Cambridge: Bumps To Go Ahead

17 July 2012, 11:36 | Updated: 17 July 2012, 13:16

Cambridge's famous 'town bumps' rowing race will go ahead despite recent flooding alongside the River Cam.

There were concerns this year's race would not go ahead today (Tuesday) after heavy rain led to the River Cam bursting its banks [pictured - right] at the weekend.

Heavy rainfall also led to a large willow tree getting uprooted and falling into the Cam close to the Fort St George pub [pictured - below].

However, after a meeting on Monday night, organisers have decided the historic race is safe to go ahead, and will be staged from today until Friday.

Bumps Secretary Stephen Allen said: "The bumps committee has met and having assessed the state of the river has decided that the town bumps 2012 is on. 

The river is close to normal levels and the flow has reduced considerably.

We are in daily contact with the environment agency and will constantly review the situation. 

Clubs may assume that racing is on unless we inform them via their reps otherwise."

The race dates back to the 1820s.

Crews from Cambridge's different colleges race each other along part of the River Cam every year over four days.