Paignton Regatta 2011

We'll meet again...

2011-08-14T23:45:00.008+01:00

That's all, folks, as the original Looney Tunes used to say.
Thanks all round. Thanks to all of you who came and joined in the fun, thanks to all of you who worked so hard to put it on. Thanks to all of you who sponsored us and became patrons, and thanks to all of you who dug into your pockets to help us raise money for charity.
We're not quite sure what will become of Paignton Green between now and August 2012, but we will be back in some form, that's for sure.
Check back here often, because we will let you know how much we raised and for whom, and we will tell you the answers to the quiz. There will also be a slideshow of the best regatta pictures.
In the meantime, here are a few to be going on with...

The busiest day ever?

2011-08-14T00:13:00.003+01:00

FOUR marquees and two gazebos went up, but the Tamar Valley Westerners got their tepee up before us.
It was a great day - we had strong men in the Valhalla Show of Strength, the Westerners, a medieval play, all the usual stalls, the owls, the parrots, an amazing dog show with a record 136 entries, Bays Brewery bringing us a beer tent for the first time in years, the round-the-pier swim and live music on the stage.
We have pictures of all these things, but it's way past midnight and all our phones are dead with the pictures on them.
We will upload when things are back to normal.
You need to know that the best dog in show was an Alsatian puppy, the Topsail was a lovely pint, the swim was won by the brilliant Becky Langman ahead of a field that included a man in a mankini who raised £200 for Rowcroft in the process, and the local bands were great.
You can see - and buy - the best of the dog show pictures at JP Hedge Photography
On Sunday we close with another full day featuring sand sculpting, a cream tea, Brixham Town Band, the Taiko drummers and Songs of Praise.
Click the programme top right for more.

Clouds over Paignton

2011-08-12T23:43:00.004+01:00

First of all, apologies to all those who came to the Green to see the Parachute Regiment's Red Devils display team in action.
Low cloud meant it would have been unsafe to jump, and the display was cancelled right at the last minute. We were gutted, and we know many of you were, too.
All we can do is to apologise, but you can't beat the weather.
Everything else went like clockwork, though.
The owls and the parrots declared peace on one another and the Torbay Lifeboat looked magnificent riding on the high tide in Paignton Harbour.

Entertainer Dan Brazier juggled fire and dispensed wisecracks from the saddle of a tall unicycle, while on two wheels two of the country's top cyclists made light work of the wind and drizzle during the cycle race.
Tour Series racers Ianto Barker and Chris Opie of the Pendragon-LeCol team wore numbers one and two on their backs, and finished in those positions, having led and then lapped the entire field during an hour of high-speed action.

Barker and Opie crossed the finish line together.
Saturday sees yet more action on the Green, with the dog show, all the usual stalls and sideshows, the Valhalla Show of Strength, Bays Brewery's Bar@The Beach and live music from Lesley Presley, The Accused, Fire For Effect and The Humanitarians.
All that, plus the Round-The-Pier Swim.
Click the programme top right for all the details.

Regatta Committee Man Wins The Mile!

2011-08-11T23:33:00.005+01:00

ZAC Warwick, one of our own yellow shirt-wearing regatta volunteers, won a closely-fought Regatta Mile race on the Green tonight.
Multiple champion Pete Monaghan wasn't there to defend his title, but plenty of local runners were ready for a shot at it. meaning we had to run two heats to make sure everyone had a fair race around the tight 200-metre track on North Green.
Just as in 2010 the result was in doubt until the last of the eight laps, with Warwick battling South Devon AC's Tim Hardy and regular holiday visitor Matt Williams.
Warwick powered ahead through the final bend and Hardy overwhelmed Williams in the last 20 metres to take second place. Naomi Flanagan of South Devon AC was the first lady.

From left: Matt Williams, Zac Warwick and Tim Hardy. Picture by Eddie Bairstow
The fastest man over 100 metres was Owen Styler of Torbay AC for the third year running.
There were record entries for the regatta sports meeting, sponsored this year by the Redcliffe Hotel, with strong contingents from hosts South Devon AC and local rivals Torbay AC.
Competition was keen and sporting throughout, and we would like to thank all runners, helpers, supporters and sponsors for their sterling efforts.
Earlier in the day children's entertainers made it a special occasion for our younger visitors.
Tomorrow is another busy day, as you can see from the programme above right. As well as all the stalls and regular attractions, we will be clearing the Central Green for the arrival of the Red Devils. Be there from 1pm for the best view.

Video kindly supplied by www.torbaydesign.co.uk
In the evening the road around the North Green will be closed for cycle racing, with races for youngsters from 5pm and a full-on circuit race for the West Country's best seniors to close the show.

Now the fun really starts!

2011-08-10T19:27:00.004+01:00

WE'VE only just begun, as the Carpenters would say.
Thanks again to everyone who came to the fireworks on Tuesday night, specially those who dug deep and put some coins in the collecting buckets. Times are hard, every penny counts, and the local charities really appreciate your efforts.
We have had loads of favourable comments today about the fireworks. If you are planning a display of your own, remember the quality you saw last night from Pains, who have been our suppliers for many years.
A word for the Fleur de Lys Majorettes from Yorkshire, too. They were excellent, and kept the pre-fireworks crowd well entertained. And, contrary to what we had been told beforehand, they are NOT on their farewell tour of the UK. Far from it, so we hope they will be back next year.
Thursday will be the biggest day of the regatta so far.
On the Green there will be stalls, owls, parrots and face-painting, plus a cross-stitching display and workshop.
It's Children's Day on Thursday, so that means the Enjoy-a-Ball workshops plus a teddy bear's picnic with free entertainment.
In the evening, with the fair gone from the North Green, the track will be marked out for the athletics.
There will be races for all ages with the accent on fun, but at 7.45pm it all gets a bit more serious with the running of the annual Regatta Mile.
Multiple champion Pete Monaghan of Torbay Athletic Club (leading in this picture from the 2010 race) will be back to defend the title he has made his own over the years, but host club South Devon AC will be putting some of their young aces up against him, and there is always the chance of an outsider taking the spoils.
If you haven't got a 2011 Paignton Regatta Quiz yet, you can buy one for a measly £1 at the regatta caravan, where you can also have a look at the latest model Honda Jazz, which has been attracting some keen interest.
Also, if he's in residence, don't forget that you can have your gardening questions answered by our resident expert, Topknee Overlights.

A late finish

2011-08-10T00:45:00.005+01:00

Forgive us for being a bit brief tonight, but by the time everything was taken down, tidied up and packed away, it wasn't Tuesday any more.
Thanks to everyone who came to the fireworks, thanks to the Fleur de Lys Majorettes and thanks to Pains Fireworks for doing us proud again with an amazing display.

Tomorrow we will tidy the back of the van and clean the sand off the stakes and the rope.
We might also get our resident gardening expert, Topknee Overlights, a new pair of glasses from the 99p shop to replace the ones he broke today and repaired with masking tape.
Thanks again everyone!

Light the blue touch paper...

2011-08-08T23:36:00.003+01:00

Well, things have moved on a bit since those days, but the excitement is the same.
On Tuesday night at 9.30pm we will all be going 'oooh' and 'aah' down on the Green like eight-year-olds, because that's when the 2011 display starts.
To get you in the mood, here's a video from the www.thisisdevon.co.uk website to get you in the mood.

