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Paul helps keep regatta afloat
Wednesday September 10th 2008. Posted: 09:45
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Members of the Rowhedge Regatta Association in action
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Away from his work as BT Vision’s senior finance manager, Paul Neville enjoys doing something completely different - and helping to run a sailing regatta is something that floats his boat.
Paul has been involved with the Regatta Association in his home village of Rowhedge in Essex for the past three years, when he discovered that the 200-year-old event was in danger of sinking due to a lack of people volunteering their time to organise it. “It appealed to me as something completely different to get involved with,” said Paul. “The village has a strong history of sailing and boat building, and although the boat building has long gone I was keen that the heritage is not forgotten. It also gives people in the village an opportunity to learn about the history and get involved with the activities.” Paul looks after marketing, publicity and sponsorship, with a role that goes from selling advertising for the programme, to writing the programme and doing the artwork. It also involves talking to local businesses to attract sponsorship and liaising with local press organisations to publicise the event in the months running up to the event, as well as on the day itself. “During my time with the group, I have enjoyed doing things completely different from my day job,” said Paul. “I look after marketing, publicity and sponsorship as well as running the website - it is completely different from working in finance. “Just writing the programme takes about three months of work in evenings and at weekends, and maintaining the website is an all-year round activity. “My financial background is a help, however. The costs of running the event increase relentlessly, so good budget control and sound commercial decision-making is as applicable to a small voluntary village organisation like this as it is in BT.” Paul has just received £100 for the group in the BT Community Champions scheme, which will contribute towards the running costs of the annual regatta.
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Last updated:
09:56