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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Henley
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(Henley-on-Thames, 11,000 in 1991) Town in Oxfordshire, famous as the location for rowing races – for which it is particularly well suited, having a straight stretch of the Thames 2.1km/1.3m long. For this reason it was chosen for the first university *Boat Race in 1829. The Henley Royal Regatta, held in early July, was founded in 1839; the most prestigious among the dozen or so trophies are the Grand Challenge Cup for eights (also the oldest, raced for since the first year) and the Diamond Sculls (first competed for in 1844). The oldest rowing club, *Leander, has its headquarters here. The bridge over the Thames, the natural grandstand for the early regattas, is an elegant 5-arch structure dating from 1786.
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