There will be some road closures for safety reasons on the night, and a large exclusion area around the fireworks, once again imposed for safety reasons, will be created.
Please be patient and observe the exclusion areas. The fireworks won't start if there are people in harm's way.
In other news, we are grateful to some more regatta patrons who have joined our list of £10 heroes. They are all named a little way down on the right hand side, so please make use of their businesses and services.
There is an addition to the programme, too.
There will be a Tae-kwon Do display on the Central Green on Sunday at 11am. Don't miss it. It was really spectacular last year.

Making Ollie Happy

2011-08-07T23:45:00.003+01:00

SEE Ollie here?
He's a happy fellow because he gets to sit on the Green and meet the people who are already flocking in to use the fairground rides.

He's also happy because so many local people and businesses are supporting the regatta this year.
For just £10 you can be a Patron of the regatta, which means you get your name printed in the list on the right (scroll down a bit). You also get our gratitude, the knowledge that you have helped this great community event in a practical way, and you get a wag of Ollie's tail for good measure.
If you come down to the Green this week you might even get to meet him in person.
The fair arrived this evening, and plenty of youngsters have already been using the children's rides on Central Green.
It's all building up nicely. Come on down!

And we're off!

2011-08-06T23:01:00.003+01:00

PAIGNTON Regatta 2011 is under way!
The fine boat rowing took place today, with a series of races organised by Paignton ARC for crews from all over the West Country.
Not that we are partisan or biased in any way, but we are delighted to report that Paignton recorded two race wins during the meeting.
Meanwhile, on the Green the first of the Anderton and Rowland fairground rides have arrived.
Tomorrow the rest of the fair gets here, and the fun can really start.
See you on the Green!

Flyers

2011-08-04T22:47:00.006+01:00

THE printing team have been busy again.
After they finished the programme and the quiz we set them to work creating flyers for some of our events. We might let them out into the daylight soon.
Please feel free to download, print and display these anywhere you like.

It's not rain....

2011-08-03T23:04:00.005+01:00

...it's the sound of sunshine coming down, as Michael Franti says in this rather excellent summer song

The song has no relevance to Paignton Regatta, by the way. We just like it.
So don't worry about the weather. We'll have a good time whatever happens. Maybe this should be the anthem of Paignton Regatta 2011!
One of the events that has really taken off in the last couple of years is the Round-the-Pier Swim, which this year takes place on Saturday August 13 from 6pm.
It's a tough test, but plenty of people are ready to have a go, and we welcome all-comers, the fast, the slow and the doggy-paddlers.
If you want to have a crack at it, pop round to the harbour, find Harbour Sports (it's next to the rowing club) and ask Frank, who is a very nice man, to let you have an entry form.
Also on the evening of Saturday August 13 there is a quadruple bill of live music on the Green. We start with regatta regular Lesley Presley doing Elvis as only he can, followed by the rock sound of The Accused. Feisty four-piece Fire For Effect - Paignton lads all of them - are up next, while the night's headliners are popular local rock combo The Humanitarians.
See you there!

Here's a question for you

2011-08-02T23:11:00.002+01:00

Do you put the jam on first, or the cream?
It's important, and we're going to find out on Sunday August 14 when the Paignton Regatta Committee invites you to a cream tea.
They say the Cornish put the jam on first, then the cream, while we Devonians go cream first, and then jam. Or is it the other way round?
To be honest, we don't mind which way round you do it. Just come and join us for a traditional cream tea on the last afternoon of the regatta, when you will also be able to watch a demonstration by Dance Works Devon, play Pontoon or Bust with the hilarious Adi Byng, listen to the Brixham Town Band and marvel at the Taiko drummers.
After all that, pause to reflect with the Songs of Praise service which closes the 2011 regatta.
All the key information is in the programme. If you haven;t got a copy yet, scroll down this page and you will see one in the article headlined 'Regatta 2011 - The Programme Is Ready'. If it looks a bit small, click to make it larger.

Not long to go now!

2011-08-01T23:44:00.001+01:00

It's late on Monday night, nearly Tuesday in fact, and the committee has been meeting to discuss the final arrangements for the 2011 regatta.
It all gets under way with the fine boat rowing on Saturday August 6, with crews from all over the West Country coming to race on an open-sea course off the beach.
In response to some email questions, the crabbing competition takes place on Friday August 12 at Goodrington Quay, starting at 6pm. You don't have to enter in advance. Just turn up and start catching!
It has also been confirmed that the Fleur de Lys majorettes from Yorkshire will be joining us in the arena before the fireworks on Tuesday August 9. Regatta veterans with good memories will recall that the Fleur de Lys used to be annual visitors. They are on their farewell tour this year, we are told, so please make them specially welcome.
More updates throughout the build-up to the regatta.
Don't forget that you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Regatta 2011 - The Programme is ready!

2011-07-13T11:14:00.001+01:00

PARACHUTES, pigs, pyrotechnics and pints are all on the packed programme for Paignton Regatta.
The full programme for the 2011 event has just been released, with eight days of entertainment planned on Paignton Green.
The regatta begins on Saturday August 6 with championship rowing races off Paignton Beach, and continues the following day with the arrival of the Anderton and Rowland funfair which stays until the following Wednesday.
On Tuesday August 9 at 9.30pm Pains’ famous fireworks display will be the climax of an evening of music and entertainment.
From Thursday August 11 until Sunday August 14 the Green will host daily craft and leisure stalls, Torbay Owls, Parrot Rescue, face-painting, airbrush tattos and a Bees and Trees exhibit.
On the Thursday the spotlight is on children’s activities, including workshops, activities, entertainment and a teddy bears’ picnic.

In the evening the North Green will host South Devon Athletics Club’s athletics meeting, with races for children and adults culminating in the annual Regatta Mile race at 7.45pm.
There will be more entertainment on the Green on Friday August 12, leading up to the arrival of the Red Devils display team from the Parachute Regiment, landing on the Green from 15,000 feet shortly after 2pm.
There will be cycle racing around the North Green in the evening from 5pm, with races for youngsters and an hour-long race featuring the West Country’s best riders.
The Torbay lifeboat will be in the harbour on Friday August 12 from 6pm.
Saturday August 13 begins with horticulture and beekeeping displays on the Green, entertainment and an artists’ workshop.
Other highlights will be Bay’s Brewery’s Bar@TheBeach, the spectacular Valhalla Show of Strength, the Tamar Valley Westerners, a Medieval display and play and the popular Fun Dog Show.
Live Music on the stage on the Saturday evening features Lesley Presley, The Accused, Fire For Effect and The Humanitarians, while the Round-the-Pier Swim takes place at 6pm.
Sunday August 14 will be the final day of the 2011 Paignton Regatta, featuring rounders on the North Green, displays of horticulture, bee-keeping and sand sculpture, dance displays, Brixham Town Band, the Taiko Drummers and Songs of Praise at 5pm.
Entertainer Adi Byng brings his Pig Racing and Pontoon Or Bust gameshow to the Green on the Sunday.

Valhalla here we come!

