IT'S that time of year again, when people of all ages gather in the old town of Leigh, to enjoy the last bit of summer, fun, games and music at what has become a traditional event for almost half a century - The Old Leigh Regatta - taking place this weekend.
Hosted by the Leigh on Sea Lions Club in conjunction with the 3rd Chalkwell Bay and 4th/6th Leigh on Sea Scouts, the official regatta event takes place on Sunday September 9 with games, stalls, music and shanty groups. However, the pubs situated in the centre of the old town - the Crooked Billet, The Ye Old Smack Inn and The Peterboat - will be complementing the traditional affair, by each providing their own DJ and live music programmes, which will run across both Saturday and Sunday.
Despite old favourites like the greasy pole and bowsprit fighting "succumbing to the health and safety brigade" say organisers, the Leigh Regatta has lost none of its old fashioned charm and "the scouts will still be out on the mud having fun with their tug-o-war and welly hoying exploits and destroying china by the ton with the Krazy Kitchen whilst their colleagues will be taking part in numerous water-borne activities in the estuary".
Other traditional favourites like Punch and Judy, face painting, the Princess Gatherings, story telling from June Wells, the Lions’ Pig Race and a pirate-themed competition run by the Art Ministry, will also be taking place.
There will be range of stalls and stands offering hot and cold, sweet and savoury delights which can be washed down with a cool glass of prosecco or a local refreshing beer from one of the two real ale bars. There’s even said to be an alcoholic lollipop stall, which is handy, considering the sun is meant to be shining, according to weather reports at the time of writing.
A Leigh Regatta programme of bands will be providing live music on Strand Wharf, Victoria Wharf and the Mayflower, while local clog dancers and "at least four" shanty crews will be performing "to give the event that salty touch".
The official Leigh Regatta day, starts at 10:30am on Sunday September 9, with an opening service from the Leigh Salvation Army.
The Peterboat's accompanying live music programme takes place on both Saturday September 8 and Sunday September 9, starting at 11am until 5pm both days.
The Smack Inn will see DJ Moo5h play from 12pm until 5pm on the Sunday and the Crooked Billet will be handing the stage over to bands on the Sunday from 1pm until 6pm.
Complementary music programmes:
The Peterboat :
Saturday:
11am-11:45am Megan Rose
12pm-12:45pm Al Morris
1pm-1:45pm Rooskin
2pm – 2:45pm Lydia Kitto Band
3pm-3:45pm The Rapscallions
4pm-4:45pm Big Yellow Suitcase
5pm-5:45pm The Long Run
Sunday:
11am-11:45am Jay Bellamy
12pm-12:45pm Adam Duffield
1pm-1:45pm Charlie Brown
2pm – 2:45pm The Generators
3pm-3:45pm LJ Howard
4pm-4:45pm Sidekick
5pm-5:45pm Hitt Parade
The Crooked Billet
Sunday:
1pm - 1:45pm: Red Kadett
2pm - 3pm: Black Zephyr
3pm - 4:30pm: Billy Liar
5pm - 6pm: Rollin' Machine
Ye Old Smack Inn
Sunday:
12pm - 5pm: DJ Moo5h
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