A Story...
 Recommendations...
Work Starts in March
D-Day
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The Bodge Its & Fix Its!
The blow by blow account of the unsung heroes on the Sunbury Amateur Regatta Lawn Committee. Or, there are never enough ‘bogs’, there is always enough ‘booze’ and if there is a problem we are in the Phoenix!
It is 12 years since I was elected Chairman, of the Sunbury Amateur Regatta Lawn Committee, having been voted onto the main Committee a year before. A newish immigrant to Sunbury, from the more southerly climes of Walton, my offspring enjoying success, and indeed winning trophies at earlier Edith Topsfield Junior Regattas, not to mention my digging single handed the large trench that in those halcyon days sufficed as a gentlemen’s toilet, led me to consider that this elevation to the management of such a prestigious event was just reward and a fitting position. How wrong can one be! It was a sentence to 12 years hard labour, with no remission. Not for me you understand, but the dexterous team who ensure that all will be all right on the Regatta day.
Recommendations...?!?
It may surprise you to know, basking in the August sun on the banks of the Thames, sipping a Pimms, Pints or glass of Chateau Regatta, as you no doubt are, that planning the next Regatta starts in three weeks time. Our first job is to consider the successes, failures, cock-ups and oversights of the recently demised Regatta to ensure that these are duly deliberated on, noted and filed away for future reference. No, don’t choke - we do listen to your complaints and recommendations, and if you have any please hunt me out because we also need willing volunteers to ensure the best traditions of Sunbury Amateur Regatta continue into the new millennium.
Work Starts in March
The Lawn Committee really gets down to work in March after the Annual General Meeting. There are quotes to be obtained for the delivery and erection of 12 marquees, 110 tables, 370 chairs - can the person who took two chairs home with him last year please return them! There are urinals (Yes, we got rid of the trench, we had to it was situated just above the high octane supply line from Heathrow to Gatwick - now that could have been an all mighty cock-up!), numerous flushing handwash toilets in site weathered ocean blue, please don’t all go at once, to cost and book. The erection and dismantling of 300 metres of temporary fencing, gates and barriers, there are security guards to hire and so the list goes on. We beg and plead for help and local businesses generously supply us for example with skips, scaffolding and even vehicles. The Committee liaise with Spelthorne Borough Council who kindly help by ensuring that the grass is mown and water and electricity is laid on. The new look ford this year has helped to avert some ugly scenes of Regattas past. The Brewer’s Dray was stuck in the ford for nearly three hours last year but with a little help from their friends the Lawn Committee manhandled the offending truck out of the way. What ever happened to those missing kegs?
D-Day
Our D-day is the day before the Regatta, Friday the 12th this year, when the 10 strong Committee, friends and other press ganged, coerced or hijacked Sunburyites are naught but sweated labour - sorry ladies, glowing. Whatever the planning, Friday always seems like a manic panic. But we always come through. By the way didn’t I mention we also organise and arrange for the booking and siting of all the stalls, the manning of all the gates, we mark out the sites and book the Punch & Judy. Our members lay the power cables, we arrange for litter clearance. Sorry, it was you who wanted a little job on Sunday? - I look forward to seeing you. Now guess who has to ensure that all is okay for the Edith Topsfield Junior Regatta by Sunday lunch time, oh! and clear upon Monday too. Yes the Lawn Committee. Why not join us? It’s a lot of fun. And thanks Lawn Committee and friends for all your help.
Geoffrey Grant.
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