THE inaugural meeting of the Tamar and Tavy Gig Club was held at Bere Alston Community Hall on February 22.
Bob Turner, one of the club?s founding members, welcomed almost 30 people before introducing Tony Warne from the Cattewater Gig Club.
Mr Warne gave a short slide show about the origins of the Cornish gig and how it was used in bygone days. In addition to its primary use for taking pilots to incoming ships, gigs were used for salvage, rescue and smuggling.
The presentation also included the method of construction, which is still based on the original plans of the Treffry, built in 1838.
Mr Warne described the formation of the Cattewater club and explained how they raise funds for local charities.
After the slide show there was a video featuring the world championships and archive footage of gig racing from the 1950s.
The meeting ended with a gruelling competition to see who could cover the quickest mile on a rowing machine.
The new club, based at Weir Quay on the Bere Peninsula, will apply to Sport England for a grant for a new gig to be built at a cost of around £25,000. It is hoped the boat will be launched in 2004.
A small amount of funding has already been received from the Regional Development Agency, matched by Bere Ferrers Villagers? Group, to help get the club off the ground.
The club is affiliated to the Cornish Pilot Gig Racing Association, and will have sections for juniors, men, ladies and veterans. The cost of all classes during 2003 will be £1.
Anyone interested in this growing sport is welcome to attend a meeting at Tavistock College in the Octagon, starting at 6.30pm on Saturday March 8. For further information, contact Bob Turner on 01822 841464.