A weekend celebrating the River Avon in Chippenham benefited from a sunny Sunday after a wet and windy Saturday.

But despite a deluge as a flotilla of boats navigated the water on the first day of the Chippenham River Festival, the rain failed to dampen the fun.

Mayor and Mayoress, councillors Andy and Nina Phillips, and River King and Queen Andrew King and Bambi Violet, gamely smiled on through the downpour after launching the flotilla on Saturday morning.

With raft racing, kayaking stunts, wild swimming, and high ropes in the treetops, organiser Liz Boden said there was something for everyone to enjoy.

“The flotilla set the scene for a weekend of celebrations of the River Avon,” she said.

“We are immensely grateful to Chippenham Sailing and Canoeing Club for organising such a fitting start to the festival, and to the Sea Cadets and Canal Trust for conveying our guests of honour.”

The flotilla included canoes, kayaks, dinghies, a dragon boat, and a 100-year-old wooden rowing boat, followed by the mayor and his wife travelling aboard Chippenham Sea Cadet’s launch boat, Viking, and the river royals, who were passengers on a Wilts and Berks Canal Trust craft.

Meanwhile, on dry land, sponsor Ocean Rock Adventure was running a free raft-building workshop in readiness for the raft race that afternoon.

Raft race winners, The Cunning Punters, surged ahead of the competition on their large-barrelled vessel Bunty.

When presented with the winning shield and cup, the team announced they were dividing the £250 prize money between The Alzheimer’s Society, Marie Curie Cancer Care, Macmillan Cancer Support, Headway and CLIC Sargent.

Team captain Zoe Alderman said they had selected those charities in support of a work colleague’s bid to raise £10,000 for their collective funds.

“We’re looking forward to defending our title next year,” said team member Steven Heape.

“The Bunty shall return.”

The team’s trophy will be on show at New Road Nursery, which their children have attended at various times.

The last official river celebration of the weekend was the Specsavers Swim, which saw hardened swimmers from across the UK braving the cold depths of the Avon.

Ms Boden said: “Thanks to our sponsors, supporters, and all the hard work of our dedicated team of volunteers, all the activities have been free – which is great for the people of Chippenham in these cash-strapped times.”