Taylor Wimpey makes a splash in Wivenhoe
Leading builder of new homes in Essex Taylor Wimpey East London is helping to keep this year’s Wivenhoe Regatta afloat – by sponsoring the popular riverside spectacular to the tune of £2,000.
The regatta on Saturday, July 17 will see crowds line the mouth of the River Colne in the pretty Essex town of Wivenhoe to cheer on a number of traditional sailing races – plus a handful of sillier events, including the ever-popular pub raft race, with the obligatory egg-and-flour throwing!
There will also be 30 stalls on the quayfront selling a variety of goodies, including local crafts, plus children’s entertainment, food, drink and live music.
In-keeping with its ethos of supporting local community events, Taylor Wimpey – which is behind the stunning Cook’s Shipyard waterside development of new flats in Wivenhoe – has stumped up a large part of the cost of running the regatta.
Vice-chairman of the regatta’s organising committee, John Moores, says: “We came very close to not having a regatta this year. It is run by volunteers, we received no funding and rely on the generosity of local businesses and individuals, so this donation from Taylor Wimpey is extremely welcome.
“Such a large donation not only ensures we have a successful regatta this year, it also means any surplus money can be ploughed into next year’s event, and donated to the town’s Nottage Maritime Institute, which runs traditional boat-building courses and a museum.”
Michael O’Leary, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, says: “The Wivenhoe Regatta has been a focal point for the local community for more than a century, and is the highlight of the town’s events calendar.
“Taylor Wimpey is delighted to be able to contribute to keeping this terrific tradition going – as we are to play such a major part in the revitalisation of the historic waterfront with our superb range of live/work units and flats for sale in Wivenhoe.”
The regatta, which opens at 11am and closes with prize giving at 5.45pm, features an array of impressive and historic watercraft, including elegant century-old ‘smacks’, 15ft ‘Wivenhoe One Design’ dinghies and traditional ‘Old Gaffer’ wooden yachts. All will be arriving at the quay from 4pm onwards, after racing from Brightlingsea.
Cook’s Shipyard is built on the site of a former dockyard which closed in 1982, and Taylor Wimpey’s collection of luxurious waterside apartments has been capturing the hearts of homebuyers keen to find new seaside homes for sale in Essex, or an alternative to flats in Colchester, just four miles from Wivenhoe.
Mr Moores adds: “The original buildings were becoming quite dilapidated and so it is nice to see the yard being regenerated. It will look fantastic when the development is completed, and the waterside living it affords is extremely desirable.
“There are plans to dredge the old wet dockyard next to the development, which will also allow boats to navigate that part of the waterway once again.”
There is a stunning portfolio of brand new one and two-bedroom apartments for sale at Cook’s Shipyard, with prices ranging from just £159,995 to only £249,995.
Cook’s Shipyard Sales Centre is located off Anglesea Road, Wivenhoe, Essex, and is open Thursday to Monday from 10am until 5.30pm.
