Welcome! It's November 12, 2024.

Brightlingsea Info

Community News & Events

Traditional craft create a spectacle not to be missed

Smacks off Bateman's Tower at a previous smack and barge match
By:
Staff Reporter

The annual Colne Smack and Barge match takes place on Saturday (September 14) – a spectacle that will see working boats and barges racing off Brightlingsea.

With the start line extending from Bateman’s Tower, Brightlingsea folk have an excellent vantage point to see the craft – some approaching 150 years old – jockeying for position.

Thames barges, with their distinctive spritsail rigs, will start at 11am, followed by the smacks – traditional fishing boats – at 11.30am and Mersea fisherman’s open boats at noon.

The prizegiving will take place in the evening at Brightlingsea Sailing Club.

Watch last year’s start here: https://youtu.be/pgdylXP2dWw?si=GxnHaTTMjMLOf_rV

Get the info newsletter
  • Sign up for the Brightlingsea Info newsletter and keep up with the latest community news and events. Delivered once a week direct to your inbox.
We aim to:
  • Be a trusted source of unbiased news and information
  • Promote local businesses, organisations and events
  • Encourage a sense of community in Brightlingsea
Support us
  • Keeping Brightlingsea Info free costs money. We'd really appreciate a contribution to our costs. Click the button below to show your support. Thanks!
contact us
  • Brightlingsea Info
    7 Marennes Crescent
    Brightlingsea
    Essex CO7 0RX

Sign up for the Brightlingsea Info newsletter

Stay up to date with news and events in the town. Sent once a week to your inbox. No spam guaranteed and you can unsubscribe at any time!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Brightometer form

Give a short description, ie 10 mile sponsored walk.
Add your full name or the name of your group or organisation
DD slash MM slash YYYY

Your details- not for publication

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Add an event to the Brightlingsea Calendar

Contact Brightlingsea Info

We’re always pleased to hear from Brightlingsea Info readers. We're here for the community, so if you’ve something of interest to tell us or some news you think we should know about, drop us a line.

Sign up for the Brightlingsea Info newsletter

Stay up to date with news and events in the town. Sent once a week to your inbox. No spam guaranteed and you can unsubscribe at any time!

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.