I AM saddened to learn that after running for almost 170 years the Saltash Town Regatta is likely to come to an end this year due to senior committee members wishing to retire and also the lack of help. This could well happen if no-one comes forward to help organise this most important and oldest event on the Saltash calendar. As a resident of Saltash and Councillor and as Mayor - I have attended the regatta virtually every year over the past 35 years with my family. Indeed, I have also given 10 years' service in the past to the town regatta including as general secretary and as the founding chairman of the Saltash Water Sports Festival. And in association with the regatta committee we injected many thousands of pounds over three years into running the events on the Saltash Waterside. We had air displays and the very best of top entertainment; and the charitable organisations greatly benefited by that boost. During the festival three years, 1998, 1999 and 2000, we had to rely on Leader II and Single Regeneration Budgets, plus funding from other partners including generous local businesses, and also Saltash Town and Caradon District Councils. However, our own fundraising efforts, as match funding and funding in kind were enormous. Our efforts paid off - and thousands of locals and visitors flocked down to the waterside to enjoy the outstanding entertainment; which also boosted our local economy. Although Saltash Town Council has granted sponsorship over the past few years, and there are a few other kind local businesses and organisations that offer small donations, there are no large grants available to our knowledge that will help with staging the regatta in a way that will attract more stalls and visitors. I feel bitterly disappointed that in a town the size of Saltash (with a population of over 16,000) we can not find any volunteers to help this dedicated band of regatta organisers. I am therefore putting out a plea to ask volunteers to come forward to help - the committee members are a super bunch of people and have struggled for years to put on this historic event - and they deserve all the help and support we can give them. I can assure you it is not an onerous task, and you will receive an enormous welcome. So once again, I strongly put out a plea for help for our regatta team. You can write to me at the Mayor's Parlour, Saltash Guildhall, Saltash, PL12 6QJ - telephone 01752 844846 - and I will pass on your messages to Jerry Pengelly, the regatta chairman. Their AGM is in January 2005.

SUE HOOPER Mayor of Saltash