A PROCESSION headed by the Black Prince will go through the Saltash Fore Street on July 1 to the Waterside, where he will open the 171st annual Regatta. The Black Prince, son of Edward III, is believed to have granted the ferry rights to Saltash when he was rowed across the river by a crew from Saltash. Edward gained his nickname 'The Black Prince' because he wore black armour. Deputy mayor, Joe Ellison, who was elected the new Regatta chairman, said they hoped the procession, with the part of the Black Prince performed by an actor, would include schoolchildren and leave from Victoria Gardens to process to the Waterside. It is also hoped that medieval banners will decorate Fore Street on that day. Steve Hills, retiring chairman said that the 170th Regatta last year had been very successful, and he thanked Pat Bennetts retiring secretary for her past six years of work and presented a bouquet of flowers. Treasurer Brian Heather gave the financial report with a balance in hand of £1,063. 94. Steve Hills said that expenditure showed a loss of nearly £600 on last year's regatta and it would cost more this year due to extra planned events Mr Heather said that donations of £20 each had been given to organisations who had helped them over the regatta weekend. He thanked Saltash Town Council for their donation of £750 and Saltash partnership for £250 and for other sponsorship from various sources. President Jeremy Pengelly, who was re-elected, said that at the last annual meeting they wondered if they would be able to continue and have a regatta but luckily Steve Hills had come forward to be chairman and they had also received help from other sources to run the event. He thanked the officers and committee for their work before and during the regatta. It is hoped the Prince of Wales Cup race will be held again this year but last year the naval crews who normally compete had duties in Portsmouth on the regatta dates. This year, Joe Ellison said, would attract gig crews for a County Veterans race on the Tamar and the race would be going up river as far as the Tavy instead of down river. The best vantage point would be Salt Mill and of course Brunel Green. He said he hoped they would be able to get a bus service to and from the Waterside over the regatta weekend. He said that local stalls and the pubs had done well over the regatta weekend last year. There were no members of the public at the meeting which was rather a pity. Election: president Jeremy Pengelly, chairman, Joe Ellison, secretary, Stephanie Carter, treasurer, Brian Heather. The committee was re-elected en bloc. This year's regatta will be on Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2.
