Manningtree Town Regatta

And we have our first official entry for the Tug of War - Claret & Brew Belles - from (you've guessed it!) Claret and Brew.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday August 2nd!

Who will be our next entry?

Entry forms and details on the Stour Sailing Club Website

Who will triumph in the Tug of War at Regatta this summer?

Last year's hard fought competitions were won by Mistley Rugby Club for the men and the Red Lion for the women.

This is not your standard tug of war experience! The tug is held across the Hard in front of the Sailing Club at low water with one team either side of the Hard in the deep, thick, sticky and somewhat fragrant mud! As teams sink further in to the mud, the rope and hands become muddier and muddier, and Neptune often has to call time to make sure that the Tug finishes before the tide comes in again.

It is definitely an experience to remember. Open to Teams of 8 from local businesses, community groups and sports clubs. Some photos from previous years.

We are looking forward to this year's Regatta - on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August.

As usual there will be sail racing and other activities on the water during the afternoon on both days.

The Regatta Fireworks will be taking place on the evening of Saturday 1 August - with the display set off from the end of the Hard at low water - and the display as soon as it is dark enough (provisionally 9.30 pm).

Then on the morning of Sunday 2 August there will be the traditional Manningtree Mud Sports and Children's Beach Takeover with the action starting from 9.30am. There is still plenty of time to train for the Tug of War (in the mud) and the races across the river (in the mud)!

This year is a special one as the Sailing Club Celebrates the 90th anniversary of its formation in 1936, and it will be the 180th anniversary of the first regatta that we have a record of in 1846.

Continuing our 'Did you Know?' theme. Did you know that the first record that we have of the Manningtree and Mistley Regatta was back in 1846. So not only is Stour Sailing Club celebrating its 90th Anniversary this year, but the it will also be the 180th Anniversary of the first recorded Regatta.

The newspaper report is fascinating, recording dismay at the demolition of Mistley Hall, and the influx of 'recently built houses'. The painting pre-dates the Regatta and shows the now gone Mistley Hall and the Mistley landscape as viewed from Suffolk.

The Regatta featured many rowing events, along with yacht and punt sailing and 'the Duck Hunt which was very good' (no actual ducks involved!)

The day ended with Fireworks - a tradition that continues with the Saturday Evening Regatta Fireworks from the Sailing Club Hard when it gets dark enough - this year Saturday 1st August.

Did you know that Stour Sailing Club organises the Regatta and the Mud Sports including the Fireworks?

Of course you do!

This year's Regatta will be on Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd August with the Regatta Fireworks on Saturday evening 1st August as soon as it is dark enough.

But you may not know that in 2026 we are celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Stour Sailing Club which was officially formed on the 24th January 1936.

Let's make it a year, and a Regatta to remember!

Watch this space for how to get involved.

Breaking News just in from Neptune.

Tides have been arranged for the Manningtree Town Regatta for the weekend of Saturday 1st August and Sunday 2nd August 2026.

We are planning activities on the water in the afternoons of both days, with the Traditional Regatta Fireworks on Saturday evening, and the Mud Sports and Children's Beach Takeover on Sunday Morning.

Hope to see lots of you there

Neptune

It's day two of Regatta and we are setting up for the mud sports and children's beach takeover. The sun is shining, there is plenty of mud and Neptune has arrived.

Come and join us - starting at 9am for the children's race across the river.

Walk down and don't forget that you will need to wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet and muddy if you are doing the mud sports.

We have had a fantastic first day of Regatta, and it's not over yet. The rain has passed through and the evening looks set fair.

Dynamic fireworks are here setting up a fantastic display for the Regatta fireworks. Come and join us on the beach - display will be provisionally 9.30 pm (as soon as it is dark enough).

Then join us tomorrow for the mud sports bright and early for a 9 am start.