IT would have been more than enough to warm the heart of the man whose famous victory it was created to celebrate.

For the young men and women participating in the Durham Regatta were following in a tradition going back to the years after the Duke of Wellington's victory at the Battle of Waterloo.

Given that history, a spell of cold, rain, and even hail was not going to dampen the spirits of the 1,000-plus participants in the 167th regatta, known as The Henley Of The North.

"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, the second oldest in the country behind Chester, began as a racing event in the 1830s. But the origins are thought to be even older. 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.

Nearly 200 years later, hundreds of the people from the city once again mingled with participants from universities and rowing clubs from across the country.

Alongside 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 shown 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 later this summer.

Last night, the serious business over for the teams, it was time for the party. First came the awards of pots - mini-tankards - for the winners from the Mayor of Durham, Councillor George Cowper, at the City Hall.

Then it was time for the food, the beer and a mulling over of the day's events. All in all, it seems certain the Iron Duke would have approved.