IT WOULD have been enough to warm the heart of the man whose famous victory over a foreign foe it was designed to celebrate.

The young men and women participating in the Henley of the North, the Durham Regatta, on Sunday were following in a tradition that goes back to the years after the Duke of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo.

And, given that history, there was simply no chance that a bit of cold, rain, and even hail was going to dampen the spirits of the thousand-plus participants in this 167th regatta.

"It's been excellent, as always," said the coach of the Durham University rowing club, Wade Hall-Craggs.

"We had Steve Redgrave here a few weeks ago for another race and he just couldn't believe the setting.

"He saw the cathedral and the castle backdrop, the cricket and rugby matches going on and the beautiful riverbanks and just said 'wow.' It's a reaction we often get - as you can imagine."

The regatta, officially the second oldest in the country (only Chester is older) began as a racing event in the 1830s. But the origins are thought to be even older than that.

Back in the years immediately following the 1815 victory over Napoleon at Waterloo the people of Durham organised annual flotillas of boats and ships on the River Wear to commemorate the victory.

And, nearly 200 years later, hundreds of the city people once again mingled with participants from universities and rowing clubs from across the nation. They even had the chance to enjoy the odd moment of sun during the occasional break in the dark clouds.

And, as well as the rowing, they could take-in the displays from the Royal Marine Reserves, a car show including classic motors or simply sit down, have a bite to eat, and drink in the scenery of one of the country's most beautiful cities.

But this was also a serious, sporting event as was evidenced by the occasional barking of orders through the loud hailer from the official commentator at the event; "Team Number Four must stop messing about and get out of the river! Now COME ON!"

His seriousness was reflected by most of the teams. Serious grudge matches were being settled. The Durham University Women avenged their defeat of a few weeks ago to the Newcastle University crew, a highlight for the organisers. Others achieved their goal of qualifying for the Henley Regatta in the coming weeks.

Once the serious business was over for the teams, it was time for the party. First came the awards for the winners from the mayor at the historic city hall, then it was time for the food, the beer and a mulling over of the day's events - a tradition which, surely, goes back to 1830s.

It seems certain the Iron Duke himself would have approved