Sunshine Soapbox Spectacle

How time flies.  It’s nearly six years since we last ran a Soapbox Derby and three years since the Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower took over from us.  Fortunately for Billericay, what a success it is making of it, with thousands of enthusiastic spectators and participants turning out to enjoy a spectacular day out.

Preparation

Patrick Rothon provided the venue for the technical scrutineering of the soapboxes on Tuesday April 30, making sure that access was restricted to soapbox teams by “manning” the site from 4 p.m.  The scrutineering itself was led and organised by Rtn. Nick Lang from the Rotary Club of Billericay Town, providing advice on completing unfinished soapboxes or remedying any problems, and the remaining soapboxes checked out on the Derby Day before the racing started.
Roger Kettle formed the team which installed the scrims and trackside banners on the day, and Peter Greene had arranged for the photographers from the last two years, Pete Mitchelmore and Mark Viner.  to support the event,

An Early Start

On Soapbox Derby day, the early shift led by Roger Kettle, turned up at 7.00 a.m., long before any spectators, to erect the “Start and Finish” Rotary Security Scrims and install the Sponsors’ Banners along the track before the first race.  Roger commented “Many thanks to all our team, Brian Wellman, Patrick and Carol Rothon, Robert Godfrey, David Holroyd and granddaughter Hannah.  I am pleased to say that although there were one or two hiccups, all was completed well before the gates opened to the public and most of the team enjoyed a well-earned breakfast.”

Unfortunately, key Sponsors’ banners supplanted Rotary banners by the track jumps so Rotary missed out on the publicity from key photographs of soapboxes “Getting plenty of air!” with Rotary in Billericay in the background.
Les Sheppard ensured the trackside had three Marshal safety positions before meeting up with the Marshals and holding the Marshals’ Briefing.  Once again the Youth Town Councillors had been lined up for this task, including one very young helper!

Race Day

Les and his trusty binoculars managed the marshals and periodically walked the course to ensure that children did not sit on the fencing or had limbs on the wrong side of the barriers.  Some parents again seemed to be oblivious of the danger of soapboxes hurtling down the course, should a soapbox crash into the barriers or fences.  Only when the track was clear, and all safety provisions in place, were all the marshals’ green flags raised and Les raised his green flag to allow each Soapbox to start its “run”.

Peter Greene organised the photographers for the day, and ensured all parts of the event would be photographed, with unedited photographs provided to Mayflower that night and edited versions from all three photographers within 72 hours.

Finally, Patrick, Keith Wood and Gillian were on hand for a session helping steward one of the gates

What a Success

Peter Greene summed it all up:  “Congratulations to Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower for this year’s spectacular and highly successful Billericay Soapbox Derby.  We are delighted that its members are making such a huge success yet again in 2024.   A really enjoyable day and a great event enjoyed by thousands of spectators.    The Imaginative Soapboxes! The Colourful Costumes!  The Competitive Races! The Enthusiastic Teams! Jumps! Crashes! Dances! What a Success!”

“A tremendous effort by all involved. Congratulations on a day which was universally appreciated and raised a huge amount for Charity.  We are delighted to help.”

Spectator Bonanza

After days of rain over preceding weeks up to the Friday, the sun shone on Billericay and thousands bought tickets on the weekend so that multitudes of spectators came along to enjoy the spectacle.   First task of the day - wander round the “pits” with the crowds to see the soapboxes, talk to the teams and enjoy the whole spectacle.
They were many rows deep at the trackside, and looking around the field at the lunch break, there seemed more people there than previous years.   The food stalls were back as usual, with huge queues at lunch time for the delicious food and drinks on offer.

The soapbox races took the morning, but were not the only event of the day, with lunch time entertainment provided by the Helen Arber Theatre Group with extracts from its forthcoming performance of “Rapunzel”, and music on the field by “One Track Mind”. 

Then, at 2 pm, back to the track for the second race for every car which survived the first run in the morning, before everybody retired to the field for the prize-giving to all the winners!

Thank you

Rotary Club of Bil!ericay Mayflower president Barry Fagg opened the prize-giving by thanking all the participants who worked so hard to build soapboxes and compete, and to all the spectators who came and made it such an enjoyable day.  Attendance seemed higher than the previous year.  Another Billericay Mayflower Rotarian added later in the day “A great example of Rotary in Billericay working together!!  

A thank you to judges PDG Jed Brooks, PDG Alan and DG David Willis

Absolutely Brilliant

Spectator comments included:
“So many thank yous to all who gave me an incredible day out with my children and grandchildren. Huge event to put on, and the many many hours put in from everyone. Had the best day and the sun came out and shone on you all.  Thank you all. See you next year.”
“Makes me feel very proud that Billericay has this and other great charity events arranged by such hard-working volunteers.”
“The ... teams kept us entertained with their wacky karts and outfits. Loved seeing the close ups on the large screen.”
“First time going and it was absolutely brilliant. Well done to all the organisers.”
“... What a great day, full of fun and laughter and the event organisers were very helpful and the people of your community can be proud of what you do for the area .... Thank you and hope everyone enjoyed themselves.”
“Brilliant event and so lucky with the weather. The kids thoroughly enjoyed it.”