Old town seafront is packed with huge crowds for the Leigh Regatta (From Echo)

Old town seafront is packed with huge crowds for the Leigh Regatta

7:30pm Monday 17th September 2012 in News By Jasmin McDermott

THOUSANDS of visitors packed into sunsoaked Old Leigh on Saturday for the start of a weekend full of traditional seaside entertainment.

The popular Leigh Regatta transformed the cobbles of the old town, as young and old enjoyed old-fashioned fun and frolics, including tug-of-war, welly hoying, banana and cracker eating competitions, as well as an organised pillow fight.

Community groups got into the spirit of the weekend with rowing races, dinghy tug-of-war and a sandcastle competition.

Stalls filled with traditional games, including coconut shys, lucky dip and hoop a duck, were firm favourites with visitors as they wandered along the High Street and listened to live music.

The history of the old town was also on display at the heritage centre, which stayed open on both days.

The annual regatta was organised by the 4th/6th Leigh Sea Scouts, 3rd Chalkwell Bay Sea Scouts and Southend West Explorers, who benefited from the generous financial support of people who attended.

The rest of the proceeds were donated to children’s charity Action Medical Research.

Brian Baker, chairman of the organising committee, said: “It has been an excellent weekend and the old town was packed. Each year it seems to be getting bigger and better and we always want to get as many people to come along as possible. There is a real variety of activities on offer for everyone. The highlight for me was to see everyone happy and enjoying themselves.”

Organisers hope when the total has been finalised, it will amount to at least £1,500. Carole Mulroney, committee member of the Leigh Society, which runs the heritage centre, said: “It was absolutely fantastic and we had lots of people come to the heritage centre to learn more about Leigh’s history. The atmosphere was amazing.”

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