Cowes Week after its new sponsor, Lendy - The Property Platform. The festival originates from the Prince Regent's interest in yachting which continued after he became George IV in 1820. The first race started at 09:30 on Thursday 10 August 1826 with the prize of a "Gold Cup of the value of £100" and was held under the flag of the Royal Yacht Club, which later became the Royal Yacht Squadron. Another race was held the next day for prize money only (£30 for first place, £20 for second). Until World War I, big cutters and raters were raced by gentlemen amateurs
St Mary the Virgin Church, Cowes St Mary the Virgin Church, Cowes St Mary the Virgin Church, Cowes is a Church of England parish church in Cowes, Isle of Wight. It is in Church Road, next to Northwood House. The first church on the site was built in 1657, during the Commonwealth of England. A chancel designed by Joseph Richards was added in 1811. John Nash designed the west tower, which was added in 1816. It is unusual for being in a Greek Revival style. In 1867 the whole church except for the west tower was rebuilt to Gothic Revival designs by the architect Arthur Cates.