Programme 2026

Welcome everyone to the Regatta.

We hope the sun is shining and you + your family and friends have an enjoyable day here on the banks of the River Colne.

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What can you expect this Year?

Well, The Committee have been working hard in preparing a day of Fun for all the Family. As befits a Regatta there will be plenty of activity out on the river with craft of all shapes and sizes either cruising or racing to a finish here in Rowhedge, some having started out at Batemans Tower at Brightlingsea.

High Water is shortly after 5pm - Everyone has their favourite style of boats so check out the programme on the next page to see when the different classes are due to arrive.

Fun for the kids!

• • • •

Stilt Walker Punch & Judy Lightning McQueen Dog show

• Crabbing competition • Rowhedge’s Got Talent!

• Duck Race

Remember to take lots of photos and enter your best shots in our “Spirit of the Regatta” Competition. See our Facebook page for how to enter!

Lion Quay will be packed with stalls offering all sorts of wares including bespoke crafts and handmade treats. The High Street will be full of Food stalls to keep you fed + watered.

Marks Tey Radio will be joining us all day to ensure everyone is kept up to date with happenings and will be located near the Sailing Finishing Line on Pearsons Quay. We’ll also have the ever popular Dog Show!

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Any queries or questions on the day can be asked at our Information Desk located on the driveway of 21/22 High Street, opposite the slipway next to The Anchor Pub.

2026 Rowhedge Regatta Programme Time

Activity

13:00

Start of the Regatta

13:15-13:30

Caledonian Pipe Band (High St & Wharf)

13:45

Dog Show (garden opposite The Anchor)

13:45-14:15

Band “Kyson Point” (Pearsons Quay)

14:00-17:00

Stilt Walker / Punch & Judy (Wharf area)

14:00-17:00

“Lightning McQueen” (Wharf area)

14:00-17:00

Shanty Crews (@ Albion & Anchor & High St)

14:00-16:00

Crabbing competition (Wharf area)

14:30-15:30

Rowhedge’s Got Talent! (Wharf area)

15:30-16:00

Caledonian Pipe Band (High St & Wharf area)

16:00

Duck Race (Start on Wharf area, Finish at Pearson’s Quay)

16:00-16:30

Crabbing Competition Judging (Wharf area)

16:15-17:00

Gig races on river

16:15-17:15

Smacks arrival/finish

16:45-17:00

BODS/WODS arrival/finish

17:00-17:30

Band “Kyson Point” (Pearsons Quay)

18:00

End of the Regatta

All times are subject to change depending on weather conditions.

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Craft Stalls First Aid

Information Stand Food Stalls Band Stand

Dog Show

Racing Finishing Line + Marks Tey Radio

Prize Giving Crabbing Competition, Rowhedge’s Got Talent, “Lightning McQueen”, Stilt Walker, Punch & Judy Food Stalls

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Funding the Regatta If you would like to donate and support the Regatta, you can do this - with cash or card - at the Information Desk on the High Street.

Thank you for any support you can give.

Our Sponsors and Supporters As well as Public donations we are totally indebted to our Sponsors and Supporters without whose help, there wouldn’t be a Regatta to organise!

With Thanks To All For Your Support

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Did you know...

The Regatta in its current format has been running every year since 2002 but it has its roots in history way way before that time.

In fact, Rowhedge Regatta is believed to date back to the 18th Century – Albeit we shared the event with our near neighbours across the river in Wivenhoe, on alternate years. Previously the Regatta had received donations from Royalty, notably King Edward VII, King George V + The Prince of Wales - it’s presumed the Royal Patronage was linked to the fact that a certain ‘John Carter’ of Rowhedge was the Captain of the Kings Racing Yacht ‘Britannia’! Such grand connections to the Village!

So thankfully we have other benefactors supporting us this year, for which we’re extremely grateful – It’s not a cheap venture in organising and putting on a Regatta and we need all the financial support we can gather.

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Rowhedge Regatta in the 1920’s

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Rowhedge Regatta 2026 Sponsors & Supporters Colchester Canine Massage Colchester City Council Cook’s Skips Daniel Little Properties Danni’s Cakes & Catering Decked Out Dents & Scuffs East Donyland Community Association East Donyland Parish Council East of England Co-op Elite Marine Surveying Ltd Explaura Travel GSK Maintenance Harris & Wood J Gliddon Chimney Sweep Mastic Services Natural Therapies Parallel Wealth Management Piranha Audio & Visual Robin & Richard Cranfield Rowhedge Convenience Store Rowhedge Garage Safade SignAce The Anchor The Bearded Photographers The Three Crowns Valentine Productions Winter & Co

Ye Olde Albion

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