Regatta 2007

The Regatta was held on Saturday 7th July.  Despite a number of weeks of on and off rain, the sun shone pretty much all day.

The 10km run was the first event at 11am.  Up to 70 runners took part.

(Photos courtesy Paul Neville)

The stalls had been setting up since 8am, and from about 11:30 many were doing a brisk trade, from the local gym to crepes and Caribbean food.  Many of the stalls were new this year, as we wanted to try a few new ideas out.  Most seemed to do great trade and a number ran out of stock (including the ice cream seller - very nice!!) - so hopefully we'll see them back next year plus some more new ones.

(Photos courtesy Ivan Beales)

On the entertainment side there was a gyroscope which had many in a spin.  The kids loved it, the parents felt they had to go on it to prove to the kids they weren't scared!  We found quite a lot of loose change around this activity, and even a shoe came flying off at one point.

 (Photos courtesy Paul Neville)                                                        (Photo courtesy Ivan Beales)

The clog dancers also returned this year.  Where do they get those socks!

The surfboard simulator was also popular, there was lots of hip swivelling, but many seemed to master it quite quickly - surprising really as the River Colne is not famed for its surf! There was even a set of stocks, with the Chairman of the Parish Council, Ken Jones, being a good sport and also brave enough to try them out!

 (Photos courtesy Paul Neville)                                                 (Photo courtesy Ivan Beales)

The brass band set up in the usual place outside the Albion and as always were superb.

As ever, food and drink was the most popular part of the day.  Pop corn, candy floss, crepes, burgers and hog roast all did a roaring trade.  A hot day guaranteed a good turn out for the Albion's beer festival and the Anchor Inn was packed.

 (Photos courtesy Ivan Beales)

The rowing races were the most entertaining for many a year.  There was the first capsize from an over enthusiastic participant in a canoe, luckily the rescue boat was on hand.

(Photos courtesy Paul Neville)

The blindfold rowing race was great fun, with competitors bumping into the bank, the pontoon and each other.

The smacks had set out a number of hours earlier but the wind dropped and only one came in under sail. 

The Tug of War was the usual tough contest, full of muscle and aggression.  The mens competition was exciting too!

The following fantastic pictures have been sent in by Tim Bees.  Tim also supplied the photograph for this year's programme cover.