Radstock will soon be setting sail, but on dry land, with its very own Regatta to be held in 2017.

On Monday evening this week, Town Councillors voted to commit to Radstock’s very own Regatta event, but to take place next year, after concerns were raised that there was not enough time to make the event a success in 2016 and secure its future for years to come.

The idea has been put forward by Chair, Mike Boulton, who was unanimously voted back in at Monday evening’s Annual General Meeting, alongside Vice-Chair, Cllr Bruce Shearn, and takes inspiration from the Henley-on-Todd Regatta, which occurs in Alice Springs, Australia – a ‘boat’ race, which is held annually in the dry river bed of the Todd River. It began as a joke at the expense of British settlers and their famous boat races and Town Councillors here think it is an event which could catch on – with Cllr Shearn having once attended the original event himself.

Whilst it will need a lot of organisation, costing and planning, nearer the time the Town Council will be looking for local groups, clubs, sportspeople, office workers, friends or families to take part in the ‘race’, which will see teams constructing a ‘boat’ and

taking part in a dash to the finish. The idea would also be part of an annual fun day for the town, possibly on August Bank Holiday, with stalls and other attractions.