Hundreds of families turned out for the Heybridge Basin Regatta last Saturday (June 17), as visitors enjoyed raft races, stalls, and the infamous greasy pole pillow fight.

Despite a brief downpour, the weather did not dampen any spirits – but it did send lots of people running to the nearest pub until it stopped. Fortunately, the weather was warm and dry for the rest of the day.

This year's event also featured live music from the Motley Crew and the Hoy Shanty Crew, along with a visit from the West Mersea RNLI Lifeboat.

Regatta Committee Chair Marie Ellis helped organise the event, took part in the raft race, and even stood in as a race commentator following a last-minute cancellation. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

All the money raised this year will go the Regatta and its chosen charities: Farleigh Hospice and Action for Family Carers.

Action for Family Carers is a Maldon-based charity which supports children and young carers throughout Essex.

Stalls selling a variety of locally made goods provided a wide selection for visitors to browse. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Rebecca Loader, Chair of the charity, told Nub News the money will go to help carers from as young as five years old.

She said: "Some children care for a parent or sibling. Before school, they'll do chores to support their families - and may need to cook meals after school.

"They don't have much of a childhood. They need more support."

Hundreds crowded around the lock to watch competitors challenge each other on the greasy pole. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Action for Family Carers provides clubs for children, where they can make friends and meet people living in similar circumstances. It also provides laptops for schoolwork, along with physical, mental, and financial support when needed.

"The money raised at today's regatta will support these young people," Rebecca added.

Heybridge Basin Regatta 2023 Race and Trophy Results:

Onshore

• Children's Cupcake Decorating: James Bird (First Place), Leksy Taylor (Second Place), Zoe Hearley and Freddie Davis (Joint Third Place)
• Adult Cakes: Marion Hobden (First Place), Sharman Milsted (Second Place), Chrys McPherson (Third Place)
• Photo Competition: Christina Lyons (First Place), James Crisp (Second Place), Jane Gallant Hall (Third Place)
• Chairperson's Choice: Rick Sutton
• Adult Men's Welly Wanging: Joe
• Adult Women's Welly Wanging: Shelley
• Children's Welly Wanging: Jacob

The infamous Greasy Pole Pillow Fight saw lots of competitors take a dip in the lock. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Inshore

• Swimming: Lewis (First Place), Jamie Flynn (Second Place), Joffrie (Third Place)
• Men's Sculling: Harley Swann (First Place), Mark Farthing (Second Place), Clint Swann (Third Place)
• Men's Single Rowing (Double Oar): Harley Swann (First Place), Clint Swann (Second Place), Mark Farthing (Third Place)
• Men's Double Rowing (Single Oar): Clint Swann and Harley Swann (First Place), Scott Ellis and Richard Knight (Second Place), Mark Farthing and Jamie Flynn (Third Place)
• Fun Raft Race: Clint and Harley Swann (First Place), Marie and Ben Ellis (Second Place), Henry Young (Third Place)
• Greasy Pole Pillow Fight: Freddie Bourne
• Twit of the day: Sam Mawdsley – for getting on the greasy pole to fight with her husband after recent knee surgery

Greasy Pole Pillow Fight winner Freddie Bourne managed to stay on the pole for five rounds, before falling into the lock.

Regatta Committee Chairperson Marie Ellis awarded the Oliver Prin Memorial Trophy to volunteer Gillian Brett, 'for going above and beyond in her role'. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Offshore

• Junior Dinghy Race: Finn Glover (First Place), George Hughes (Second Place), Austin Edwards (Third Place)
• Gaff Clinker Dinghy: Will Crossley (First Place), Mark Farthing (Second Place), Malcolm Fawkes (Third Place)
• Bermudan Dinghies: Zavier Siddique (First Place), Isaac Widdington (Second Place), Nate White (Third Place)
• Classic Yachts First Home: Steve Chapman
• Gaff Yachts: Jerry Courtney (First Place), Patrick Ellum (Second Place)
• Classic Yachts First on H/cap: Kevin Fuller
• First ECOD: Jerry McCoy (First Place), Sam Knot (Second Place), Ian Wilson (Third Place)
• Bermudan Yachts (modern) first home: Derek Fox
• Bermudan Yachts (modern) First on H/cap: Tommy Mills (First Place), Steve Sharp (Second Place), Ben Jeffrey (Third Place)
• First BJRC H/cap: Steve Chapman
• First Smack over line: Richard Haines
• First Smack home: Ross Wey - Alberta (First Place), Paul Winter – Maria (Second Place), Richard Haines – Kate (Third Place)
• Smack and Bawleys: Ross Wey - Alberta
• Special Smack Trophy (best dressed crew): Phil Plumtree - Martha 2)
• Best overall performance of the day: Harley Swann
• Best junior performance: Finn Glover
• Largest margin on elapsed time: Jerry Courtney, with 7 minutes and 19 seconds

Local sailor Harley Swann 'cleaned up' during the prizegiving, winning five awards in total. (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Organisers are yet to confirm how much money was raised for charity, but Maldon Nub News will provide an update once all donations have been counted.

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