The Open Page - Copy 25 ( Regatta Weekender)
5 August 2009
We are all reeling from the horror events on the water over the weekend so you would think this would make people more mindful of safety. But no, some wag thought it hilarious to cut the lifebelt from its 'mooring' yesterday and throw it into the sea. With loads of kids jumping into the sea all day long in risky conditions this lifebelt might be needed at a moments notice. If its not where its supposed to be a life could be lost. Fortunately a policeman spotted it moving away on the tide and organised for one of those zippy motorised harbour inflatables to retrieve it. Which they did with some difficulty. They then passed it on to the 'bobby on the beat' on the jetty, who was careful to remove his hat for fear of that going seaward as well. He is seen here trying to dis-entangle the connection cord as his water borne colleagues arrive to lend support.
These pictures above and immediately below were taken prior to the accident.
At 11am on saturday morning an official opening ceremony took place. The Armed Forces flag was raised on the main flagpole and it was intended that it should remain there for the duration of the event. For some reason best known to the organisers the flag is no longer flying there as I write but has been replaced with a Union Jack. However that apart it was a very good opening ceremony with splendid music provided by the Dover Sea Cadets Band who are shown in the picture above. They are a fine young body of girls and boys and they performed their official function very well indeed and got a terrific round of applause from the gathered onlookers. Well done them.
The picture on the left was taken immediately after the opening flag raising ceremoney and shows from left to right Nick Bailey, the chairman of the Dover Regatta Core Group, next is Deputy Mayor Jan Tranter who was there in an unofficial capacity, then evergreen Dick Liggett also a member of the Core Group. These guys do a fine job with the Regatta. It is a wonderful event with fun for all the family and it was literally enjoyed by thousands and thousands all weekend. It certainly was a more subdued event after the tragic accident but it carried on nevertheless, in softer mode.
The pic on the right shows some of those forumites who dont get photographed very often..these are the ever so jovial guys from that excellent establishment the Ramada Hotel. From left to right Trevor Bond, Jan Tranter again, and Sheli Sheppard, these guys are part of the Ramada sales management team.. all seen here putting on a dynamic balloon fest promotional show for the public. Always enjoy the Ramada myself. 
Some familiar old cronies and forumites here all wandering about enjoying the marvellous event. From left to right Barry Wadsworth-Smith, then Colette Boland, and then those familiar top Tory Boys Charlie Elphicke, the parliamentary candidate for Dover and Deal, and Nigel Collor, Tory Chairman and local KCC and DDC representative.
We will have more pictures from the event in due course including fireworks. PB
Saturday Aug 8. Death at Regatta : Very sad to report that one of the powerboat racers died around mid-day at the Regatta. There was quite a horrific crash between two of the boats. It happened on the last lap of one of the races as we understand it. The two boats collided at high speed. Each boat had two racers onboard and one of those was very severely injured about the head, which resulted in his death. Very sad news this indeed. It happened while the Doverforum team were there, so we experienced it at close quarters as did many people. The Kent Air Ambulance was called but as it turned out, was not needed. I took the shot above a short time later when we saw that the ambulance was still on the beach. It was clear then that there was a lack of urgency. Very sad for the family of the racer and for the organisers of such a lovely event. For the moment we will not put up any of our usual pictures. You can see the racing picture below, taken in an earlier year, which shows both the speed of the racers and the seating arrangement of the drivers in each boat. The picture immediately below shows the Kent Air Ambulance arriving on the scene. It became clear soon afterwards that the ambulance would not be needed.PB
*********************************
Press Release from The Regatta team immediately below.... Dont miss all the exciting events this weekend!
* * * * * *
The weekend of 8th and 9th August will once again see Dover seafront come alive with fun events for all the family with the 11th Dover Regatta.
All the old favourites will once again be in attendance with a few new attractions. Saturday’s main event will be the ever popular Dragon Boat racing with the air sea rescue display at lunchtime. Also on the water will be the powerboat racing and this year for the first time we are pleased to welcome the “thundercats” who will be racing closer to the shore. We are also pleased to confirm that the Newfoundland dogs will once again be in attendance and showing us how they perform rescues in the water and will be willing to meet the public at their displays on Granville Gardens. Also on Granville gardens the Model Boat Association will have their pond and will be pleased to show their boats to the public.
At 11am on Saturday a ceremony will be held to raise the Armed Forces flag on the main flagpole – this flag will then be flown for the duration of the Regatta in support of our armed forces both at home and abroad.
Saturday evening will see the “Just Unique Roadshow” at its best providing the entertainment for the beach party which will of course end with the firework display from the beach at 9.30pm. We are pleased to announce that local talent, Louise Orfilla will be joining in with roadshow this year.
