are eagerly anticipated by those who have been before. Spread over a morning and afternoon sailing, everyone enjoyed a two-and-a-half hour trip on the river.

On a lovely sunny day with a cooling breeze and good company, a cruise on the river is the perfect opportunity to relax and take in the beautiful scenery of the River Thames.

During each trip, the friendly ladies from Inner Wheel served up their mouth-wateringly delicious food boxes and served hot and cold drinks.

This was the first time we had had Dave Dunbar on board and not only did he sing songs that everyone onboard knew and loved, but also got a fair few dancing in the aisles and even passers-by and other boats waving to us.

As we arrived back at Higginson Park with everyone on board singing to Sweet Caroline we were greeted by all those on the river bank waving and joining in.

As one person wrote to us afterwards

The happiest day I have had for months!! A wonderful day, it was such a joy to take part and feel part of the world again, to feel the breeze, see the swans, lovely riverside gardens and a singsong as well! 

A huge thank you to you and the Rotary for the great teams you have put together who looked after us so well.

Our thanks go to Inner Wheel, Dave Dunbar, Laura at Marlow Age Concern who arranged transport for those who needed it, our on-board paramedic who thankfully had nothing to do and to Ritchie, Fiona and the rest of the crew. They all contributed to making the day such a memorable success.

Thanks to a very generous donation from the Shanly Foundation the Rotary Club of Marlow were able to make this trip free-of-charge for the Senior Citizens of Marlow.