REFURBISHED - RELAUNCHED - AND READY TO GO REGATTA WHALERS - AUGUST 2019

The recent spell of bad weather relented in time for Members of the Old Dartmothians Association to gather on the jetty at Coronation Park on Sunday morning, 18th August, to witness and participate in the launching of the newly refurbished regatta whalers.
A few weeks ago a cry for help was received from the Regatta committee, who were concerned that the whalers were not in a useable condition for this year's forthcoming events. The whalers are now thirty years old, and were in a sorry state. So, with the material costs covered by the Regatta Committee. Our members volunteered their time, and skills, to bring the boats up to a fitting standard, spending many hundred of hours on the project, as can be seen in our earlier article Whaler Refurbishment.
Our President, Mr Ron Lambden, thanked everyone involved in the project, and in particular Paul Hodge for his huge commitment and logistical support by allowing the use of his premises at Bugford Nurseries. Ron went on to say that he was particularly pleased that members were keeping up with the fine traditions and ethos of our Association, which was founded on the Friday of Regatta in 1923 following a day of especially good rowing.
Ed Botterill, the Regatta Chairman, graciously accepted the handing back of the pristine and fully serviceable whalers, "Britannia" "Friends of Bayards" "Clifton" "Hardness" "Townstal" "Wayhard Castle" and thanked everyone involved, saying he was mightily impressed, with the huge commitment and quality of work, which clearly demonstrated members affection for the town and Regatta. Ed concluded by saying “In truth you have saved the Regatta's bacon”

Photos submitted by member Barry Morris