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| What would you say to an icon like Bob Dylan? | |
| In an association with Sony BMG, Regatta recently launched a very exciting competition with the chance to visit America to see Bob Dylan live. The lucky winner of this competition was Joe Mullins and is an account of his trip… “Nobody wins those competitions on the Internet do they? Wrong - much to my delight I beat the odds and won the competition run by Regatta to win an expenses paid trip for two to see Bob Dylan perform in the USA. Little did I suspect that a visit last October to the Go Outdoors store in Oxford would be the first step in a trip across the Atlantic! A poster at the checkout gave the details of the Regatta competition. Being a Dylan fan since the 1960s, but never having seen him live I had to have a go, and then I forgot all about it. What a surprise a couple of months later when one evening out of the blue came a phone call telling me that I had won first prize. My wife Jan is not a Dylan fan and suggested I should go with our son Ben who was due to finish his music degree in May. Dylan wasn’t on the syllabus so the complete set of Dylan’s bootleg cd’s of concerts pre 1975, a bonus prize from Regatta was forwarded to Ben to help complete his education. At that time no Dylan concert dates had been announced for the USA but eventually some were published for Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada in mid May. On arrival in Halifax we were amazed to find that our transport to the hotel was a stretch limo - a first for us both. We tried to stay cool but it’s not easy when your shades are in the luggage. Arriving in style at the Lord Nelson Hotel, we found that the reception team knew all about our trip and set about making us feel welcome – they were amazingly helpful and friendly throughout our three-day stay. Thanks guys. |  |
| We found that Halifax is a very interesting mix of the historic and modern. It is a port with an interesting history with many museums dealing with its maritime importance. But is it is also a modern city with striking new buildings, shopping and restaurants. One lasting impression of Halifax was the friendliness and helpfulness of the Canadians and their courtesy as drivers. Everyone drove sedately along the city streets and gave way to any pedestrian that walked across the road. It was uncanny. Of course the main event for us was the concert. We had no tickets for this sell out gig but were simply told that we were on Bob Dylan’s guest list. What did this mean? Surely we were not going to meet him – what would you say to an icon with a reputation for being a grumpy old man. No we didn’t get to say hello but we did have the best seats in the house. We were four rows from the front with a great view of Bob – even better for us that amazingly the seats immediately in front of us were empty. And the music…tremendous - we knew that Dylan no longer plays solo with just a guitar and harmonica so we weren’t expecting that. He plays keyboards with a really polished band and most of his numbers are quite different arrangements of the originals. Ben’s forte is arranging music so he found this aspect particularly fascinating – me I just soaked up the atmosphere and enjoyed the event. We of course bought the T-shirts. All too soon it was time to go home. The whole trip was a wonderful experience and a great opportunity for some father and son bonding. We would all like to thank Regatta for running such an interesting competition in the first place and Gill Russell for being so friendly and helpful.” | |
| REGATTA HELPS THE KIDS OF THE ‘CHILDREN OF CHERNOBYL CHARITY’ PREPARE FOR THE BRITISH WEATHER | |
| As a company, Regatta likes to support a worthwhile cause, and being a family orientated brand, when we were contacted about supporting the ‘Friends of Chernobyl’s Children’ Charity (FOCC) it was definitely something we wanted to help out with. FOCC charity is a registered charity, which brings a group of 12 disadvantaged children affected by the Chernobyl disaster to Salford for one month a year. The children visited Salford for the third time between 20th April and 18th May. The children who are now 9/10 years old come from the city of Mogilev in Belarus. Seventy percent of the radiation from the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 fell on Belarus. The children are still affected by the radiation, which has contaminated their food and water supply. Research has shown that by bringing the children to the UK for one month a year for five years their immune system and life expectancy is improved. During the month the charity provides the children with schooling and recreational activities and visits from Monday to Friday each week. We were contacted by the Sarah Brabban the Salford Group Coordinator of the charity about providing the children with waterproof jackets. This would enable them to stay dry and be easily identified by our volunteers on visits. As the weather can be unpredictable at this time of the year we provided 12 red Fuselage II waterproof jackets and 12 Stuntrider fleeces for drier days. (For more product information on these styles please go the product section of the website). |  |
| Sarah said…
“We were absolutely delighted when Regatta agreed to donate waterproof jackets and fleeces for the 12 Belarussian children from the 'Friends of Chernobyl' Salford group. As a charity we collect second hand and new clothing for the children prior to their arrival but it is often difficult to get hold of warm and waterproof clothing for use during their visits. We were thrilled when we opened the box of Regatta jackets when it arrived. Jo, our Supplies Coordinator got very excited!! The jackets and fleeces were lovely quality and completely fit the bill. Having a set of identical jackets was really helpful to us because they helped us to spot and keep track of the group when we were out and about. The children loved them, in fact, it was hard to pries the fleeces off one or two of the children during the recent warm weather because they liked them so much! Thanks to Regatta the children have now all returned to Belarus with a fleece to help keep them warm in the colder months. We have kept the waterproofs here ready for them to use when they visit again next year! Thank you Regatta, your generosity is very much appreciated!” Attached is a picture of all the kids in their jackets on one of the visits arrange by the charity. Graham Rickard marketing director said… “This is a really admirable charity as the Chernobyl disaster was such a terrible event. To help improve the health of even a small amount of people is a worthy cause and we wanted to assist. We were more than happy to provide gear to make the kids’ visit more comfortable in the British weather, but also help the organisers easily identify the children on the trips.” We hope the children enjoyed their visit and wish them all the best for the future. We would also like to congratulate Sarah and her colleagues in all the good work they are doing and we’ll be ready to help out again next year. | |
