On Friday 23, August it will be 250 years since Hon. Henry Hobart laid the first stone of Richmond Bridge back in 1776.

To mark the occasion, Richmond's Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a new campaign called 'Be in Bloom' where the bridge has been adorned with a floral display and today (20 August) it has taken passengers under the bridge.

The Royal Jubilant approaching Richmond Bridge with its new floral display (credit: Cesar Medina).

In attendance were members from the community, Deputy Mayor of Richmond Kuldev Sehra and Be Richmond members. Taking passengers under the bridge was the Royal Jubilant a traditional barge built by Richmond Bridge Boathouses.

The Jubilant was commissioned by The Thames Traditional Rowing Association to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002 (credit: Cesar Medina).

The boat took two trips under the Grade I listed bridge with the first taking place at around 12:30pm. Setting off towards Cambridge Gardens and wrapping around back through the bridge and towards Cholmondey Walk before again, going through the bridge and completing its journey.

The boat before taking passengers through the River Thames and past Richmond Bridge (credit: Cesar Medina).

The Be Richmond team say it set up the flower arrangement on Richmond Bridge at 4am today from renowned florists WildAbout, who selected fresh flowers and plants with moss used as an eco-friendly base.

"Our goal with 'Be in Bloom' is to celebrate Richmond's amazing heritage and natural beauty in a fun and engaging way," said Anna Bromly, Be Richmond Marketing Manager. 

"'Be in Bloom' not only beautifies our historic bridge but also promotes a sense of community pride and enhances the overall visitor experience.

"What better way to view such an historic bridge than from the deck of a tradition rowing boat that was actually built under it?" she added.

The event is from Be Richmond and its new intiative Be in Bloom (credit: Cesar Medina).

To find out more about Be Richmond and its Be in Bloom campaign, click here.

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