Supporting the Match

BECOMING A PATRON OF THE THAMES MATCH
The most visible and effective way of supporting this special heritage event is by becoming a Patron of the Match. If you sign up now you'll be supporting the 2010 event. As a private individual, couple, or family, this involves setting up an annual donation of £35 [or greater at your discretion] using a Bank Standing Order form [here]. Alternatively if you are a business organisation or charity a donation of any sum over £100 would be welcome. If you fall somewhere in between e.g. a club, society or association, then any sum between £35 and £100 can be donated - at your discretion. In return, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that you've helped keep a remarkable maritime heritage event alive for yet another year on the River Thames. It started well over 140 years ago and is still going thanks to its Match Committee of volunteers and support from past and present Patrons. There aren't many opportunities these days in which you can make your mark in such a unique way! Once you're a Patron there'll be some benefits. The main one is the Thames Match Quartet - a group of four publications written so as to complement each other, which are issued free to Patrons. They are published by the Match Committee exclusively for the event and cannot be found in bookshops, libraries or on-line.
*THAMES MATCH QUARTET*
	As soon as the funds you provide to become a Patron are received by the Hon. Secretary you will be sent the first of the four publications. This is the Official Guide To The Thames Sailing Barge Match, printed in colour. It provides a detailed explanation of the weekend of the match in terms of what happens, when and how and who does what. Little or no knowledge of Gravesend, sailing barges, the match, or nautical matters is assumed. It contains amongst other things the race flags and house flags ["bob"] which can be used to identify the barges and satellite views of the race course with noteworthy sea and landmarks included. You’ll find it invaluable if you intend to take photographs as you'll be able to work out in advance where you need to be and when. It is is a new publication being introduced for the first time for the benefit of Patrons of the 2010 Match, and subsequently. As the content does not change each year, you will only receive one copy of it - when you sign up to become a Patron for the first time.
	A copy of the *Souvenir Programme* will posted to you about two weeks before the match. This is the second publication and a past example is shown left. It is a monochrome publication printed in pale blue and the barge on the cover is always the previous year's "Champion of the Thames". It gives a brief history of the match and its format, lists which barges are expected to take part [with Race Masters' and owners' names], provides local nautical information, and details of the prizes that are available to be awarded. The Programme also contains contact details for booking motor excursion vessels that take individual passengers, or groups, to follow the event. This is also provided for barges that can be chartered via individual or group bookings to follow the event, or even race with passengers on board. The contents change each year so you'll continue to receive it as long as you remain a Patron. Note: the Programme is made available to the public, on the day, on board various vessels that follow the match, but it has to be purchased.
	Most importantly you'll have your name included in the Patrons' page on the back cover of the Programme. This assures your place in the history of the Thames Match for posterity. The image at the left is a typical example. [It has a hyperlink to a higher resolution version on a separate page] If your Patrons' Application Form arrives two weeks before the match is due your name will be included in the Souvenir Programme. However, if it arrives afterwards don't worry. Although you won't appear in the Programme you will appear in the Match Report. This contains a "final" list of Patrons for the year in question - so you or the person you set up the arrangement as a gift will still be recorded for posterity!
	You'll receive a copy of the Match Report [incorporating the Patrons' Newsletter]. This is the third publication and a past example is shown left. It is a colour publication and the barge on the cover is always the current year's "Champion of the Thames". The Report is not for sale, or available to the public. It contains the important Officer of the Day's Report and the Time Keeper's Report on the recent match, colour photos of the highlights of the event, including those of the winning barges. It also includes information that the Committee think you would be interested in regarding the historic aspects of the Match, and any initiatives for the future. The Match Report is posted to Patrons two to three weeks after the event. If for any reason you were not able to be at the match, the Report can be an interesting consolation - and a way of keeping up to date. You'll continue to receive it each year, for as long as you remain a Patron.
	The last publication is Across Three Centuries: A Short History Of The Thames Sailing Barge Match. It tells the story of the Thames Match from 1863 to the present. It is printed in colour and contains over 80 illustrations, many of which are historical novelties. It provides a fascinating story which includes, amongst other things, Henry Dodd himself, Charles Dickens father and son, Russian royalty, paddle steamers, gold and silver cups and medallions, and of course plenty of famous racing barges and people. It is is a new publication being introduced for the first time for the benefit of Patrons of the 2010 Match, and subsequently. As its content does not change each year, you will only receive one copy of it - in December of the year when you sign up to become a Patron for the first time.
AND FINALLY - SOME EXTRAS
	When you get your Souvenir Programme you'll receive a copy of the year's Historic Poster promoting the event. A past example is shown left. It will have a different barge race image each year, relating to the Thames Match. This will have been specially selected from the archives of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, by the Hon. Secretary. It is usually issued with your Souvenir Programme. You can display it where you think it might generate some interest, and encourage people to attend the event.
	Then in December, you'll receive a Season's Greetings card from the Chairman and Match Committee. A past example is shown left. This, amongst other things, is a "Thank you" for being a Patron. Each year it has a different historic image on the cover and on the inside relating to the Thames Match. You'll continue to receive one each year for as long as you remain a Patron.
On behalf of the Match Committee, many thanks, in anticipation of your support. The Patrons' Application Form is here. Return to Front Page Page established Aug. 13, 2004; Page completely revised April 26, 2009 & Nov. 16, 2009 Page last edited: M. W. 2009 Visits since Nov. 16 , 2009: