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History |
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The first regatta recorded
to have been held in Heybridge Basin was on the 2nd of August
in 1859, with a military band present to enhance the whole event.
There is little known as to how frequent or if many more were
held before the end of the Century. In the late 1800's Bentall
began to take a serious interest in the area of Barrow Marsh
stretching from the Salt Works to the Canal. He purchased the
Salt Works land and the road leading to the Basin and opened
the previous toll road road to the public. The Salt works area
he used both as a rifle range for his private army, and the place
to build his newly designed yacht the 'Jullanar'. In the late
1890's he formed the 'Blackwater Sailing Club', in the old Granary
by the canal in the Basin. The 'Blackwater Sailing Club', with
the support of Bentall who also used his two barges 'Hyacinth'
and 'Violet' as Committee Boats, held regattas at the Basin until
the outbreak of WW1. In 1902 the 'Blackwater Sailing Club' moved
to the place of the old Salt Works where it has remained to this
day. In the period between the two wars there were more regattas
held until the last of this type was operated from the Sailing
Club in 1937. |
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In 1976 while Alf Woodcraft
and Colin Brookes were rearching the village history, the subject
of the past regatta's was discussed. There was currently a considerable
amount of Smack Racing happening with several already being owned
and kept in the Basin locality. It seemed a great idea if the
Basin Regatta could be re-introduced in the Queen's Jubilee year
in 1977. A meeting was set up in the Jolly Sailor between Cecil
Stebbens, Colin Brookes, Tom Polden, Tony Polden and Arthur Holt.
An outline of the possibilities and what would be involved in
holding the event was discussed. It was agreed to take the results
to a village meeting in the reading room. A well attended meeting
was held where an agreement of a complete formulae was voted
on and established. The Regatta would have three sections to
it (1) Offshore Events, for all sailing vessels. (2) Inshore Events, for all other small craft ie dinghy's, canoes,
rafts etc. And the 'Greasy Pole' over the canal. (3)
Onshore Events,
a disco, Barbecue, Children's competitions including cakemaking
etc. The following organising and operating Committee was elected
...... Chairman Alf Woodcraft. Secretary and Sailing Officer
Colin Brookes. Committee
Boat and Offshore Starter Tom
Polden. Inshore
Starter Cecil Stebbens.
Onshore Co-ordinator Tony Polden. With the use of local facilities
and boat areas provided by Tony Abbott, Mrs Chilcott, Eric Priestley,
Arthur Holt, Cecil Stebbens and George Clark. And invited participation
of the 'Blackwater Sailing Club', and the 'London Borough Of
Newham Outdoor Activities Centre'. Further invites were given
to the watermen of both Maldon and Mersea, with an invite to
all Smack owners. Local business were asked to donate trophy's
and prizes. The programmes were printed by 'Blackwater Printing',
and Prize wining varnished wooden plaques for first three places
in all events were made by Arthur Holt and Colin Brookes. |
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The
highly successfull re-introduced Basin Regatta was held on the
week-end of the 24th of July 1977, |
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with an entry of over
two hundred boats. |
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