Firs : Bridgnorth Raft Regatta 2002   With a 7.30am kick-off from the Firs our teams looked strong & ready for action, after the England match the day before who am I kidding. But they were all there and armed with a beer and Guinness shirt they boarded the vans (Supplied by Castlecroft Post Office & Abbey Cleaning) and set off to Ironbridge.   On arriving at Ironbridge the team stretched and drank protein drinks ready for their ordeal. OK..OK they had another beer and the cigs were crashed out!. And off to the launch. At the launch the teams loaded their aerodynamic super rafts with booze and oars and set about the job at hand.   The Bar Team launched smoothly Jenko standing as foreman keeping his hands clean and the others doing the work, sounds familiar! The Guinness Men had a few problems, their more superior craft unwilling to slide down the ramp. After some assistance and orders barked by their captain the race was on. B Team started the war of wills with buckets of water aimed at the Guinness Men to start the proceedings correctly.   Being the great supporter I am I headed home for a bacon butty and to start on this here page! Tough job but someone's gotta do it!   It was 12 noon in Bridgnorth that the bar team approached the finish just popping the three hour mark after an eventful trip. Although they left ahead of the Guinness Team they were delayed awaiting one of their crewmen, giving the Guinness Men a head start.   This was a lead that was short lived with the Bar Crew steaming on a head, but it was only a ten minute wait before the Guinness Raft came into view. Enacting the true Guinness Irish Theme they appeared rowing backwards, a sight that could only be said to baffle the cheering spectators. This was a technique the captain said afterwards should have been used throughout the journey as they were travelling quicker than they had been when rowing forwards. Confused…so were we!   With both crews having their feet firmly back on ground Mike conceded defeat to the Bar Crew admitting they had the fitter crew. With four years as the faster team the Championship Paddle was once more given to the Bar Crew. Although the true winner as always will be the charities our gallant lads collected the sponsorships for.   Another regatta over the celebrations began with the traditional bbq and beers, cooked by the losing Captain, Mike & his wife Kath, who once more must be thanked by us all for a great day out.   While awaiting final figures, which I will annouce soon, we are confident of raising in excess of £ 3000 for the chosen charties.   Thanks must go out to all the sponsors, the crews and familes and to Mike for making the whole day a great success.   The End...until next year   editor - Paul Griffiths