Sunday morning will see the rowing club take to the water with a series of races before the PWRR Tigers freefall team land on the beach at 1pm. At 1.30pm the harbour will once again fill with boats of all shapes and sizes as the Lord Warden joins us to take the salute from the parade of sail.
Once the water is clear of boats the lifeguards will run their 2km sea swim and then the powerboat and thundercat racing will recommence.
The regatta will end at 5pm with the Songs of Praise from the roadshow.
Throughout the weekend the promenade will be full of stalls, activities including circus skills, crafts, small fairground rides and cycle displays as well as a 38metre inflatable assault course. The Skycharter helicopter will once again be providing pleasure flights from the beach on both days whilst various live music will be available from the roadshow stage throughout the weekend. For further information or specific enquiries please contact us by email: info@doverregatta.co.uk
RNLI Release:
Dover Regatta will be a busy weekend for the Dover Lifeboat volunteers. Not only will they be carrying out a Search and Rescue Display (8th) and taking part in the parade of Sail (9th), but this year they are entering a team in the Dragon Boat Racing, and not forgetting being on call for any emergency that occurs in the Channel.
This is not the first time the lifeboat crew have entered the dragon boat racing, which raises money for the RNLI and have a lot to live up to as a previous entry saw them victorious. They will have strong competition from the other teams, particular the Dover Rugby Club Sharks. Volunteer lifeboat crew member Helen Tomkin has set up a JustGiving webpage for anyone who wishes to sponsor the crew in the Race. The safe and secure website can be found at www.justgiving.com/rnlidoverlifeboat. The team is aiming to raise £680 which will be enough for a crew member’s lifejacket and helmet. Miss Tomkin said:”We are really grateful to the other teams that are raising money to support the Lifeboats and Lifeguards around our coasts. We would really like to see people come down to the Sea Front to support all the teams on the Saturday”.
The RNLI will have their biggest ever presence at the Regatta this year. The Dover Lifeboat Fundraisers’ mobile shop, a Sea Safety exhibition unit and a team from the South east’s RNLI educational team, will all be on the Sea Front. The Fundraisers will be selling souvenirs and a wide range of gifts for all ages. The Education team will have interactive games and a sea safety competition. The Sea Safety Road show will be giving advice on all aspects of enjoying being on or near the sea.
Racing picture by PaulB. Lifeboat picture by Paul 'Scotchie' Wells. Many thanks Scotchie once again.
Daylight Yobbery:
We are all reeling from the horror events on the water over the weekend so you would think this would make people more mindful of safety. But no, some wag thought it hilarious to cut the lifebelt from its 'mooring' yesterday and throw it into the sea. With loads of kids jumping into the sea all day long in risky conditions this lifebelt might be needed at a moments notice.
Further Pictures from the Regatta ***********
These pictures above and immediately below were taken prior to the accident.
At 11am on saturday morning an official opening ceremony took place. The Armed Forces flag was raised on the main flagpole and it was intended that it should remain there for the duration of the event. For some reason best known to the organisers the flag is no longer flying there as I write but has been replaced with a Union Jack. However that apart it was a very good opening ceremony with splendid music provided by the Dover Sea Cadets Band who are shown in the picture above. They are a fine young body of girls and boys and they performed their official function very well indeed and got a terrific round of applause from the gathered onlookers. Well done them.
The picture on the left was taken immediately after the opening flag raising ceremoney and shows from left to right Nick Bailey, the chairman of the Dover Regatta Core Group, next is Deputy Mayor Jan Tranter who was there in an unofficial capacity, then evergreen Dick Liggett also a member of the Core Group. These guys do a fine job with the Regatta. It is a wonderful event with fun for all the family and it was literally enjoyed by thousands and thousands all weekend. It certainly was a more subdued event after the tragic accident but it carried on nevertheless, in softer mode.
The pic on the right shows some of those forumites who dont get photographed very often..these are the ever so jovial guys from that excellent establishment the Ramada Hotel. From left to right Trevor Bond, Jan Tranter again, and Sheli Sheppard, these guys are part of the Ramada sales management team.. all seen here putting on a dynamic balloon fest promotional show for the public. Always enjoy the Ramada myself.
Some familiar old cronies and forumites here all wandering about enjoying the marvellous event. From left to right Barry Wadsworth-Smith, then Colette Boland, and then those familiar top Tory Boys Charlie Elphicke, the parliamentary candidate for Dover and Deal, and Nigel Collor, Tory Chairman and local KCC and DDC representative.
