renewal of the Royal Patronage. The patron was Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, he last visited the Royal Regatta on its 175th anniversary celebrations in 2019. The patronage was returned to Her Majesty the Queen in 2022. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Regatta Committee took the decision to cancel the event in 2020 - only the 11th time it had been cancelled since 1834. The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta will celebrate its 177th event over the week of 20–27 August 2022, with the detailed Regatta running 24-27 Aug 21 after an Opening Ceremony on Wed 24 Aug 22. The Regatta was awarded a Silver Visit Devon tourism award in 2019, in the category Best Tourism Event/Festival of the year. Events Although the event is described as a regatta, the charter specifically provides that a regatta should take place on the River Dart during a fair in the town. To many visitors, the events in the town are more visible, but there is a vast array of events both on and off the water. Rowing There are two distinct forms of rowing competitions that take place throughout the week. The West of England Amateur Rowing Association holds one stage of its championship on the Thursday. This rowing is in skiffs and sculls, with competitors from across the West of England and further afield - Bexhill Rowing Club and BTC (Southampton) being present at the 2008 regatta. With heats commencing on the Sunday preceding Regatta Week and finals in Regatta Friday, the local rowing is at the heart of Dartmouth Royal Regatta, where local crews (representing pubs and clubs from the town) compete over various distances in purpose built rowing boats. Air displays The regatta has for many years hosted the Red Arrows RAF display team. In recent years, displays have also been made by the Royal Navy Lynx helicopter display team, the Black Cats. In addition, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Typhoon, Harrier and Jaguar aircraft have displayed, along with RN Sea King and Chinook helicopters. In recent years it has also had The Royal Artillery parachute display team landing in the river Dart. More recently, in light of restrictions in place, the focus of the event has been on activities afloat and ashore rather than in the air. Running Organised in association with the Dartmouth Amateur Athletics Club, adult road races to Stoke Fleming (up what