2011-05-09T23:32:00.004+01:00

A MOST successful regatta committee meeting tonight, with plenty of new ideas.
It was a beautiful evening over the bay, and got us in the right mood to think ahead to the big event, which is now only three months away.
The chairman even had his Hawaiian shirt on to celebrate!
For a start, we will welcome the Valhalla Show of Strength to the Green on Saturday August 13.
This will be a chance for bodybuilders from all over the country to come to Paignton and test their skills in a series of strength challenges.
Some big names in the world of bodybuilding are lined up to come and show off their abilities.
The South Devon Players will be joining us on Saturday August 13, and that night's live music programme is also taking shape.
Sunday August 14 will see the return of the much-loved Japanese Taiko drummers and an art workshop, alongside the events already organised (see the panel on the right for the latest information).
There will even be a chance to try your hand at sand sculpture on the beach on Sunday August 14, courtesy of artist Peter Thorne.
Check back often for all the details as they become available.

May Day! Time to unveil the new programme

2011-05-01T21:09:00.003+01:00

WELCOME to the re-designed Paignton Regatta website, all shiny and new for 2011.
As you will have heard by now, there will be no play park on the Green until the autumn at the earliest, so that means we have revived our programme for one more year at least.
The provisional dates are in the panel on the right hand side of this page.
The big news is that the fireworks are very much back on again, and the Red Devils will be joining us for the third year in a row.
There will be beer and pig racing, owls and bees on the Green.
The Red Devils' spectacular drop on to the Green has become a firm favourite with the holiday crowds, and they seem to enjoy the hospitality of Paignton on a summer's day!
There have also been some changes on our committee, with Ken Robertson moving 'upstairs' to the role of President after a long and distinguished spell as chairman. Julie Norman is our vice-president.
Al Wyatt has moved from vice-chairman into the hotseat vacated by Ken, and Rachel Tapper has become the new vice-chairman. Becky Tapper is our new secretary for 2011.
This thing here

is a QR Code. If you scan it with your mobile phone, and your mobile phone has a barcode scanner and the internet, it will take you to this website.
Please feel free to cut it out and paste it on your own websites or blogs, or print it out and display it around the place.
People with iPhones can't resist scanning QR codes, and who can blame them? It will all help to spread the word about our great event.

There has been some sad news. We are very sorry to report the death of Mo Procter, a long-time supporter of Paignton Regatta. Mo was such a great ambassador for the regatta during her husband Tony's time as chairman, and as Ken said, we will all miss her smiling face on the Green and her readiness to muck in and help with whatever needed doing. Our thoughts are with Tony and all the family.

Game on!

2011-03-23T13:44:00.002Z

DEVELOPMENTS in the children's play area saga (it isn't going to start now until September) mean we are right back in business.
Check back here very soon for all the details.

Regatta 2011 - Latest News

2011-02-23T10:00:00.002Z

Due to the complete lack of information forthcoming about the proposed play park on Central Green, we took the decision not to proceed with many of the land-based arena events for the 2011 regatta.
We have now learned, not from the 'community partnership' but through the Herald Express, that work on the play park will not begin until September, a full 11 months after the original scheduled start date.
We are meeting on Monday February 28 to discuss how to proceed. We may be able to restore some of the events to the programme.
Click back here for the latest information immediately after that meeting.
We can only apologise for the confusion, which is in no way our doing...

Barrie scoops the big prize

2010-10-13T11:47:00.003+01:00

The Graham Norman Shield means a lot to Paignton Regatta.
It has been given in memory of Graham, who died shortly after the 2009 regatta and left a huge hole in the event.
The idea of the shield is to recognise a person or organisation that typifies the Graham Norman spirit in all respects.
There couldn't be a more worthy winner for 2010 than Barrie Riley, the man who organises our arena events and whose ex-Para determination has brought us the Red Devils for the last couple of years.
He is pictured (right) receiving the trophy from our chairman Ken Robertson.

The answers are here!

2010-08-23T23:31:00.000+01:00

Click on the image to make it larger.

Thanks to everyone who had a go. You helped us raise a lot of money for the RNLI and local charities.
Details of exactly how much will be published soon.

Wet dogs and mad Englishmen

2010-08-14T23:06:00.005+01:00

THERE were 92 dogs in the Paignton Regatta dog show today, and it was a massive success.
Up on the South Green the fine boat rowing regatta brought the proceedings on the water to a close, and down on the North Green the rounders tournament was hard-fought. On the prom, strong men limbered up for tomorrow's big contest by taking turns to pull heavy lorries.
Then, just as the dog show was being packed away and the rower were collecting their prizes, the heavens opened. It rained harder than we have ever seen it rain on the Green before, with a clap or two of thunder thrown in for good measure.
It was all over in about five minutes, but the Green was briefly under water and not even a sun dance by the committee could make it go away.
Give it half an hour, though,and the water soaks away and the sun comes out again. That's the way it has been this week.
We took a minute to drink a toast to absent friends tonight, then got on with the business of preparing for a big final day, with more strong men, more VWs than you could shake a stick at, Taiko drummers and songs of praise.
Our absent friend wouldn't have let us stay idle for long!
THE WINNER OF THE TANDEM SKY-DIVE WITH THE RED DEVILS WAS NEIL CROSSLAND FROM COUNTY GALWAY, WHO WAS ON THE GREEN TO HEAR HIS NAME PULLED OUT OF THE HAT BY THE TEAM. NEIL WILL BE COMING BACK ACROSS THE WATER TO TAKE HIS JUMP WITH THE TEAM SOME TIME IN 2011. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED THE COMPETITION.

Devils' great dive...

2010-08-14T00:15:00.004+01:00

THE Red Devils really did us proud with a fantastic display today, dropping on to the Green from a clear blue sky despite strong winds which threatened to cause the whole display to be called off.
The 10 members of the team defied the tricky conditions to put on a thrilling show, and the traditional freefall baton was presented to Julie Norman at the end. She had celebrated by having a special commemorative T-shirt made...

The team then made their way to the Parachute Regiment memorial in Torbay Road for a wreath-laying ceremony.
Elsewhere the cycle racing was spectacular, with an action-packed hour around the North Green resulting in a win for riders from the Pendragon team.

Saturday means rowing and the dog show. Sunday means Dubs at the Beach and the strongman competition.
Monday means the start of planning for next year...

Pete pulls it off again - but only just!

2010-08-12T23:45:00.003+01:00

TORBAY Athletic Club's Pete Monaghan won the closest Regatta Mile race anyone can remember on the Green tonight.
Pete made it eight wins in 10 goes at the event with a last-minute lunge to cross the line with a margin of about six inches.
Afterwards a delighted Pete said: "I don't know where I got the strength for that last sprint. It was very close."
In a packed field of more than a dozen runners, Monaghan broke free in the company of clubmate Zac Warwick, regular holiday visitor Matt Williams and Jamie Dent from the host club South Devon AC.
Going into the last 200-metre lap any one of the four could have taken victory, and going up the back straight Williams held a slender lead. However, an all-out sprint for the line saw Monaghan dip just ahead of Warwick with Williams beaten into third place from Dent.
It was the culmination of a superb night of athletics which featured everything from sack races and the egg-and-spoon to the mile itself.
Owen Styler, also from Torbay AC, took away the trophy for the fastest 100m after an almost nonchalant blast down the track laid out on North Green.
In the morning preparations begin for the Red Devils to arrive. Be there at 2pm to see them in the flesh.

