ORGANISERS of this year’s Wivenhoe Regatta are looking for old programmes to mark the Olympic and Jubilee-themed event.

As well as planning a series of family-fun events and a stellar display of more serious boat racing, the organising committee want to create a commemorative programme.

It is hoped the schedule will include excerpts and photographs from Wivenhoe Regatta’s past, and people with programmes from key years marking the Olympics and the Queen’s Jubilee are asked to come forward to help out.

Nenah Troendle, one of the organisers, said: “This really is a special year and we want to recognise it with a special programme.

“Mike at the Nottage Maritime Institute has a number of old programmes but we would really like to find one from a jubilee, coronation or Olympic year.

“We are also hoping to print the schedule itself in a traditional style to create something people will want to keep.”

The regatta dates back to the late 19th century and there is a disagreement as to whether it began as a chance for sailors looking for work to showcase their skills, or as a celebratory event.

This year’s regatta is on July 21 between 11am and 5pm with the traditional pram race, featuring adults mother and babies in a run around town, kicking off festivities the night before.

Art and craft stalls will centre around the Nottage Maritime Institute on The Quay, with the Wivenhoe Sailing Club running events on the water.

Events include a home-made raft race and children’s races, while Punch and Judy and a brass band will perform at the water’s edge.

If you have an old programme, would like to enter the pram race or simply want more information please email nenah_troendle@yahoo.co.uk.

Special years to look out for:

• London Olympics - 1948

• Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II - 1953

• Queen’s Silver Jubilee - 1977

• Queen’s Gold Jubilee - 2002