A POPULAR waterside event in Heybridge will be celebrated alongside a historic milestone.

The Heybridge Basin Regatta will take place this weekend from Saturday to Sunday.

This particular regatta falls in the same year that the Basin is celebrating 225 years of history.

Chairman of the regatta committee Keith Lawson said: “For the Basin, this year is special.

“As you would have seen from posters and polo shirts we are 225 years old.

“Basiners do not need much of an excuse to have a party and a number have already been held.

“The regatta is one of our main events and by buying a programme, a raffle ticket or two and a burger you are helping us continue with a custom that goes back many generations.

“We now run over Saturday and Sunday, such is the popularity of this traditional waterside regatta.

“Saturday’s events would have been familiar to a visitor of a hundred years ago.

“Smack racing, rowing events and on shore, cake making, and other competitions in the tent, finishing the day with the greasy pole.

“Sunday starts with the scavenger hunt for the children and an entertainer and then the serious business of welly wanging.

“The highlight of the day is the raft race with a trophy for first home and a prize for best fancy dress.

“As you can imagine, this all takes a lot of organizing and my thanks, once again, go to the Committee for their hard work throughout the year and to that band of helpers on the day.

“I hope you enjoy your day or two with us and if possible, compete in some of the events.”

Commemorative polo shirts will be on sale at the Heybridge Basin Regatta.

Regatta day programmes are £1 and are now available from the Jolly Sailor pub and the Old Ship pub in the Basin. Entry is free.

For more details, contact Kelly Enefer on their Facebook group at www.facebook.com/HeybridgeBasinRegatta.