A day that went swimmingly

2010-08-11T23:46:00.004+01:00

MAGIC, music and colouring were the keys to a great day's entertainment for youngsters at our annual Teddy Bears' Picnic.
More than 60 youngsters brought their beloved bears for the picnic, and enjoyed the antics of entertainer Colin John as well as Seaward the Dragon, mascot of Woodlands Leisure Park.
The picnic was part of a busy programme which also saw crowds gathering for the Round-The-Pier Swim.
A full field of 36 swimmers - the maximum allowed - charged into the sea off the beach, swam around the end of Paignton Pier and then headed back to the beach.
Winner was Kalon Veale (pictured with organiser Frank Sobey), who even had time for a slight deviation off course when he was dazzled by the low evening sunshine. Second was Steve Clarke and third man home was Chris Beardsmore. First lady was Becky Langman from Anne Felton and Abi Hawman. Dan Alberici was the fastest youngster, followed by Sam Good and Eve Hughes.
Thursday brings craft stalls and model engineering to the Green, with the athletics meeting on the North Green from 6pm. The Regatta Mile will be run at 7.45pm.
There are still quizzes to be had, and the chance to win a tandem skydive with the Red Devils.

Amazing!

2010-08-11T00:24:00.002+01:00

IT'S late, we're all tired, but the Green is clear again and the fireworks were fantastic.
The wartime theme worked perfectly, the music was great, and thanks to a very large number of people including Pains, Barrie, Radar, Palm, the Army, Lorraine and her collectors, the carnival chaps, and most of all the people who came to watch, and brought their coins with them. The buckets were heavy come the end of the night.
Sorry if we have left anyone out of the thanks list. We'll have a look again in the morning when we're awake...
It's the Teddy Bears Picnic on Wednesday morning, by the way, and the Pier Swim in the evening.

Man the lifeboat!

2010-08-09T23:29:00.003+01:00

THE Torbay lifeboat looked tremendous in Paignton Harbour tonight. coming in on the rising tide just after the Paignton ARC youngsters had brought Wave Dancer in after their training row.
Coxswain Criddle brought the Beth Sell = standing in for Torbay's regular lifeboat which is in for a service - alongside after Ken Lane had moved the Dart Princess out of his way, without the use of any bow thrusters, as he pointed out.
A queue of people went on board for a look at the impressive lifeboat, and hopefully Mike and his collectors got a few coins in their buckets.
Elsewhere the stamp collectors had a busy day on the Green and the allotment garden is finished, complete with Anderson shelter.
There was dancing and singing, and moving to the grooving, and some impromptu ballroom steps from the committee.
On Tuesday it's fireworks, with the first firework a little after 9.30pm. The fun starts well before that, however, so come down and see us.
Don't forget, the quizzes are still being sold, you can still win a tandem sky dive with the Red Devils, and the fairground is still in full swing.

Phew what a scorcher!

2010-08-08T10:59:00.006+01:00

IT'S a scorcher down here on the Green today, and there's plenty going on.
Come down and have a go on the fair, win a tandem sky dive, watch the dancers, have a go at belly dancing yourself, cheer on the rowers or admire the beautiful owls and falcons.
ShelterBox are here showing the amazing things they do to help when disaster strikes.
You can have a go at building a house Elizabethan-style, watch the wartime allotment garden taking shape, have a go on the big slides or just sit down with an ice-cream and soak up the atmosphere.
We've got something for everyone, we think. Come on down and see for yourself!

LATE NIGHT UPDATE

WE were busy down on the Green today, and all in a good way.
The minute we posted the picture of the sun-soaked beach the sun went in, but it didn't stop the crowds from coming.
The Bees and Trees man built a house and let people stroke his mice; the horticulturalists built an Anderson shelter and the rowers had another great day on the water.
Up on the South Green by the harbour a man in a blazer who was basically the King of UK Rowing gave the event his seal of approval, and a team from Plymouth said it was the best-organised event they had been to yet. Karen was smiling the smile of a good job well done, and her team were relaxing with a small glass or two of Bays Brewery's finest. It would have been churlish of us not to join them.

A huge eagle nearly carried off our secretary, some martial artists put on a great display and the belly dancers charmed everyone, especially Gerry.
We had live music on stage and the regatta quiz sheets have been selling like hot cakes.
Oh, and everyone wants to have a go at the tandem sky dive with the Red Devils, judging by the number of people entering our competition.
On Monday we've got more music and dancing, plus a chance to see the Torbay Lifeboat up close when she comes into Paignton Harbour at 6.30pm.

Full steam ahead!

2010-08-07T14:40:00.003+01:00

A cavalcade of vintage tractors got us under way today.
They made a splendid sight as they made their way from the Green up to the Steam Fair at Churston.
Down on the Green today we have owls and falcons, a gentleman building an Elizabethan house and a hedgehog in a tiny house.
The horticultural society have their annual show in a tremendous space-age marquee and the gigs are racing off the beach.
There's still plenty of time to come down and join us.
If not, see you tomorrow!

Can you ride tandem?

2010-08-02T22:25:00.005+01:00

HOW would you like to win a tandem sky-dive with the Red Devils?
Too good to be true?
Not a bit of it. One lucky Paignton Regatta visitor will win a tandem dive with the Parachute Regiment's ace display team.
Click the video for a look at what's in store.

The team drop over Paignton Green at 2pm on Friday August 13, and when they have reached terra firma they will draw the name of the lucky winner out of the hat.
All you have to do is buy a £1 ticket from the regatta committee HQ caravan some time during the week, and your name will go into the draw. You can buy as many tickets as you like for this amazing prize.
If you can't find the caravan, just look for one of the regatta volunteers in the yellow shirts and we'll point you in the right direction.
Any profits made from the competition will go to the Parachute Regiment's charities, the Afghanistan Trust and the Parachute Regiment Charity.

Now with added rowing!

2010-08-02T22:18:00.002+01:00

ROWING fans have no fewer than three disciplines to enjoy during the course of the regatta.
As well as the gig rowing and skiff racing, there is a new category for FISA Sea Boats, with racing on Sunday August 8. About 10 crews are expected to join Paignton ARC as they celebrate the christening of their new boat.
Named Wave Dancer by one of the club's youngsters, the boat will be christened on the beach at 10.30am before being launched into the racing.

Round the Pier Swim - August 11

2010-07-27T23:30:00.008+01:00

THE event that does exactly what it says on the tin. You get in the sea and you swim round the pier. The winner is the first to get his or her feet on the sand and race through the finishing line.
You can request an entry form at the Harbour Sports website, or go and see Frank at the shop, which also does the tin thing. It's a sports shop, and it's on the harbour. If you can't make it in person, click here.
Here's the small print.

My, that IS small, but if you click it you will get a bigger version which you can print off, fill in, and take round to Frank with a crisp fiver.
Simples...

Here it is!

2010-07-15T13:18:00.004+01:00

AMENDMENT: The stamp exhibition will be on the Green on Monday August 9 and not on Thursday as previously published.
AS promised, here's the up-to-date programme of events, hot off the press!
CLICK IT TO MAKE IT BIGGER
And here's the cover of the free programme which will be available very soon.

The countdown begins

2010-07-13T23:23:00.002+01:00

THE official programme is nearly ready, and the final details will soon be published here.
It's all very exciting.
The list of events is on the right hand side of this web page. They are all somewhere in the middle ground between 'provisional' and 'definite' right now, so check back often for more news.
We know there is going to be a parade of vintage tractors on the Green on the opening Saturday morning (August 7). Our friends at the Torbay Steam Fair are behind this unusual event, a kind of concours d'elegance for tractors.
It should be a sight to behold.
The horticultural society are, as usual, full of snippets of news. They are building an Anderson shelter to be placed on the Green as part of our wartime theme, marking 70 years since the Battle of Britain.
Apparently it has grown a bit, and they need some help with transport.
Elsewhere, the regatta committee ladies are vying for the best jobs on Friday 13th. That would be jobs very close to the brave boys from the Red Devils, who drop in that day.
There will be lots of rowing, too, with the possibility of some extra races on Sunday August 6 to add to an already-busy rowing programme.
Once again, watch this space....

Meet our Honorary Patron 2010

2010-05-10T23:11:00.002+01:00

DAME Vera Lynn has kindly agreed to be our Honorary Patron for the 2010 Paignton Regatta.
With the events of 2010 having a wartime theme to mark the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, Dame Vera seemed a natural choice, and she very kindly agreed.
She wrote: "I wish you all a very happy and successful regatta for 2010.
"Let us hope the sun shines on you all!"

Great News! They're dropping in again!

2010-02-08T23:12:00.006Z

THERE was plenty to celebrate at tonight's regatta committee AGM, principally Barrie's confirmation that the Parachute Regiment's Red Devils freefall display team will be back for 2010.
They will be jumping over the Green at 2pm on Friday August 13.
A good date?
"They're not superstitious and neither am I!" Barrie told the committee.
Picture by Mike Dimmock
Charity donations were also decided tonight, with £1,500 confirmed for the RNLI from the proceeds of the 2009 regatta, and a unanimous vote in favour of buying a ShelterBox for £500. The need for these things is great in Haiti right now, and the regatta committee wanted to do their bit.
If you want to get involved with Shelterbox, click here for details of their work.
More donations for charities totalling £2,075 were also agreed.
If you gave to the collections last summer, thank you. Your money is starting to do some good work.
Elsewhere, there is much work going on for the 2010 regatta.
Ken has agreed to stay as chairman for another year. In fact the whole committee stood up to be counted en bloc.
Some more dates have been firmed up, meaning the list on the right of the page is getting ever longer.
The rowing club have taken delivery of their new wooden gig, and can't wait to race it against the West Country's finest in August.
The printed programme is taking shape already. If you want to advertise in it, call the chairman on the number at the foot of this page and he will take down your particulars.
Keep coming back to this website often, because the programme is going to start taking shape quickly from now on!

The Spirit of the Regatta

2010-01-11T23:31:00.003Z

TONIGHT'S committee meeting dealt with many things, not least of them the loss of the first round in the battle to save the Green, but the most important thing was the presentation of a new award.
Julie and Rachel decided to instigate the new award in memory of Graham, whose hard work for the regatta was always shot through with a mischievous sense of humour.
They decided the Graham Norman Shield should go to the person, group or discipline that had done the most to encapsulate the Spirit of the Regatta.
The inaugural award went to the Paignton Horticultural Society, whose hard work, enthusiasm and good humour went such a long way in making the 2009 regatta so memorable.
Remember all those fresh eggs and top quality veg?
More dates for the 2010 regatta have been confirmed (see the list on the right). As 2010 marks the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, there will be a 1940s theme to many of the events.
There was even a suggestion that members of the committee should sport handlebar moustaches for the week....
The plan to put a play park on Central Green has gone through Torbay Council, and is now dependent on Lottery funding.
Many letters of objection have been sent to the lottery people, pointing out the public opposition to the plan. We shall have to wait and see what their decision is. If the lottery cash bid is agreed, the 2010 Paignton Regatta will certainly be the last of its kind, as the bulldozers will move in on Central Green shortly after we have finished.
Are we downhearted? No! We're going to throw everything, including the kitchen sink, at this year's regatta week!

Facebook

2009-11-09T23:13:00.003Z

Regatta committee met tonight, with lots of discussion on the future of the Green in the face of the play park plans.
There is a Facebook group here (click this bold type) on which you can have your say, and you can also sign our online petition.
The closing date for our paper petition is November 22, so if you haven't signed yet, please do so ASAP!
Click this link to catch up on the latest news regarding the plans.
There wasn't much else on the agenda tonight, but one more event has been firmed up for 2010.
Emergencies permitting, the Torbay RNLI lifeboat will be in Paignton Harbour on Monday August 9 from 6.30pm.

We've got a new email box!

2009-10-28T12:23:00.003Z

You can now send emails direct to paigntonregatta@gmail.com
Please use this email address to ask us any questions about the regatta or to send us any material on your events/promotions.
Don't stop leaving comments on this blog, though.
We love to hear from you whatever your thoughts on Paignton's biggest summer event!

Paignton Green

2009-10-12T16:17:00.002+01:00

THERE are plans for a £450,000 new playground in Paignton, and the prime site at the moment for the project is the Central Green.
Be assured that we are not crying wolf when we say that the proposed park, if it were to go ahead on the Central Green, would have a catastrophic effect on Paignton Regatta.
Events on the Central Green would be squeezed into a much-reduced area, and those that spilled onto the North Green would drastically reduce our capacity there. Many traditional events would have to be cancelled.
Torbay Carnival and BMAD are similarly compromised by the plans.
We are 100 per cent behind a playground for the children of Paignton and further afield, but we are 100 per cent against having it built on Central Green.
A public consultation will take place over the next month or so. Please be sure to make your feelings known, whether or not you agree with us.
Thank you.

Graham Norman (1945-2009)

2009-09-23T11:18:00.001+01:00

TORQUAY Crematorium was packed yesterday for a service to celebrate the life of Graham Norman, who died last week.
Later his friends and family gathered at the Paignton Club to raise a glass in memory of Graham, who was a key member of the regatta committee.
With his wife Julie, he produced our souvenir programme, created and administered the quiz and contributed to the regatta in more ways than we can count.
We are all going to miss him terribly, and will make sure that his extraordinary work is continued in years to come.

Here they are!

2009-08-26T10:49:00.001+01:00

HERE are the answers to the 2009 Paignton Regatta Quiz. Thanks to everyone who took part. I hear they are already working on next year's...

1. Wikipedia 51. Dalmations
2. Dominos pizza 52. Weddings and a Funeral
3. Halifax Bank Of Scotland 53. Spots on a Dice
4. Mitsubishi 54. Carats in Solid Gold
5. Channel 4 55. Old Pennies in a Pound
6. Abbey National 56. Musketeers
7. Royal Doulton 57. England Won the World Cup
8. Special Air Service 58. Wheels on a Tricycle
9. James Bond 59 Two Little Ducks
10. Walls 60. One Less Than a Hundred
11. NFU Mutual 61. Directory Enquiries
12. Dove 62. Numbers on a Bingo Card
13. Nike 63. Playing Cards in a Pack
14. Interflora 64. Turtle Doves
15. Readers Digest 65. Pennies in a Pound
16. Emporio/Georgio Armani 66. Days in a Fortnight
17. Environment agency 67. Brides for Seven Brothers
18. Children in need 68. Three Score Years and Ten
19. London Olympics 69. Blackbirds Baked in a Pie
20. Fosters 70. Icecream with a Flake
21. ING Direct 71. One Dozen
22. Switch 72. Steps
23. Microsoft 73. Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs
24. TUI / Thomson 74. Legs
25. Unicef 75. Men and a Baby
26. Liberal Democrats 76. Days have Sept, April, June and Nov
27. HM Revenue & Customs 77. Years in a Golden Wedding Anniv.
28. Norwich Union (Aviva) 78. Days in a Year
29. Superman 79. Gold Rings
30. Breast Cancer Care 80. Pensyl. Ave./ The White House
31. Recycle 81. a Stitch in Time Saves 9
32. Fairtrade 82. One Score Year
33. Michelin 83. Points on a Triangle
34. Santander 84. Sides on an Octagon
35. the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds 85. Famous
36. Blue Peter 86. Secret
37. Oxfam 87. Little Pigs
38. Ferrari 88. a Bird in the Hand
39. Barclays 89. Flying Scotsman
40. Spar 90. Around the World in 80 Days
41. Lloyds 91. Metres in a Kilometre
42. Ladybird Books 92. Emergency Services
43. Warner Brothers 93. Balls in an Over
44. Church of England 94. Degrees in a Circle
45. World Wildlife Fund 95. Squares on a Chess Board
46. Toyota 96. Planets in the Solar System
47. Penguin Books 97. Green Bottles Hanging on the Wall
48. Hewlett Packard 98. Signs of the Zodiac
49. United Nations 99. Deadly Sins
50. Conservative/s Party 100. States of America

Quiz answers...

2009-08-21T21:00:00.000+01:00

...will appear here very soon. Keep checking back.

Sunday - Day Nine - That's All Folks!

2009-08-17T00:24:00.003+01:00

It's over, as Roy Orbison would say.
The most successful regatta for years culminated today in the South West Strongman competition and the Dubs at the Beach gathering.
Both were a massive success and the sun shone down on us again.
The strongmen pulled trucks and hauled barrels around, all the time cheered on by a huge crowd.
The VW enthusiasts compared splits and bays, bought bits and pieces and listened to band including Battle of the Bands winners The Quincies and the quite excellent Vivid Sky.
We had a tae-kwon-do demonstration, the Brixham Town Band and Songs of Praise to close.
We cleared the fence panels and the marquees and by now, hopefully, we will have left not a trace on the Green.
If you came down to see us, thanks. We really appreciated the size of the crowds this year.
If you didn't, you missed a treat.
Either way, please leave a comment. Even if you didn't like the things we did, let us know so we can make the 2010 regatta even better.
Check back here for the first news on the 2010 programme. We've got a few ideas already...

Saturday - Day Eight

2009-08-15T23:14:00.004+01:00

The penultimate day of the 2009 Paignton Regatta but there was no let-up in the pace.
The marquee erecting platoon went to work in the rain this morning, and the rounders working party had already marked out the pitch on the North Green.
There were owls and parrots on the Central Green, and a dog show that attracted more entries than ever before. The sun was out by then, which was good as we had washout dog shows in 2007 and 2008.
The rounders ran all day and saw some tough competition. There were reports that one player had even managed to knock a ball right across the prom and on to the beach, which is some hit.
Up at the harbour end the gig racing looked a huge success, with crews from all over the West Country doing battle out on the water, and the beer tent and food marquee doing a brisk trade.
After the packing away was done Jean had the bright idea of heading into town for a couple of bottles of wine and some snacks, at which point we all sat down for an unplanned winding-down session.
This culminated in Lorraine and Julie getting a free slide on Scott's inflatable monster.
Having wound down, we all need to wind up again in time for the morning session, when we have to take down one marquee, put it up somewhere else, put up two other ones and start tidying everything away.
The Volkswagens are coming tomorrow - hundreds of them - and John Baggott is hosting his South West Strongman Competition, which is an event not to be missed.
Music on the Dubs at the Beach stage includes Battle of the Bands winners the Quincies and hotly-tipped local outfit Vivid Sky.
Oh, and some say the Brixham Berserkers are coming back, too...
You have one last chance to come on down and say hello. See you there!

Friday - Day Seven (another late one)

2009-08-14T23:56:00.004+01:00

WHAT a day that was!
We knew it would be a long one, but it was a great one at that.
In no particular order we had visitors from the skies, a newlywed couple, drummers delayed by traffic, another egg, a brush with the law, a close call at the football, a storming bike race and a gloriously successful swim.
The visitors from above were the Parachute Regiment's Red Devils display team, who jumped from about 1,500 feet and landed exactly where they said they were going to, slap bang in the middle of the Green. Beforehand we had expanded the exclusion zone for them, but they are all so skilful they could have landed on a tea towel with about a yard of clear space around it.
Barrie, an ex-Para himself, took the salute and the ladies of the regatta committee behaved quite appallingly when confronted by the Red Devils in uniform...
Newlyweds Kim and Vince Walker from Kidderminster came down to the Green after getting married at Oldway and had their first dance in front of Radar's stage to something smoochy, then walked off into married life with the cheers of the crowd ringing in their ears.
The Kagemusha Taiko Drummers battled through the hell of Kingskerswell to arrive a little late, but their thunderous drums were well worth the wait.
Guinness gave us another regatta egg up on the allotment and your blogger's camera took a direct hit from a young crossbar challenge competitor at the football.You can see the ball just leaving his foot in the picture. Seconds later it would have been much more of a close-up.
The bike race was completed in drizzle yet again, but despite a couple of tumbles it was a huge success and a thrilling contest for overall victory. Pro rider Jon Locke called the shots for much of the race but Chudleigh Knighton teenager Jake Durant took the honours on the line.
We had a record entry for the swim, which pleased Charles no end. Winner was Steve Clarke from Dan Alberici and Becky Langham. It's an event that is going from strength to strength.
And finally, just as we were walking back across the Green in the near-dark, we saw Graham in earnest conversation with the driver of a police car which had pulled up on the prom. Had the authorities caught up with him at last, we wondered?
But only when the police car pulled away was it revealed that Graham had actually managed to sell the officer a regatta quiz for a quid. The man is a legend...
Saturday brings the dog show, gig racing, rounders and live music.
See you there!

Friday - Day Seven

2009-08-14T11:25:00.003+01:00

THE Green looks a bit different this morning.
All the stalls are up on North Green, while the Central green is all cordoned off.
The reason is the arrival of the Red Devils freefall parachute team at 2pm. They will all land in an area the size of a handkerchief, of course, but we need to make plenty of space around them.
Come on down and make sure of a space at ringside.
Before that, the Kagemusha Taiko Drummers will be doing their stuff, with a workshop so you can have a go on the big Japanese drums yourselves.
You'll probably be able to hear them from wherever you are right now.
The football competition is getting under way up on North Green, and later there will be cycling and the round-the-pier swim.
The cycle race starts around North Green at 7pm while the swim goes round the pier at 8.10pm.

Thursday - Day Six (late night update)

2009-08-14T00:50:00.003+01:00

Actually it's well into Friday morning now, but we paused for refreshment at the Inn on the Green on the way home.
Pete Monaghan from Torbay AC won the Regatta Mile for the sixth time. although holidaymaker Matt Williams made him work hard for it. Owen Styler, also from Torbay AC, took away the trophy for the fastest 100m, setting a nippy 12.3s.
The youngsters really enjoyed the 'school sports' races, complete with sacks and eggs and spoons.
Earlier in the day the Alison Axford School of Drama gave a display on the Green and posed for a picture.
Friday at 2pm - note the revised time - sees the Parachute Regiment's Red Devils dropping in. Don't miss it.
Pictures by Anna Henderson and Reg Skoda

Thursday - Day Six

2009-08-13T09:44:00.002+01:00

Despite the gloomy weather forecast, it's dry down here and Radar is playing The Barracudas' 'Summer Fun' at full belt.
It's going to be another good day.
The BMAD night went well, with loads of music and bikes as far as the eye could see.
Today we've got a scarecrow competition going on down on the Green, and the falcons are back, with their barn owl none the worse for its brush with the regatta van the other morning!
The Torbay Philatelic Society are setting up their exhibition now and later in the day there will be an athletics meeting up on the North Green with everything from the egg and spoon race to the Regatta Mile.
The fair is packing away at the moment and soon the North Green will be clear for the track to be laid down for tonight.
It's all go down here...

Wednesday - Day Five

2009-08-12T10:06:00.003+01:00

IT'S the Teddy Bears' Picnic today, and don't worry about those big black clouds.
A little fragile after last night's fireworks exertions, the marquee party nevertheless got the job done this morning and there is plenty of cover just in case we get a shower.
Children of all ages are welcome to the picnic, which will have fun and games, entertainers, music and all sorts of other bits and pieces.
Tonight is BMAD bike night, and other attractions include music from South Devon College at 4pm, the handicap sailing race this evening and, of course, the junior tennis over at Cary Park in Torquay.
Come on down!

Tuesday - Day Four (postscript)

2009-08-11T23:59:00.000+01:00

THE fireworks were awesome, thanks Pains. And thanks, too, to Palm FM for the simultaneous broadcast.
The Green is now clear, the barriers are stacked away and the buckets of change which you all very kindly donated will be counted tomorrow.
The fair is still doing good business, and the sweetie stall is still dispensing top quality goodies.
Space Beacon Earth were great and so were Shot Down, who were on earlier.
It's just past midnight now and we're off home for something to eat and, probably, a bottle of ale.
In the morning all the marquees go up again for the Teddy Bears' picnic, and in the evening the BMAD bike folks have the Green for a night of music and....well.....motorbikes.
Good night all.

We are egg-static!

2009-08-11T17:57:00.001+01:00

THE food doesn't come any fresher than the latest addition to the 2009 Paignton Regatta.
A chicken called Guinness laid the regatta's first fresh egg on the Green on Tuesday.
Guinness is one of the inhabitants of the Paignton Horticultural Society's allotment garden, and she laid her first egg in the hen house which is part of the exhibit.
May Burgess of the horticultural society is pictured with the regatta egg, which is being kept safely in the hope that Guinness produce a whole omelette's worth by the end of the week!

Tuesday - Day Four (morning)

2009-08-11T11:14:00.000+01:00

THE music is thumping out from the stage and the sun is shining down on the Green.
It's beginning to get busy.
The stalls are open, you can get your face painted and the model makers are back for more.
The Safer Communities people are here, and so are Heart FM.
We even had a police dog display (picture by Mike Dimmock)
Tonight the fireworks will see 331 separate launches in 16 minutes, all set to a great soundtrack. If you can't get to the Green, watch them from somewhere else and tune in to Palm FM on 105.5 to hear the simultaneous music broadcast. Clever stuff.
Also, nature lovers might like to know that we have cabbage white butterflies fluttering over the Green, and they have only been here since the allotment was set up. The Paignton Horticultural Society are really doing their bit for nature!
Come on, come down and see us!

Monday - Day Three (afternoon)

2009-08-10T19:20:00.000+01:00

From Delft in Holland, the Groover Big Band, sponsored by Devon School of English and The Boathouse.
We told you they'd be good...and we were right.
No fewer than 20 musicians packed Radar's stage and treated us to two hours of swing, jazz and even a cover of 'Wonderwall'. They were absolutely brilliant and we're all hoping we can twist their arms to come back some time.
Not even a downpour right at the end of their final number could dampen their enthusiasm.
And when it comes to dancing, little Bobby here proved it's not just the Dutch who can groove!Tomorrow it's the fireworks, about 9.30pm from the Green and the beach immediately in front. Come on down and bring your shrapnel. We're collecting for the RNLI and will be more than happy to take your change off you!

Monday - Day Three (lunchtime report)

2009-08-10T12:34:00.001+01:00

A little damp to start with this morning, but the Walmington-on-Sea tent erecting party got the job done as ever.
We did get into a dreadful mix-up with the marquee poles (all my fault - I got my laterals mixed up with my spines, twice) and one gust of wind lifted the face-painting tent right off the ground with about half a dozen of us attached.
Fortunately the gust died away before we ended up in the sea.
Radar is back in charge of the mike after two days of brilliant MC duties from Councillor Dave. Wonder if the karaoke will be as good today...?
Oh, and Barrie nearly ran over a barn owl..
On the Green the Brixham Military Modellers are showing off some amazing work in the marquee, the falcons look fantastic again, the allotment is all finished and there are loads of stalls.
The fair is getting bigger every time we look.
This afternoon it's the Groover Jazz Band from the Netherlands and we're all looking forward to them. If anyone can bring us a bit of sunshine today, my money's on a bit of swinging jazz from Holland. They're on at 4pm.
More later....otherwise come and see us on the Green!

Sunday - Day Two

2009-08-09T09:51:00.000+01:00

More sunshine for Sunday, and loads more fun on the Green.
The Torbay Falconers were here, and the fair was in full swing up on the North Green. The Brixham Berserkers did their stuff, and were lucky to escape unscathed after challenging the local kids to battles. The Berserkers were trying not to injure anyone, but I'm not sure the kids were being so careful!
Kathy Luxton's lovely belly dancers did their stuff, and the Samba Roc Band kept things moving.
The Paignton Horticultural Society got busy building their amazing allotment, and gave away a few hints about their ambitious plans for next year.
On the stage the Tweak Freaks were their usual excellent selves, overcoming a shocking sore throat for their lead singer.
The regatta quiz is now into its second printing, so popular is it. If you want one, bring a shiny pound coin to any member of the regatta committee.
And all of the Paignton Pudding has gone, all 11 stone of it sold. We hope you enjoyed it!
Dance Works Devon also came down and gave us a brilliant display. Picture by Julie Norman
Tomorrow it's the Groover Jazz Band, the Brixham Model Engineers, and loads more fun on the Green.
Come on down!
PICTURES BY AL WYATT and REG SKODA

The Paignton Pudding is here!