| OPEN FARM SUNDAY - 1 JUNE 2008 – An Opportunity To Feed Your Senses | |
| Being the UK’s No.1 family outdoor clothing company we like to support events, that promote getting out and about in the good old British countryside. For the second year running Regatta have provided t-shirts and jackets for all who help work at the Open Farm Sunday, organised by LEAF. On Sunday 1 June 2008, hundreds of farmers across the country will be opening their gates to the public. Open Farm Sunday, organised by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), offers a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old, to enjoy the living, vibrant countryside. "A day spent in the countryside is a day feeding the senses," says Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF. “With over 500 farms all around Britain expected to open to the public on 1st June, there will be plenty of opportunities to take time to listen to the birds, soak up the scenery nurtured by the farmer, experience the smells of the farmyard and really get in touch with the land that sustains us. It is a great chance to discover at first hand what it means to be a farmer – and even taste the produce that comes from the land” Open Farm Sunday is a great day out families, ramblers, birdwatchers and school children alike, to learn more about where our food comes from, and the work farmers do. By protecting the environment and nurturing the wildlife it supports; and protection water, soil and air quality, farmers are ensuring the continuity of supply of wholesome food. LEAF farmers are committed to a sustainable system of agriculture, which meets the economic needs of farmers, addresses the concern of consumers and minimises any impact on the environment. |  |
| The 2008 event follows the success of Open Farm Sunday 2007, where over 450 farms across the country opened their gates, welcoming 150,000 members of the public on to their farms. Graham Rickard Marketing Director of Regatta says…. “We are proud to support such a great event which promotes the whole family enjoying the outdoors, something which is integral in Regatta’s brand ethos. Last year was a real success and we wanted to maintain our support by sponsoring Open Farm Sunday 2008. We hope good weather makes the day even better, but the jackets and t-shirts should help the workers feel comfortable whatever the weather” | |
| CYCLING BACK TO HAPPINESS - ADVENTURE ON THE NORTH SEA CYCLE ROUTE | |
| We have many interesting people contacting us through our Regatta website and we were recently contacted by a man called Bernie Friend. Bernie has recently written book called Cycling Back to Happiness - Adventure on the North Sea Cycle Route, charting his two-wheeled journey. The 36-year-old took on the longest signposted coastal cycle path in the world for Cancer Research UK, after losing both his mum and mother-in-law to brain tumours within just 12 tragic months. A complete novice to long distance cycling, Bernie confronted many demons on his epic journey - a coastal cycle route which circles 6,000 kilometres of the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Scotland and England. Arm wrestling drunken trawler men, a geriatric half marathon, Viking bring-and-buy sales, decapitated pirates, burning witches, Shakin' Stevens mega mixes, sea crossing motorways, walking sand giants and remote islands which most people can't even be bothered to mark on a map are just some of the secrets coughed up by the North Sea Cycle Route. The book is currently getting rave reviews across media and publications, including Adventure Travel Magazine, a national publication, where it has been awarded Star Book of the Month in the last issue, giving Bernie star billing above the likes of Dave Gorman and Bear Grylls. He contacted and informed us that throughout his journey’s he had been wearing Regatta gear, which lived up to the challenge of many weather conditions! Some of the kit used by Bernie was the Panacea, an A/W07 jacket. It is one of our more technical X-ert jackets and is made from waterproof and breathable Isotex 10000 XPT jackets. With features including taped seams, studded and Velcro storm flaps and drain channel, underarm ventilation zips, Bernie couldn’t have chosen a better jacket for his journeys. |  |
| Bernie said…. "The Regatta jacket was one of the most important parts of my kit. The weather can change very quickly when you are so exposed next to the coast and it was comforting to know I had a sturdy jacket which could keep me dry when the heaven's decided to open. It also kept out the wind-chill factor, especially on Denmark's Jutland coast, when the weather can be good, but the wind still blows right through you. It was important to have a jacket, which covered the top half of my body and also had a hood, which could be pulled tightly around my head and actually stayed, in place. I also put the jacket to good use in my tent, laying it out under my sleeping bag, to keep the ground frost at bay under my tent. It was such an important piece of kit.” (Please visit the Product pages on our website for all information on SS/08 products) We’d like to thank Bernie for contacting us about his journeys and are proud that are products performed above and beyond his expectations. Cycling Back to Happiness is available to buy and order in all leading book stores across Europe, or from www.amazon.co.uk, www.sustransshop.co.uk, www.waterstones.com, www.tesco.com, info@penpress.co.uk and www.berniefriend.com, and Regatta wish Bernie every success with it. If he decides to embark on another adventure, Regatta will be more than happy to provide full kit along the way! | |
| STEVE HOWE UPDATE.....REGATTA PUT TO THE TEST IN MONACO | |
| Further to the last story below Steve Howe has been busy testing Regatta in Monaco..... "I had the chance to try some of the latest Regatta clothing I while working in the Mercantour National Park in France and climbing down in Monaco. It was cool out of the sun in the bigger mountains and I was using the new Octane jacket on the Via Ferrata. The jacket has some great features and the shorter length makes it very practical with and without a harness. Down at the rock climbing site the Epicentre in XLT softshell over a base layer was a really comfortable combination to work in while I was instructing my group. Rockfold XLT trail shoes were a good choice for the walk into the crag. " For more information on the products tested by Steve, please visit the product section of our web. Keep up the good work Steve! |  |
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