The Wells Moat Boat Race, held on Bank Holiday Monday, saw perfect weather conditions, drawing one of the largest crowds in recent memory. Spectators were treated to a packed afternoon of competitive and creative races on the moat, making it a highlight of the city's summer calendar.

Among the standout teams was the 'Pirates of the Full Moon', who continued their winning streak, claiming the top trophy yet again. "Looks like we'll need to build a bigger trophy cabinet!" a team spokesperson joked. Their impressive run has become a signature of the event, inspiring friendly competition among participants.

The weather remained dry and warm throughout the day, providing ideal conditions for racing. Allan Trinder, the event's long-standing commentator, remarked, "This is the best and biggest crowd I have seen at the Boat Race," and hinted at new plans for next year, including a Tug of War during the interval.

The races featured various categories, with obstacle races, backwards races, sprint races, and rescue races all keeping the audience entertained. But the star of the show was undoubtedly the impressive Thomas the Tank-themed raft, which captured the imagination of the crowd and raised the bar for future entries.

The 'Thomas the Tank' raft, created by the Likely Lads team, won the best raft trophy in the senior category, showcasing an intricate design that left spectators in awe. In the junior section, the Wells & Glastonbury Young Farmers Club's 'Floating Bull Calves' took top honours for their effort.

The Likely Lads have become veterans of the Wells Moat Boat Race, having entered every year since 2015. This year, their Thomas the Tank-themed boat proved to be a crowd-pleaser. Team captain Gerard Woods said, "Many bad ideas come about after a quiet drink at the pub, but this has to be one of our better ideas. The Moat Boat Race is such good fun, and we should have done it many years earlier."

The Likely Lads, a skittles team from The Venue on South Street, Wells, have a reputation for their creative boat designs and have made it a tradition to compete in the annual race. This year's entry proved challenging to transport due to its size, but their efforts were rewarded when Thomas the Tank took to the moat and stole the show.

The Wells Moat Boat Race is organised by the City of Wells Lions and has become an eagerly anticipated annual event. With the support of local businesses and a strong turnout of participants and spectators, this year's race was one for the books.

As always, safety was a priority, with the water safety team, St John Ambulance, and organisers ensuring the event ran smoothly. Participants were briefed before the parade lap, which marked the official start of the races around 11:30am.

As Wells looks forward to next year's race, excitement is already building for the possibility of new events and even more elaborate raft designs.