Nick, if you are reading this in the Limousin, you were missed initially when Charles Harris and Pat Liley struggled to find a way to stop the balloons floating downstream even though weighted with bottles. I will never forget Charles shouting to me ''we need big stones with holes in the middle '' and I thought but where am I going to find them at short notice. The problem was resolved by tying stones with string in a cross which did work. The course was set out and was shorter than in other years but actually worked well in that the race was visible to all. Charles spent an hour cutting back bushes on the jetty and Pat was there to send racers off and catch them when they came in. He did keep shouting up to me, how many more with a hint of tired desperation. These two men got their just rewards at the end when they were presented with ''The Old Nick Trophy'' for sterling work. It needed a good polish, and I did notice Sue Liley saying ''you have it the first six months, Charles''
The children's races were the best attended so far and were keenly fought with Gregory Rust and Maisie Aubrey age 11 ending up winning the Junior Trophy. A bit of a hiccup when the children crowded round for medals and certificates and Lydia McCarthy was presented instead of Madison, promptly to be relieved of her gains to be passed to her sister. Madison had raced , Lydia had not. I then felt dreadful as Lydia went off for a sob! We also missed two deserving children Daisy, age 7 and Poppy Wilson age 5 as we did not have enough certificates, but we will post these on to the little darlings. Well done all.
The very elegant , ribbon bedecked trophy for the Fifi ladies was presented by the Fifi President Linda Hatfield to deserving, placed 4th overall lady Caroline Kirk. Caroline is usually up there with the winners.
Now we get to the real hard fought races where Kevin Scragg and Jenni Davies were the overall champions.
Kevin has had a couple of near misses in previous years, and in fact was drawn with Jenni a couple of years ago and came second. We heard on the grapevine that Kevin was out for a win and he was given a good race by Gregory Rust who had double champion written all over him. But Jenni and Kevin ended up triumphant and Jenni surprised me by choosing the big gaudy trophy edged with gilt [you will have to live with it all year, Jenni!] and Kevin got the most talked about art deco trophy with a squirrel.
Hope everyone enjoyed their picnics in the shade of the trees and a big group enjoyed their fish and chips at the Moulin.
Malc and I had discussed before this 10th Regatta the need to pass on to a younger Commodore for next year and so we will be looking for someone to step forward to take over organising the event. We are still happy to loan the canoes and TAG will still promote it. Speaking to Pat and Charles they will take forward their roles another year and felt they had learned a lot for next year.So who is up for the new post of Varenly Commodore?
Thank you to John for use of his trolley unloading the canoes and Mimi and Kevin Scragg for tidying up and putting away the canoes and Jeremy for the use of his hooter.
TAG's official photographer Peter Hughes was there for the day and so we are awaiting photos of the event.
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| Charles who also manned the rescue / lifeboat Photo by Malc |
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