Rowing Club seeks Regatta aid

THE future extent of a town institution dating back more than 70 years could be doubtful if a sponsor is not found for Bexhill Regatta.

Already Bexhill Rowing Club, one of the town's oldest-established sporting institutions, is planning how to fund next year's regatta.

Club president Gerald Matthews says: "It costs at least 2,500 these days to stage the regatta.

"Years ago, it was run by the Bexhill Borough Council.

"The council ran it, organised it and paid for it.

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"When we went over to Rother Bexhill Rowing Club took over the running of it and we as a club pay for it.

"It costs 2,000 to 2,500 to hold it each year. It is becoming increasingly difficult to cope with the financial implications. There is so much health and safety requirement today. It becomes very complicated - and everything costs.

"What we are trying to do is find a sponsor to stump up the 2,000-2,500 and that will secure the regatta.

"If we don't do that if may be very much reduced in size.

"Ideally, what we would like to do is get someone to willing to sign-up for four or five years. It is a great event with good commercial opportunities. It can attract thousands of people. Any sponsor would be assured of plenty of mention over the public address equipment plus supporting banners.

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"People don't realise that is competing in the coastal championship, the club travels between 8,000 and 9,000 miles every season - everywhere from Herne Bay in the east to Bideford in the west.

"I think the first Bexhill Regatta was held in the 'Twenties. They have been held virtually every year since then with the exception of the war years.

"Certainly over the last 50 years it's been a very successful event - one of the best along the coast."

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