Chair: Ed Botterill Closing words

Good evening, everyone.

And so, another Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta comes to a close, and as we look back on the 181st Regatta, I think it is worth remembering that what we have created together is about far more than a week of racing and entertainment. It is about competition and camaraderie, but it is also about community, tradition and belonging, about bringing people together and making memories that will last long after the boats have left the river.

To our competitors, thank you. Your determination, skill and sportsmanship have brought these waters to life once again. Whether you were competing at the very highest level or simply taking part for the love of the sport, you are the reason we have a Royal Regatta to celebrate.

To our extraordinary volunteers, stewards and Committee members, thank you.
From the months of planning and organising, to stewarding races, welcoming visitors, helping competitors, keeping things moving, and now helping return Dartmouth to normal, your commitment has been remarkable.

You will of course all know, but it bears repeating that every member of our Regatta Committee is a volunteer, as are so many people who give their time to help make these days possible. You give your time freely because you care about this town, this Regatta and the people who make it what it is. You are, quite simply, the reason it happens.

And increasingly, we have a responsibility to make sure that the Regatta we hand on is one that can thrive for generations to come. That means taking sustainability seriously, looking at how we operate, how we use our waters and shores, how we reduce waste, how we travel, and how we protect the extraordinary environment that provides the setting for this event; because if we are proud to celebrate 181 Regattas of tradition so far, we must also think about the next 181.

Tradition does not mean standing still. It means understanding what matters, protecting it, and having the courage to evolve so that future generations can enjoy it too; and none of this would be possible without our sponsors, supporters and local businesses. Their contribution is about so much more than putting a logo on a banner. Their support helps us stage an event of this scale, support our community and, critically, keep so much of the Regatta free for everyone to enjoy.

It means that whether you have lived in Dartmouth all your life, are visiting for the first time, are watching from the Embankment, cheering from a boat, competing on the water or simply enjoying the atmosphere with your family, the Regatta belongs to you, and none of us should take it for granted.

As Chairman of our wholly volunteer Committee, I am immensely proud that we have been able to continue a tradition that began generations ago, while also looking forward rather than simply looking back, because the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta is not just something we inherit, it is something we all help to create.

It is part of the fabric of Dartmouth. Our town is a place where competition, friendship, community and celebration come together on these waters and shores — a tradition we have now celebrated 181 times

And ultimately, it belongs to all of us.

To our competitors, volunteers, sponsors, supporters, local businesses, residents, visitors and everyone who has played their part, all of you, thank you. Thank you for your time, your energy, your generosity and your belief in this extraordinary event.

Please travel home safely, take a little bit of the Regatta with you, and come back next year.

We will be here, on these waters and these shores, continuing the tradition, strengthening our community and doing our best to look after the remarkable place we are so very fortunate to call home.

Good evening, thank you all — and here’s to the 182nd Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta!

Best wishes

Ed x