Interview with Geoff Holdcroft, former chairman by Julia Jones
Geoff Holdcroft moved to Suffolk in 1985, working for BT. At first, he missed the hills of North Staffordshire where he had grown up but soon discovered the different beauty of the River Deben. He learned to sail on the BT boats at Waldringfield, then bought himself a Mirror dinghy – and after that, a Jaguar 22.
(courtesy Alan Comber)
Within ten years Geoff had joined the Deben Yacht Club in Woodbridge and was involved with people who were involved with the Woodbridge Regatta. His first job as a volunteer for the DYC, however, was to gain advertisements for the annual handbook. This put him in touch with many more interesting people running businesses around the town and surrounding area. Among them was Alan Readhead, a colleague at BT who introduced him to the Regatta committee ‘We need someone to do the same for the Regatta programme,’ said Alan. The Regatta handbook then ran to eight pages so the revenue from advertisements also helped support the costs of the Regatta infrastructure – items such as the public address system and First Aid attendance. Geoff took on the job.
Boat trip on the Deben
Hook the duck (courtesy Alan Comber)
In 2002 he became treasurer of the DYC and moved into Woodbridge from Bucklesham Road. In those days he remembers particularly the role played by Sue Annett, wife of David Annett, manager of Everson’s Boatyard. But wider circumstances changed, some people drifted away and in 2003, there was no Woodbridge Regatta. This was a low moment in long history of the Regatta. Nigel Barrett, then the mayor of Woodbridge called a public meeting to revive the event and Geoff found himself volunteering to take on the chairmanship. The Woodbridge Scouts groups and the Lions Club also stepped forward to offer support.
The Regatta was saved and began to take on its current form, including, for instance, raft-racing. In those days there was still a greasy pole event, off the corner of the Ferry Quay — until Health and Safety got word of it. Geoff notes that the pole itself still survives, stored in the Tidemill Yacht Harbour—just in case sufficient insurance should ever be available to revive this iconic event. A community award given to the Regatta by BT in 2006 was a great help at this time and was received by Geoff, together with Jim Bidwell, the new mayor of Woodbridge. (Geoff himself was Mayor in 2014).
5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts
Getting ready for the Raft Race
Raft race
Geoff was still selling advertisements for the handbook to help cover the Regatta running costs. Woodbridge Town Council paid the insurance and there were bucket collections for charity. But money was still needed for PA systems and first aid cover. It took a lot of work to solicit the adverts then format them for publication in the handbook. Geoff and the Regatta committee began the development towards a Riverside Fair approach. From the late 2000s, rent from a wide variety stall holders paid for this Regatta infrastructure while collections for local charities still continued. Geoff’s mother, for instance, would station herself with a bucket at the railway crossing, demanding £1 coins from passersby before she would let them cross(!)
Geoff remained Regatta chairman until 2023 when he handed on to Thomas Yeung. Thomas, who has made such a significant contribution locally, is now moving away and the Regatta chairmanship will become vacant once again. Also, on June 29th this year, the involvement of the Woodbridge Lions Club will come to an end. Like so many organisations they are experiencing a shortage of volunteers – though fortunately for the Regatta, Woodbridge Rotary Club are increasingly supportive
‘We must not let the regatta die,’ says Geoff. He describes the Regatta as the most intergenerational of all the river events and one which caters for people both on the water and beside it. A new chairman will be guaranteed so much support and will be ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’. Geoff himself is also involved with the Choose Woodbridge initiative and has been aware of comments that the Regatta doesn’t always connect effectively with the town. Hence, for instance, this year’s Spot the Duck competition. 30 shops throughout the town will have ducks in their windows, promoting a wildlife theme and ready to be spotted by local children. There will be a prize handed out at the river on Regatta Sunday.
People in Woodbridge should not become detached from the Deben. Historically it’s the lifeblood of the town and still, today, it’s what makes Woodbridge special. Maintaining the Regatta is an annual means of retaining interest in the river. Perhaps it’s time to introduce wild swimming event or paddleboard racing? After years of involvement Geoff remains fully committed to the Woodbridge Regatta, though he doesn’t want to take on the chairmanship again. This year will be the 187th event. The Regatta needs to be looking ahead to the 200th Anniversary in 2038 It needs a new chairman for the new generation.
This year’s Woodbridge Regatta will take place on Sunday June 29th. For details see https://www.facebook.com/WoodbridgeRegatta
(courtesy Woodbridge Museum)
(courtesy Woodbridge Museum)
(courtesy Woodbridge Museum)
(courtesy Woodbridge Museum)