Regatta celebrates 150 years

FLAGS and bunting will be flying extra high next weekend as the village of Calstock, in South East Cornwall, celebrates its 150th anniversary rowing regatta.

Historically a two-day extravaganza with everything from a fun fair, parachute jumps, tug-of-war to a beauty competition, the 21st Century editions of the River Tamar festival revolve more around 18-ft flashboat and 15-ft skiff rowing competitions - but to celebrate the special milestone organisers are rekindling some past glories on Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27.

As well as the sport on the water there will be some surprises, along with stalls, sideshows, a barbecue and refreshments, including icecreams and cakes - and, given that it's a Tamar Valley promotion, a punnet or two of local strawberries.

Calstock, on the tidal Cornish banks of the Tamar, lies some 18 miles from the open seas of the English Channel but despite that, the sport of rowing has always been a tradition for the young folk of the parish... even if it still calls for a book of tide tables as much as rowlocks and oars.

Because of the limited 'tidal window' and restricted width of the river at Calstock, much of Saturday's traditional race programme is confined to heats, with many of the competitors camping overnight in order to take part in Sunday's finals.

Retired newspaper editor John Collings recalls how the two-day regatta was one of the biggest on the county circuit back in the 1960s and early 1970s.

As a 'cub' (trainee) reporter he would spend his time between the rowing races and the onshore activities.