By Mike Bodnar (photos by Mike Bodnar)
The groan of disappointment when the Sunbury Regatta was cancelled for the second year running was almost audible across the community. Covid had once again scuppered the annual event, along with many others.
But – as anyone who was near Sunbury Court Island and its backwater in mid-August will know – there was a regatta after all. Small but perfectly formed, the ‘Regatta Blues’ alternative event was held for the riverside communities along Lower Hampton Road and Sunbury Court Island. Not only was it a colourful and fun affair, it raised around £300 for charity.
Conceived by locals Pamela Chapman-Burrell (pictured above) and husband Edward, multiple craft – paddleboards, kayaks, rowing boats, launch-es, cute day boats, even a narrowboat – took part in a colourful flotilla circumnavigating the island. Bunting and flags fluttered in the sunshine, most boats were highly decorated, and at least one had a fierce crew of pirates.
Pamela and Edward, whose houseboat formed the hub for the regatta, said that although Covid had had a huge impact, boating and the easing of lock-down provided an opportunity for a gathering. “Last year when Covid shut down everything for everybody, it was so disappointing”, Pamela re-called. “And we thought, well, we see a lot of people on the river actually exercising and therefore if you had a gathering of boats we’d still be safely far enough away from each other”.
But the local regatta they organised as an escape from Covid had an unexpected extra benefit.
“Last year we put a pot out for donations just to cover the cost of the Pimm’s we supplied”, Pamela explained. “We hadn’t thought of making it a charity fundraiser, but then we took £138, so we thought, hey, this is charitable, so we gave it to the children’s regatta group and also towards the fireworks [for the main regatta]”.
And this August’s event was even more successful. “Because people knew what to expect this year it was more fun. And without the Covid thing hanging over our heads it was much more relaxed”, Pamela enthused.
The day began at 2pm with the flotilla sail-round, followed by a gathering of all the different water-borne craft around the houseboat for Pimm’s, and alongside an ‘ice cream boat’ which did a lickingly good trade.
There followed a duck race, held in memory of local Kevin Knight (of Knight’s Glass in Sunbury). A paddle of plastic ducks was re-leased on the backwater while everyone waited with mounting excitement at the finish line to see whose lucky bath-toy would cross first. It was one of the slowest races ever witnessed, but the duck that finally won was, appropriately, one of six that Kevin had previously bought for his grandchildren to race on the river.
Delicious home-cooked pizzas appeared courtesy of Giuseppe and Karen’s huge riverside pizza oven, slices selling for a suggested £1 donation each, while regatta co-organisers Gudrun and Russ cruised around in their two inflatable kayaks lashed together selling cake and pastries.
There was music too – some actual regatta blues from talented duo Des and Gerry, Des being an island resident himself. Playing from the deck in the houseboat’s garden they entertained an appreciative crowd both on water and, by this time, ashore also.
So not only was there a 2021 regatta – albeit a small local community event – the Shooting Star Trust Children’s Hospice (which Kevin Knight supported) will be receiving around £300. A win-win for all!