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Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta

The History and Tradition of the Regatta

2007 opening ceremony.

The band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, will provide the perfect level of pageantry when they lead the procession from the Dartmouth Guildhall to the Band Stand in the Royal Avenue Gardens for the Official Opening Ceremony on Wednesday 29th August, 2007.

Following the conclusion of the Official Opening Ceremony the Band of Her Majesty's Royal Marines will beat Retreat on the South Embankment.

The ceremony of Beating Retreat has its origins in the battles of the Middle Ages when, at dusk, a drummer boy was sent along the ranks of the infantry to beat retreat. On hearing the drum the soldiers retired to their overnight quarters or garrison. Sentries and piquets would be posted for the night, again on a signal from the drum. Finally, Last Post would be sounded by the bugler.

In the seventeenth century 'Retreat' and 'Tattoo' (taken from the Dutch word meaning 'turn off taps') were embellished by the addition of fifes playing martial airs. During the eighteenth century, bands were added, often giving a torchlight display as an entertainment for the garrison. In the Royal Marines, the ceremony gained importance during the 1930's, when the Divisional Bands accompanied Naval visits to foreign ports. The ceremony culminated in the playing by band and bugles of 'Sunset'. The original setting by A.C. Green is still used today.

Today's ceremony begins with the band playing traditional tunes as it marches and counter marches leading to the Drum Beatings. The band then moves to a central position for the Finale, which includes an evening hymn and the performance of Sunset. It is customary to remain silent throughout the Finale sequence and Military Personnel to stand to attention during the playing of Sunset. A Saluting Officer should take a lead from the Drum Major on when to sdalute during Sunset.

The first Recorded Regatta in Dartmouth was in 1822. There were three sailing races, one six-oared gig race, and a military band played out at the Dartmouth Castle and 120 attended a ball.

In 1834 the Regatta, which used to be run by leading gentlemen of the neighbourhood, changed its format when the inhabitants of the Town called a meeting and elected a Committee of their own.

In 1856 it became a Royal Regatta when an unscheduled visit by Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and the Prince of Wales came into Dartmouth because of bad weather in a flotilla of nine boats, the day before the scheduled Regatta, 11th August. Prince Albert and his son went up to Sharpham Point in the new steamboat Dartmouth which had arrived on the river only the previous day. The Queen followed in the State Barge, going as far as Dittisham. The Queen came ashore at 6 pm and was met by the Town Mayor. The Queen then drove in a carriage over 'The Ridges' to locally known 'Black House' at the junction of Jaw Bones/Swannaton Road/Stoke Fleming Road. She was accompanied by Sir H.F. Seale on horseback. That night there were special illuminations both ashore and afloat. The Queen donated £25. Prince Albert gave £20. for three rowing races to be competed for by the sailors of Dartmouth and this was done on the second day of the Regatta. The Queen the next day sailed on to Plymouth but before leaving bestowed the title of 'Royal' on the Regatta. We write each year to the Monarch for Royal Patronage. The Patron now is Prince Andrew., the Duke of York.

HRH The Duke of York meets with the 2005 Regatta Committee.

These photos by kind permission of Keith Franks. You can see more, and buy prints of them at www.icdphotos.com
HRH Duke of York
Copyright to K Franks, BRNC 		Duke of York Receives Regatta Emblem
Copyright to K Franks, BRNC
At the opening ceremony a maroon is fired, the Old Dartmothians Flag is unfurled and a fanfare sounded.
After a prayer the Deputy Mayor reads a Proclamation. The Mayor then presents to the Chairman of the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta a lapel-size replica of the Silver Oar. This is a symbol of the Regatta Chairman's authority over the Regatta for the next three days.
The Silver Oar itself is nearly four feet in length and weighs 70 ounces. It is the symbol of the right of the Mayor and Corporation of the town to the Waterbailiwick of the River Dart, which they hold from the Duke of Cornwall. The Silver Oar was given to the Town by Prince George, later King George 11 in 1821. The Oar is carried on all Mayoral ceremonial occasions.
Over the years the Regatta has grown to such an extent that it now covers seven days activities, but the opening ceremony is always by tradition held on the Wednesday evening, with the official Regatta three days based on the last Friday's date in August.
Due to World Wars when the Regatta was not held, this year is the Official 163rd.
Silver Oar
The Silver Oar.
The Mayor and corporation of Dartmouth were formerly lessees from the Dutchy Of Cornwall of the Bailwick of the water of Dartmouth and held as a symbol of their rights a Silver Oar, presented to them in 1721 bu the then Duke of Cornwall - later King George II. About 125 years ago, some of the rights appertaining to the Bailwick were purchased from the Dutchy, and the Silver Oar was reluctantly restored to the Duke of Cornwall.
The Prince of Wales, when he finalised his course of training at the Royal Navy College, restored the custedy of the Silver Oar to the mayor and corporation of Dartmouth to preserve amongst the town's Insignia.
The paddle is engraved with Royal Memorials, and the Prince of Wales' Feathers and is dated to 1721. The stem, with applied bands pierced and chased with scrolls and reeds, is 93.5cm long and weighs 3,221g. The engraving denotes the full Royal Armorials of the Prince of Wales, with GP for George Prince, and the arms of the Dutchy of Cornwall.
The following is an extract from the document commiting the custody of the oar to the town corporation:
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Dartmouth in the County of Devon. It is our will and pleasure, with the approval of our most dear Lord and Father the King, to commit into your custody and charge this Silver Oar, formerly the symbol of office of Water Bailif and Water Bailwick and conservency of the water of dartmouth, to the intent that, the same may be held by you on our behalf during our pleasure.
Dated this 29th Day of March, 1911.
Signed: Edward P.
During the period of the Port of dartmouth Royal Regatta, a pin in the shape of the oar is presented to the Chairman of the Regatta by the Mayor to symbolise the control of the river during the Regatta period.