Overview
Overview
From BBC article:
OLD GAFFERS FESTIVAL CANCELLED DUE TO RISING COSTS
18 September 2018
One of the Isle of Wight’s most popular sailing events has been cancelled with organisers blaming a lack of volunteers and rising costs.
The Old Gaffers Festival celebrated sailing barges, steam and motor craft with a particular style of gaff rigging.
It was first staged in 1997 and had attracted up to 30,000 people.
Organiser Debbie Cotton said the costs of putting on the event had risen to £100,000 and it was no longer “viable”.
The last event was held in Yarmouth in May 2017 after a decision in 2015 to hold the festival biannually.
Ms Cotton said staging the festival had been a “massive responsibility” and “at some point, I had to decide that it’s not viable”.
“I don’t want to do anything half-cock and this has probably been the most successful event in the West Wight for more than 20 years,” she added.
“I feel that now is the time to step aside and let someone else do something different.”
She said any money held by the organisers would be given to good causes in the town and there were plans for a commemorative garden dedicated to the old gaffers.
From Old Gaffers Festival website:
Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival will start at 12:00 noon on Friday 2nd June until Sunday 4th June 2017.
Celebrating our 20th year, the theme will be: All Things Maritime! and our chosen charity is the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
As ever we welcome visitors and islanders alike to come and watch the magnificent Gaff Rigged boats racing in the Solent and brilliantly dressed in the Harbour.
There will be plenty of free entertainment onshore with music and street theatre, as well as a variety of international and local stalls selling crafts and wares including our wonderful farmers market and the new Pavillion on the green. There is a funfair for the children and a fantastic Classic Car display in the Big Boys Toys field.
On Friday and Saturday evening there are some spectacular bands for dancing in our Famous Marquee and Character Inns Bar on the Quay. Tickets will cost £10.00.
Please support us by buying a programme. £1 of every sale is donated to the Air Ambulance charity.
After a break last year, the Festival returns with the generous support of Wightlink and Visit Isle of Wight and the Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners; plus many other sponsors including Watermark, Warners, Southern Vectis, The Town Council and The Town Trust.
Without these organisations, including the amazing support of our local community police, it simply would not be possible to find the means to put on such a unique and fabulous event. Thank you all!
The Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival is a community event run entirely by volunteers, we are nationally recognised and attract thousands of visitors to the Island.
Yarmouth
United Kingdom
