The first ever Sittingbourne Regatta was held on 1st September 2007. As you can see in the photos, the weather was kind, unlike previous events we have held at Milton Creek. The superb slipway and new floating pontoons at Murston Wharf were made available by Vice Commodore Gerry Lilley so we could enjoy fun races up and down the creek without getting muddy. Peter and Loreley MacDonald brought the Sea Cadets with 6 colourful Topper dinghies. Our Commodore Glenn Springett was also on the water in his Enterprise dinghy. Gerry Lilley served as safety office with his motor boat. Dermot Stewart brought his 32 ft Oceanis yacht from Conyer Creek. We were also visited by a Centraur yacht and some personal water craft (jet skis). Rear Commodore's trusty trimaran Chica was "dressed overall" for the joyful occasion with flags from stem to stern and up the mast. However Ken and Debbie Carey topped the occasion by paddling up the creek in their canoe, dressed as red indians.
We hope the Sittingbourne Regatta will be an annual event. However the use of Milton Creek by sailing boats is threatened by the proposed low level fixd bridge to be built downstream of our base at Murston Wharf. At the forthcoming public inquiry we will be putting our case for a lifting bridge.
Tony Lavelle, March 2007