We will have more pictures from the event in due course including fireworks. PB
Powerboat Racer dies at Regatta ***************************
Saturday Aug 8. Death at Regatta : Very sad to report that one of the powerboat racers died around mid-day at the Regatta. There was quite a horrific crash between two of the boats. It happened on the last lap of one of the races as we understand it. The two boats collided at high speed. Each boat had two racers onboard and one of those was very severely injured about the head, which resulted in his death. Very sad news this indeed. It happened while the Doverforum team were there, so we experienced it at close quarters as did many people. The Kent Air Ambulance was called but as it turned out, was not needed. I took the shot above a short time later when we saw that the ambulance was still on the beach. It was clear then that there was a lack of urgency. Very sad for the family of the racer and for the organisers of such a lovely event. For the moment we will not put up any of our usual pictures. You can see the racing picture below, taken in an earlier year, which shows both the speed of the racers and the seating arrangement of the drivers in each boat. The picture immediately below shows the Kent Air Ambulance arriving on the scene. It became clear soon afterwards that the ambulance would not be needed.PB
*********************************
REGATTA 09
Press Release from The Regatta team immediately below.... Dont miss all the exciting events this weekend!
* * * * * *
The weekend of 8th and 9th August will once again see Dover seafront come alive with fun events for all the family with the 11th Dover Regatta.
All the old favourites will once again be in attendance with a few new attractions. Saturday’s main event will be the ever popular Dragon Boat racing with the air sea rescue display at lunchtime. Also on the water will be the powerboat racing and this year for the first time we are pleased to welcome the “thundercats” who will be racing closer to the shore. We are also pleased to confirm that the Newfoundland dogs will once again be in attendance and showing us how they perform rescues in the water and will be willing to meet the public at their displays on Granville Gardens. Also on Granville gardens the Model Boat Association will have their pond and will be pleased to show their boats to the public.
At 11am on Saturday a ceremony will be held to raise the Armed Forces flag on the main flagpole – this flag will then be flown for the duration of the Regatta in support of our armed forces both at home and abroad.
Saturday evening will see the “Just Unique Roadshow” at its best providing the entertainment for the beach party which will of course end with the firework display from the beach at 9.30pm. We are pleased to announce that local talent, Louise Orfilla will be joining in with roadshow this year.
Sunday morning will see the rowing club take to the water with a series of races before the PWRR Tigers freefall team land on the beach at 1pm. At 1.30pm the harbour will once again fill with boats of all shapes and sizes as the Lord Warden joins us to take the salute from the parade of sail.
Once the water is clear of boats the lifeguards will run their 2km sea swim and then the powerboat and thundercat racing will recommence.
The regatta will end at 5pm with the Songs of Praise from the roadshow.
Throughout the weekend the promenade will be full of stalls, activities including circus skills, crafts, small fairground rides and cycle displays as well as a 38metre inflatable assault course. The Skycharter helicopter will once again be providing pleasure flights from the beach on both days whilst various live music will be available from the roadshow stage throughout the weekend. For further information or specific enquiries please contact us by email: info@doverregatta.co.uk
RNLI Release:
Dover Lifeboat and the RNLI to have biggest ever presence at Dover Regatta
Dover Regatta will be a busy weekend for the Dover Lifeboat volunteers. Not only will they be carrying out a Search and Rescue Display (8th) and taking part in the parade of Sail (9th), but this year they are entering a team in the Dragon Boat Racing, and not forgetting being on call for any emergency that occurs in the Channel.
This is not the first time the lifeboat crew have entered the dragon boat racing, which raises money for the RNLI and have a lot to live up to as a previous entry saw them victorious. They will have strong competition from the other teams, particular the Dover Rugby Club Sharks. Volunteer lifeboat crew member Helen Tomkin has set up a JustGiving webpage for anyone who wishes to sponsor the crew in the Race. The safe and secure website can be found at www.justgiving.com/rnlidoverlifeboat. The team is aiming to raise £680 which will be enough for a crew member’s lifejacket and helmet.
The RNLI will have their biggest ever presence at the Regatta this year. The Dover Lifeboat Fundraisers’ mobile shop, a Sea Safety exhibition unit and a team from the South east’s RNLI educational team, will all be on the Sea Front. The Fundraisers will be selling souvenirs and a wide range of gifts for all ages. The Education team will have interactive games and a sea safety competition. The Sea Safety Road show will be giving advice on all aspects of enjoying being on or near the sea.
Racing picture by PaulB. Lifeboat picture by Paul 'Scotchie' Wells. Many thanks Scotchie once again.