Regatta confirm continued support for Open Farm Sunday.

Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic opportunity for everyone, young and old to enjoy the living, vibrant countryside. Take time to listen to the birds, soak up the scenery, experience the smells of the farmyard and really get in touch with the land that feeds us. Discover at first hand what it means to be a farmer and taste the produce. So come and feed your senses on Open Farm Sunday on 7th June.

Each event will be unique with its own activities - based around the host farm’s own individual story. Activities during the day may include a farm walk, nature trail, tractor & trailer rides, pond dipping, activities for kids, mini farmers market or picnics.
As clothing Official Clothing Sponsors, Regatta will kit out all the host farmers in Polo Shirts and provide financial backing to ensure as many people as possible can get out and enjoy all there is to offer.

Regatta’s Marketing Director Graham Rickard commented: “Open Farm Sunday is a fantastic family event, which is both fun and educational. It encourages families to get into the outdoors and support local farmers. Regatta is a family run outdoor clothing company offering great value quality garments ... protecting the family against our unpredictable Great British Weather!”

To find your local ‘Open Farm’ or see how to apply to participate visit the Open Farm Sunday site at www.farmsunday.org.

Regatta hits the TV

In an unprecedented move for the brand, Regatta, the UK’s largest family outdoor clothing brand has demonstrated its continued commitment to the growth of the business by sponsoring a primetime TV programme on ITV.

Countrywise will be presented by Paul Heiney, the TV reporter who started his career in That’s Life, as he explores Britain's countryside and meets the people who make it special. It will combine items presented by Heiney with features drawn from ITV's regions and it will explore the breadth of Britain's countryside, from its crumbliest coastline and happiest valley, to its secret tunnels, rescued gardens and haunted hills.

It is the perfect vehicle for Regatta to promote its quality, value for money outdoor clothing, particularly as more people are looking to the UK for their holidays this year. Countrywise will provide them with a reminder of what is on offer on their doorstep.

A bold move some might say, with a sponsorship worth £750 K, but having had an increase in sales of 28% for 2008, a Group turnover of over £110m in the year to Jan 31 2009 and a positive start to 2009, Regatta has every reason to be optimistic.

Graham Rickard, Marketing Director for Regatta says,

“There is clearly a trend for people to turn to value for money quality outdoor brands instead of their more expensive competitors. If you add this to the fact that more people are holidaying in the UK and therefore requiring suitable clothing, we believe we can only benefit from these moves.”

The TV sponsorship also ties in beautifully with Regatta’s current print ad campaign, which explores the theme of local heroes in the community.

REGATTA TRIED AND TESTED BY THE BEST!

Here at Regatta, quality and innovation is paramount when developing our new products. We constantly strive to provide great value gear. So, what is the best way to achieve this…? By exposing our new products to the elements and ensuring they are tried and tested by an outdoor expert like Steve Howe.
Steve is a professionally qualified mountaineering instructor, he holds the highest qualification in the Mountain Instructor Scheme and has over 30 years experience. He has introduced many people to the joys of being in the great outdoors including hill walking, mountaineering, rock climbing, scrambling, and technical snow and ice climbing. His dedication has even earned him an honour by The Queen, with membership of The Royal Victorian Order for his commitment to using adventurous outdoor activities to develop potential in young people.

Steve knows the importance of having the appropriate equipment to deal with the vast range of weather conditions our British weather can throw at us and his extensive experience proves invaluable in testing and refining Regatta Clothing.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Steve and we hope to work with him on many seasons to come to keep Regatta at the top of its game! Steve says: “I am proud to make a contribution to Regatta, it is an organisation which increases the enjoyment of so many people in the outdoors by offering value for money clothing which really works.” The pictures to the right were taken recently in the Lake District on a particularly winters day, walking with his 15 year old son on Bannerdale Crags. On this occasion it was the men’s Graben Jacket being put to the test. Steve says: “I like and trust the Graben for days like this in the lakes. It packs down small when in the rucksack and I have always stayed dry! Even when making my way uphill in the worst weather I rarely get unacceptable condensation on the inside. The pit zips really help to keep the airflow going inside the jacket. As winter turns to spring, the Lakes can have contrasting conditions on the fells with full winter conditions on Hellvellyn and the other high tops and warm sunshine out on the fringes in the places like Mungrisedale in the NE lakes. The day after these photos were taken I was running on the fells in Taiga top and shorts but with an Iridium jacket tied around the waist just in case! ”

Regatta helps locals schools to get fit and healthy

Local school Pupils are being encouraged by Regatta to work towards a healthier lifestyle. We are currently supporting a number of Walking Bus schemes within the Trafford area and have plans to show our support to additional schools within the North West for 2008.

