The Dusty Barrel makes a splash at the
RNLI Great Waterside Raft Race
with hotline™ T-shirts

The Dusty Barrel Pub’s raft team turned heads at the RNLI Great Waterside Raft Race at Hythe Marina, wearing custom printed T-shirts supplied by hotline™. Read our Q&A with team leader Rob Cook on branding, community and the benefits of quality promo wear.

The Dusty Barrel Pub Raft Team were out in force at the RNLI Great Waterside Raft Race at Hythe Marina, sporting eye-catching printed T-shirts supplied by hotline™. The annual Waterside Raft Race has been a firm community favourite for decades, drawing big crowds, fundraising for the RNLI and creating a lively day out for local businesses and residents.

Rob Cook, leader of the Dusty Barrel raft team, explained why the pub gets involved. The raft race is “a fun community event we love to be involved in,” he said, adding with a grin that “someone had to challenge Ebeneezers,” a local rival pub team. That friendly competition is exactly what makes events like this great for local trading and brand visibility.

Why work with hotline™?

hotline™ was already a trusted name for promotional products and, conveniently, based not far from the event. That local connection made hotline™ an obvious choice when The Dusty Barrel wanted professionally printed shirts that matched their pub branding.

The 2024 and 2025 raft races have seen excellent turnout and strong fundraising results, with organisers thanking volunteers, competitors and local sponsors for their support. The event’s mix of stalls, food vendors and entertainment helped attract large crowds and create a real festival atmosphere, which had a positive knock-on effect for nearby businesses.

Rob reported that the race day boosted trade at The Dusty Barrel. “The race this year was a great success. The event attracted a huge crowd and the weather was perfect so our pub was much busier than usual.” Clear brand presence at an event like this can turn curious spectators into regular customers, and that was exactly what happened for The Dusty Barrel.

How did the T-shirts perform?

Rob was enthusiastic. The shirts “were brilliant, they made our team look more professional and recognisable.” He noted that the design fitted perfectly with their branding and that the quality of the shirts and the printing was high. Teams and spectators alike commented positively, and the shirts helped The Dusty Barrel stand out both on the water and onshore.

Branding matters, Rob emphasised. “Branding is essential at events like this. People are much more likely to recognise and remember brand logos and colours rather than just the name of a business.” For a community pub, being visible at local events reinforces goodwill and keeps the name in people’s minds long after the race.

Looking ahead, Rob was clear about The Dusty Barrel’s plans. When asked if they would use similar promotional items again, he said “Yes,” and stressed how valuable professional, well designed merchandise can be for event marketing and sponsorship opportunities.

If your organisation is planning to sponsor, enter or simply attend a community event, take a lesson from The Dusty Barrel. Professional promotional items such as team T-shirts do more than look good on the day; they build recognition, encourage social sharing and can help convert visitors into customers. For local suppliers, partnering with a trusted promotional brand can save time and ensure that your materials reflect your identity and values.

For more information about the Waterside Raft Race and the RNLI event at Hythe Marina,
see the official event page.

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