Ellesmere Regatta hailed a success

More than 2,000 people flocked to this year's Ellesmere Rotary Bell Boat Regatta.

The event, organised by Ellesmere Rotary Club, took place on and around the Mere on Sunday.

The action-packed day featured several bell boat races for adult and junior crews.

The main beneficiary this year will be Parkinson’s UK, with residual money being placed in the Ellesmere Rotary’s Charity Trust Fund.

Rotarian Graham Hutchinson said: "The spectators basked in the sunshine, whilst the gentle breeze out on the Mere gave the crews some respite as they competed fiercely for the day’s honours.

"A varied programme of family attractions was available on the adjacent Cremorne Gardens for a supporting crowd well in excess of 2,000 people.

"A full programme of races in adult open, ladies and youth classes produced a number of exciting finishes, with no easy wins after the first round.

"Prizes to the winners and runners up were presented by governor of Rotary District 1210, Carol Reilly and district governor nominee, Brian Reilly.

"The 26 crews competed over longer courses this year in both adult and youth classes, warranted by the increasing expertise in the art of bell boat racing that the local paddling community has become renowned for."

For the third year running adult open winners were Tony T’s Torpedoes, a veteran crew of the Ellesmere and Whittington area, who finished the final in the day’s best time over the full course of 4.16 minutes, whilst holding off the challenge of Athletico Far Away, a crew drawn from regulars at Ellesmere’s Market Hotel.

Ladies winners were the The Cobbled Together Crew from Cockshutt, who pipped Mama Mia from Shropshire Paddlers by eight seconds, in a time of 5.01 minutes.

The youth final saw Oswestry Girls’ Rugby Team triumph for the second year in succession, completing the shorter course in 4.01 minutes, just four seconds ahead of The Rugby Muppets from Ruabon.

Chairman of the Rotary regatta committee, Geoff Corfield added: “This year’s event has had the highest number of competing crews in its 23-year history and the competition has been truly magnificent. Everyone has had tremendous fun and entertainment, whilst supporting a very good cause.”

The club would like to thank all those who help stage the event and also the people of Ellesmere who turned out in such large numbers.