WHO ARE WE

The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta organising committee is made up entirely of volunteers. And to put on an event of this size takes a lot of hard work… it is a big responsibility, and the committee are merely custodians of this historical event for the community. There are currently 39 of us, all either living or working in Dartmouth and surrounding area: all of us passionate about our town and the Regatta. Which is just as well. Planning for the next year starts immediately after the preceding event, with monthly committee meetings happening whether in person and on Teams in the new world.

It is quite incredible that the committee receives no funding of any source, relying entirely on sponsors, raising income and donations. It is also incredible that so many give their time so freely and for nothing, except the satisfaction of a job well done. But it isn’t just the committee that make Regatta happen, it is also our helpers throughout the week, shaking collecting tins, manning safety boats, selling our Grand Draw raffle tickets. It is the local businesses who support the rowing races, the sailing and who feed us fish and chips when putting Regatta bunting up in the evening rain! If you would like to find out how you could be involved in our merry band of helpers and team, contact us.

Laura Campbell

Chair

I first joined the Dartmouth Regatta committee in 2021 to run the Dartmouth Mayflower 400 River Parade for one year. I had brought the event to Regatta from my earlier work on the Dartmouth Mayflower 400 project. I’ve worked in Tourism and Hospitality for over 30 years and I’m the South West Regional Rep for the Tourism Management Institute. Since moving to Dartmouth I’d already been involved with the Dartmouth Food Festival, so Regatta was another chance to promote Dartmouth as a key Destination in the South West. Five or six years and several River Parades later, I’m still here. That’s the Regatta effect! Over that time I’ve also worked on sponsorship, the souvenir programme, website, media and marketing, and led the rebrand for the 180th Regatta. I stepped back at the end of 2025, then rejoined Ed and the team in July to help deliver the 2026 Regatta. I’m honoured to have been voted in as chair for 2027. I’m looking forward to working with my new team, many of whom I’ve worked alongside over the last few years in various roles. Together we’ll carry the Regatta’s traditions forward, perhaps start a few new ones, and, as always, deliver another great event in 2027.

Amelia Wright

Hon Secretary & Officer

I started volunteering in 2021 at Regatta as a last minute stand-in to cover photography while I was coincidentally in Dartmouth on holiday at our cottage. I connected well with the team, and by 2023, formally joined the committee and started to manage social media and the photography team. In 2026 I stepped up to become Hon Secretary and an Officer, working closely with Laura, our Chair. Photography and social media are actually only a hobby! Originally from Dudley, my background is 32 years in global automotive procurement at Ford Motor Company, managing global teams, leading supplier negotiations, commodity strategies, business relationships, and sourcing new vehicle business, and travelling around the world. I retired in 2026 and my husband and I now divide our time between our homes in Essex and Dartmouth. I have established great friendships in Dartmouth, both within the committee and beyond it. Serving on the committee or volunteering in any capacity is a wonderful way to get to know people and integrate into the local community, while making a contribution to it.

karl stone

officer

Hilary Bastone

President

I came to Dartmouth in July 1974 living in Bed & Breakfast accommodation but soon realised that Regatta was something special as I tried to book accommodation forward. The last Thursday of August arrived and I witnessed crowds five deep on the Embankment and had to go and have a look as to what the attraction was. It was the Men’s Senior coxed fours race. After settling into my new job I made acquaintance with George Ball who worked at the accountants Bishop Fleming but was also Treasurer of the Regatta. He invited me along to a Regatta committee in April 1975 and that was it, I was a committee member! At that time the Regatta committee, some 50 strong with dignitaries of the town, ensured that everyone in the town was involved and supportive of the annual event. The Regatta committee is still 30 strong with a diverse selection of townspeople all dedicated to producing the ‘best Regatta in the South West’. For me the event is in my ‘blood’ and for many others it is the ‘look forward to’ event of the year with its outstanding sailing events, the plethora of rowing events, the excitement of the swimming at the outdoor pool and the multitude of events designed invite the interest of everyone of all ages.

Peter Boote

JRSC Chair

Peter is Chair on the Joint Regatta Sailing Committee (JRSC) and is responsible for the sailing side of the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta. He is also Vice Commodore of the Royal Dart Yacht Club and becomes Commodore in April 2021. Peter and his wife Maggie live just outside Dartmouth and they moved to Devon from Rutland 26 years ago becoming members of Royal Dart Yacht Club with their Squib. Since then they have owned several yachts during which time Maggie served on the General Committee and was a founding member of Ladies Afloat. Peter now sails a restored Yachting World Diamond classic day boat. The sailing is in safe and capable hands with Peter, who runs a tight ship! Please come along and support the event: either watch the dinghy racing from the Royal Dart Yacht Club and Dittisham Sailing Club, or the yacht racing is best viewed from along our beautiful coastline.

Patrons
David Fursdon Esq, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Devon

Facilitators
Devon County Council
South Hams District Council
Dartmouth Town Council
Dart Harbour and Navigation Authority
Naval Regional Commander, Wales & Western England
Britannia Royal Naval College

Supporters
Royal Dart Yacht Club
Dartmouth Yacht Club
Dittisham Yacht Club
Dartmouth Amateur Rowing Club
Dartmouth Gig Club

River Dart Rowing Club

West of England ARA

Southwest Coastal Rowing League
Dartmouth Amateur Athletics Club

Dartmouth Swimming Club

Dartmouth Outdoor Pool

Dartmouth Bell Ringers 

President
Hilary Bastone

Principal Officers
Chair: Laura Campbell
Officers:  Amelia Wright, Karl Stone
Hon Secretary: Amelia Wright

Honorary Stewards
Mr J Hulme, Mrs L Pearson, Mr H Bastone, Lt Col EBJ Botterill, Mr A Hodge, Mr JD Hawkins,  Mr B Williams, Mr K Pyne, Mrs D Sheppard, Mr D Kelland, Mrs M Botterill

Throughout the Regatta period, the Committee’s General Headquarters will be in the Regatta Information Hut in the Royal Avenue Gardens.

Join us a volunteer, email volunteers@dartmouthregatta.co.uk
and where would we be without our Volunteer Star collectors!
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