Great 'Non-Regatta Day' For Eskmuthe
Eskmuthe's brilliant community came together to make up for the disappointment of cancelling our annual regatta by holding a successful fundraising event in our new boatshed.
Around 200 members of the local community and rowers from other local clubs joined Eskmuthers and their families at the "cake and soup regatta" in the boatshed at Fisherrow.
Club members had been busy making soup, savoury snacks and cakes for the regatta, which had to be cancelled due to a forecast of very high winds. With clubs due to travel from as far afield as Northumberland, the club took the tough decision to call off the event 24 hours before it was due to happen - but decided to open up the boatshed anyway.
Organisers worked late into the night (and early the next morning) to prepare, and a feast of snacks was ready when visitors started arriving. Coastal rowers from 5 other clubs - Portobello, Eastern, Newhaven, Boatie Blest (Port Seton) and North Berwick - came along and there was great support from the local community.
A tombola and prize draw added to the fun as the club raised around £1,500 on the day to help complete the boat shed project.
Club Captain, Gaynor Allen, said: “We were very sad to call off the regatta, but ended up having a fabulous day. It was great to see such brilliant support from other clubs and the local community - and to see a real-life example of what a fantastic facility we have in our new boatshed."
The club had already raised around £1,300 in sponsorship in advance, thanks to superb support from local businesses. Knight Chiropractic was the main sponsor, while Red McGregor sponsored the programme and Red Wolf Electrical and PA Cooperative sponsored the PA system. Company Bakery provided delicious bread to accompany the soup, and the medals were sponsored by White Tree Chiropractic.
The 11 race sponsors were:
Selling with Sylvia (at McDougall McQueen)
"A massive thank you to all our sponsors, old and new,” Gaynor Allen said. “Without their support, we couldn't hold this event - and we urge our members to check out their products and services.
"We would also like to thank all club members for their incredible hard work at such short notice. The event proved what a great club we have and what an asset our boatshed is going to be for the club and the wider community.”
Eskmuthe is planning to hold a more official launch of the boatshed later this year.
