It’s a sure sign that the English summer is upon us at last when two annual institutions roll around for another year. And you could hardly get more English than the gatherings at Wimbledon and Henley.

The 2008 Championships at Wimbledon get under way on June 23rd. They’ve come a long way from the garden party atmosphere which marked the first meeting in 1877, witnessed by a few hundred spectators.

These days it’s a highly professional tournament attracting an attendance of close to 500,000 people, with players from over 60 nations competing.

More at the official Wimbledon web site, http://www.wimbledon.org

Only the strawberries and cream remain of yesteryear’s gentility at Wimbledon, but that quality is found in abundance at Henley’s Royal Regatta, which this year starts on July 2.

The event was first held in 1839 and has been held annually ever since, except during the two World Wars.

Originally staged by the Mayor and people of Henley as a public attraction with a fair and other amusements, the emphasis rapidly changed so that competitive amateur rowing became its main purpose.

The 1839 Regatta took place on a single afternoon but proved so popular with oarsmen that the racing lasted for two days from 1840. In 1886 the Regatta was extended to three days and to four in 1906.

Since 1928 its increased popularity meant entries exceeded the permitted numbers in several events, and so qualifying races are now held in the week before the Regatta to reduce the number of entries to the permitted maximum.

In 1986 the Regatta was extended to five days, with an increase in the maximum entry for certain events. 

For full details of Henley 2008, visit http://www.hrr.co.uk