Ellesmere Rotary Club's Jubilee Bell Boat Regatta's return

The regatta, organised by Ellesmere Rotary Club, was held on Sunday, July 3 and after unsettled weather conditions of the preceding days calmed, there was an excellent competition that thrilled the crowd.

Sixteen crews competed in a total of 21 races over 5 hours. Between races families were able to enjoy a wide variety of attractions in Cremorne Gardens provided by stallholders and charities.

Rotary district governor Steve Anthill was on hand to watch the races and he took time to thank the competitors and volunteers to make the event happen for the first time since 2019.

He said: "This has been my first visit to Ellesmere, and it has been a privilege to be at such a wonderful sporting event in such a splendid location.

"I’ll be back.

"I expect that everyone has enjoyed themselves as much as I have at this wonderful family day out.

"We have witnessed a thrilling set of races and well done to all who took part.”

All qualification for semi-finals and finals was based on times posted, so crews could never afford to relax, while the margins between them were slight.

Steve presented the prizes and also acted as race starter for both the adult, open and Ladies’ finals.

All crews were drawn from the local area and most needed to hone their technique in the first round after the two-year hiatus, before posting some excellent times in subsequent rounds.

Best time of the day came in round three of the Adult Open, when eventual winners, a youthful crew called The Firm, clocked two minutes 44 seconds, while final opponents Ellesmere Hotel also beat the three-minute mark.

Winners of the Ladies’ Section, Whittington Warriors, made it three titles in a row, winning their final against Charlie’s Angels in a time of 3m 6secs.

Ellesmere mayor Anne Wignall added: “We have all had a wonderful day of family enjoyment watching some thrilling races fought out in an exemplary sporting manner.

"We are grateful once again to Rotary for enabling the people of Ellesmere to show their readiness to support good causes."

Proceeds from the day will be split between, The Lyneal Trust and the Movement Centre at Gobowen, with residual money to be placed in the Ellesmere Rotary’s Charity Trust Fund.

A spokesman added: "Rotary would like to thank all many Rotarians from around the wider area, Carnival members, Scouts and very many other volunteers.

"A special mention should go to Mike and Sheila Dawson, who worked tirelessly all afternoon to ensure the safe fitting of buoyancy aids.

"The Bell Boats were loaned by the Cheshire Scouts."