2009-08-08T13:21:00.000+01:00

The 2009 Paignton Pudding arrived on the Green on Saturday afternoon, complete with town crier!
The pudding arrived by train thanks to the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway, and Miss Torbay climbed on to the back of Ron Greet's vintage lorry for the procession to the Green.
Hallett's the Bakers did us proud with a magnificent pudding. Several members of the regatta committee have tried it, and several went back for more!
It's stil available on the Green for £1 a slice but it's selling fast!
Westcountry TV were there, and the report should be on their 5pm bulletin on Saturday.

We're under way!

2009-08-07T11:30:00.000+01:00

THE 2009 Paignton Regatta has begun.
Torbay Lifeboat came into Paignton Harbour on the high tide last night, and looked spectacular.
Crowds lined the quay for a chance to go on board and the local RNLI branch had a stall selling souvenirs.
Now it feels like we're really under way. Bring on the pudding tomorrow!
PICTURE COURTESY OF THE HERALD EXPRESS

The Sound of Music

2009-08-05T11:11:00.000+01:00

FROM heavy metal to hymns, the music programme at the 2009 Paignton Regatta has the lot.
Live music will be a central part of the entertainment, with the stage on Central Green hosting a variety of bands.
Highlights include local heroes Morph next Wednesday evening and the spectacular Groover Jazz Band from the Netherlands on Monday afternoon.
The Herald Express Rock Stars band Space Beacon Earth will be playing before the fireworks display on Tuesday night.
With several slots still to be confirmed, the latest line-up is as follows.
Saturday (5pm) to be confirmed.
Sunday (5pm) Tweak Freaks.
Monday (2pm) to be confirmed; (4pm) The Groover Jazz Band.
Tuesday (3pm) to be confirmed; (5pm) Shot Down; (8pm) Space Beacon Earth.
Wednesday (4pm) South Devon College; (7pm) Morph.
Thursday (2pm) Hester Kelly; (4pm) Pitch Bend.
Friday (4pm) White Room.
Sunday (2pm) Brixham Town Band; (4.30pm) Songs of Praise.

Rock Stars lined up for Fireworks Night

2009-08-04T16:52:00.001+01:00

THE sky's the limit for the rock band chosen and named by Herald Express readers.
Space Beacon Earth, the band put together during the award-winning Rock Stars competition, will rocket to the top of the bill on Paignton Regatta's fireworks night next week.
The band are topping the bill on Tuesday August 11, playing at 8pm as crowds gather on Paignton Green for the regatta's amazing fireworks display.
It will be the band's biggest gig yet, having previously played for friends and family at the Spinning Wheel in Paignton and in the Battle of the Bands at Teignmouth Carnival.
At Teignmouth they drew praise from the judges and rock fans alike despite losing out to worthy winners Datura, who went on to play at the carnival's music festival.
Now they are rehearsing new material behind closed doors at the Palace Theatre in Paignton as they prepare to play to a pre-fireworks crowd which could number thousands.
Paignton Regatta begins on Thursday evening with the visit of the Torbay Lifeboat to Paignton Harbour, then continues with a packed programme right through to Sunday August 16.
Live music will be part of the programme each day on Paignton Green.
Details will be available from the stage on the Green or on the regatta website http://paigntonregatta.blogspot.com
Regatta chairman Ken Robertson said: "After a year of hard work and planning, we are ready for the 2009 Paignton Regatta, which should be our best yet.
"We have music to suit all tastes this year, from hard rock to hymns, and we even have a Dutch big band on the Green to make sure everything goes with a swing.
"We are delighted to have Space Beacon Earth on stage with us. One of our main aims is to promote and recognise local talent, and we are really looking forward to hearing this exciting new band."
The Rock Stars competition in the Herald Express and on its website www.thisissouth devon.co.uk was named Best Use of New Media at the 2009 Newspaper Awards.
The band have also recently recorded a three-track CD at the Music Mill studio in Newton Abbot.
Details of how to get hold of a copy of the CD will be published shortly.

Bands do battle

2009-07-22T16:50:00.000+01:00

THE battle is on to find South Devon’s best rock band in time for a date with the Dubs.
Organisers of the Paignton Regatta Dubs at the Beach event, which attracts Volkswagen enthusiasts from all over the country, are looking for their headline band.
And competition for the top slot at the event on Paignton Green on Sunday, August 16 is proving intense.
Seven bands have so far made it through from close-fought heats at the Lime Tree pub in the town centre.
There are two more heats tonight and on July 29 before a semi-final and final.
The winning band will then take centre stage as hundreds of VWs and thousands of enthusiasts gather on the Green
Battle spokesman Simon Keen said: “The competition is going really well.
“There is some real talent out there.”
Bands through from the heats so far are Dirty Blues, MIG, Purple Fiesta, Catch Our Fall, Stone Angels, Lunix and Loose Girls.
Meanwhile, music of a different kind will accompany this year’s Paignton Regatta fireworks on Tuesday, August 11.
Pains Fireworks will present a display based on famous West End musicals with songs from the hit shows of stage and screen.
Pains have recently returned from the World Musical Firework championships in Montreal.
And there is more music on Paignton Green on Monday, August 10, at 4pm when the Groover Big Band, made up of students from the Netherlands, will entertain the crowds.

Recipe for Regatta success!

2009-07-21T12:33:00.000+01:00

ORGANISERS of Paignton Regatta are making sure the anniversary of the arrival of the railway in the town is a stirring occasion.
With the help of local bakers Halletts, the regatta will feature a return of the famous Paignton Pudding.
And this time they hope there won’t be a riot.
“It’s extreme baking,” said Helen Hallett.
“We’re really working hard to get the recipe absolutely right.”
Halletts are currently stirring prototype mixtures ready for the big bake for the regatta next month.
But the basic recipe of sugar, eggs, suet, sultanas, English flour and a handful of secret ingredients will create a steamed pudding three feet high and two and a half feet across.
The pudding has been an occasional Paignton tradition for centuries, and this year’s giant confection will be unveiled on Saturday, August 8 to mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Brunel’s steam trains in the town.
Paignton residents were once known as ‘pudden eaters’, having baked a pudding with flour, suet, raisins and eggs as a token gift to the king for granting the town a charter to hold a market in the 13th century.
The pudding was baked every 50 years for a while, but the most famous is the one that was baked for the coming of the railway in 1859.
A pudding weighing a tonne and a half was carried from Primley to the seafront by eight horses, and the crush from the 18,000 people gathered on the seafront led to rioting.
Since then there have been a handful of Paignton puddings, but thankfully no more riots.
This year the pudding will travel to town on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway before a procession down Torbay Road to the Green.
Helen explained that the idea was to replicate the old recipe as closely as possible with a little updating to appeal to the modern taste.
Individual portions of the pudding will be sold on the day with profits going to Paignton Regatta charities.

2009-07-08T12:22:00.000+01:00

FROM August 8-16, the 162nd Paignton Regatta will bring crowds flocking to Paignton Green. Click the image below for the programme of events. The image will be enlarged.

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