Schools currently taking part in the Walking Bus programme include St Mary’s CE Primary School and St Michael’s in Flixton. With the help of Regatta, volunteers and Trafford City Council, pupils walk to and from school safely. The scheme encourages parents to leave their car at home, which helps to ease congestion and provide a great form of exercise for the children.
Regatta offers assistance by providing fluorescent waistcoats to ensure the pupils wearing them can seen by drivers in the busy rush hour traffic. In addition, Regatta also offers all the children who take part regularly the opportunity to be entered into a monthly prize drawer, with the chance to win Regatta clothing.

In addition to the Walking Bus initiative, Regatta is also supporting the Trafford School Meals Week, which is aimed at educating children about eating a nutritious and balanced diet.

Regatta Support Young People Through Raleigh International Partnership

Regatta is delighted to announce its exciting new partnership with leading youth development charity Raleigh International.

The two parties have agreed upon a long-term partnership that sees Raleigh International become Regatta’s official partner for the newly created Regatta Foundation. The Foundation’s aim is to provide disadvantaged young people the opportunity to receive worthwhile and life-enhancing experiences in the great outdoors.

Initially, Regatta is funding a number of assisted places on Raleigh International’s overseas programmes for young people in the Manchester area. Raleigh International’s young volunteers come from all nationalities and backgrounds, places will be offered to those who complete up to 200 hours of volunteer work in their local community. The programmes are designed to help develop life-skills and self-confidence. ,br>
Speaking about the new collaboration, Graham Rickard, Regatta’s Marketing, Design, Product and Export Director:

“We are very excited about our new partnership, Raleigh International is the ideal charity for us. Raleigh International exists to help young people achieve personal growth and development in a fun and challenging environment through its exciting and worthwhile overseas volunteering opportunities. “

For more information on Raleigh International visit their website: www.raleighinternational.org

Scout Jamboree

For 2007, Regatta has forged a 3 year partnership with the Scout Association and the first major initiative that we will be involved with is its 21st World Scout Jamboree.

6000 international volunteers will join 32,000 14-18 year old Scouts and their leaders for 12 days at the 21st World Scout Jamboree in Hylands Park, Essex.

But, the Jamboree isn't just for those camping - Scouting and Guiding members young and old, as well as friends, family and supporters are encouraged to come along and sample the atmosphere for themselves.

For information Please Vist www.scouts.org

CELEBRITIES WEAR THEIR REGATTA GEAR OUT

Regatta is embarking on its first major celebrity advertising campaign since the 90’s, teaming up with four well-known outdoor enthusiasts – Bill Oddie, Janet Street Porter, Michaela Strachan and Peter Duncan. The advertising images photographed by world famous portrait photographer John Rankin, hit the press from March.
The celebrities were chosen for the campaign, costing half a million pounds, for several reasons:
Bill Oddie – The well-loved presenter of the BBC shows, Springwatch and Autumnwatch. Bill is also a highly regarded presenter on a variety of other wildlife and bird watching programmes, encouraging families to enjoy the outdoors.

Graham Rickard, Marketing Director at Regatta adds: “We wanted celebrities with strong associations to the great outdoors and people the whole family will recognise and relate to. All of the celebrities were great to work with and it’s a real coo for Regatta to have the whole campaign photographed by the exceptionally talented Rankin. Each portrait incorporates our strap line ‘Wear it out’ alongside a description of where and what activity the celebrities were captured doing. Our overall aim for the campaign is to encourage families to wear their Regatta gear outdoors, while also emphasising the superb quality of Regatta clothing by challenging you to “wear out” the kit. ”
A wide range of national press has been chosen to feature the campaign from March onwards. Keep an eye out in national newspaper supplements including The Daily Mail, Independent, The Guardian, The Times, and Observer Magazine, as well as some general interest and women magazines including Hello, Woman & Home, Marie Claire, Country Living and Good House Keeping. Targeting these established publications will help Regatta reach an audience of over 11 million people.