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A Whitby Regatta to remember - PICTURE GALLERIES
PERFECT weather made for a fantastic three days as Whitby staged its 169th regatta, attracting record crowds.
Organisers have hailed the event a huge success with well over 50,000 people enjoying the sights and sounds.
Such was its immense popularity, programmes had sold out by Saturday lunchtime and the West Cliff was thronging with visitors taking in the entertainment.
Vice president of Whitby Regatta, Ivor Greer, said: "Everything went smoothly.
"There was very little trouble that we've heard of. The whole feeling on the West Cliff and Pier Road to anybody we talked to was everyone seemed to be in good spirits and enjoying themselves.
"I think the reason it was so popular is it's a free event and we don't charge gate money although we obviously need people to still give generously.
"People can bring the family along and have a picnic and enjoy three days of family fun.
"The committee have worked really hard and put a good show on.
"It's difficult to pick an individual event as a highlight but obviously the Red Arrows were really really good and the Army helicopter which came in on Regatta Monday was a big attraction – people loved looking around that.
"The parade went smoothly and I think the turnout at the fancy dress was amazing.
"Miss Regatta did a sterling job. It was a regatta to remember."
Unfortunately the Sea King helicopter was only able to perform a display on the Sunday with the lifeboat and coastguards as it was called to take part in a real rescue on the Saturday elsewhere along the coast.
To see a picture gallery of Friday's Revue by Alan Wastell, click here
To see a gallery of Saturday's events, click here
To see a gallery of Sunday's Whitby Regatta pictures, click here
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To see a gallery of Monday's activities, click here
To see a gallery of the Red Arrows in action, click here
And the UK Border Agency’s cutter Vigilant was only able to make a brief visit into the harbour on the Saturday due to the spring tides but it’s hoped the ship will return next year and be berthed next to the Grand Turk.
Mr Greer said thankfully this year none of the market stalls were closed down by trading standards but he said a couple will be losing their pitches for next year.
One had been selling goldfish and the other BB guns which are both forbidden by the organisers.
The regatta’s dedicated team of collectors were out in force throughout the three days and Mr Greer said he hopes they have made a profit.
“If everyone puts in a pound it will pay for the regatta and more,” he said.
“Hopefully we are going to make more than lose money like last year which made a small loss.
“I think the donations were down as people weren’t spending as much and the traders would tell you the same but due to the amount of visitors this year it should balance the books.
“I want to thank all our marshalls for their five days of hard graft and all the businesses and people that chipped in at the last minute to keep the event going.”
Next year will be the 170th Regatta and despite it clashing again with Whitby Folk Week both sets of organisers are keen to improve things more.
Mr Greer said it’s hoped the regatta will continue long into the future.
“Because of the extra training we have given our marshalls and the fact we are constantly looking at health and safety I think we can continue running it long into the future but we need the support of the local community and Scarborough Borough Council to do it,” he added.
On Saturday, the crowds who were spoilt for choice with activities and the West Cliff was heaving with a variety of things to do with face painting, hair braiding and a bouncy castle but the real crowd pleaser seemed to be Captain Kipper’s puppet show.
The baby show drew more than 50 entrants, if not more, but the glamourous granny proved less popular than usual.
The more active visitor had a go at the army assault course while some simply meandered around the stalls or enjoyed viewing the vintage vehicles.
Katy Ketchup the witch was scarily dressed and making the children balloon animals.
She also did magic displays, sing-a-longs and balloon twisting.
There was also kite making and folk dancing including Goathland Plough Stots.
In the afternoon thousands of people found a good vantage point to enjoy the Battle of Britain memorial flight.
The raft race was hilarious with one competitor still wearing a huge grin on his face while splodging home along Church Street later in the evening.
A perfect day was rounded off with the regatta sail past and lifeboat launch before everyone headed home ready for the next two action-packed days.
The Sunday was its usual mix of excitement and laughter as the sun shone on the huge crowds.
With the regatta fully in swing the heady mix of gymnasts and dogs brought a smile to children’s faces.
The Kangaroos Gymnastics Display team certainly lived up to their name as the young acrobats bounced so high they looked as if they would touch the clouds before crashing back to earth with a flourish.
A competition of the four-legged kind was also held on the same say as the Scrufts dog show saw the pouting pooches compete for prizes.
Alongside the classic cars and bikes, there was the gruelling tug of war and the continuation of the rowing races.
High winds caused the cancellation of the Battle of Britain fly past but that was the only sour note on what proved to be a particularly sweet day for all involved.
As the crowds drifted home late into the night there was a sense it had been one the great day’s in the long and distinguished history of this proud event.
Traditionally the busiest day of Whitby Regatta – Regatta Monday – remained true to tradition with thousands of people pouring into town.
As always the morning kicked off with the colourful parade through town with people lining the streets to catch a glimpse of the array of madcap costumes.
Those taking part headed up to Whitby Pavilion where the judges had the difficult task of judging the winners of the annual fancy dress competition.
The streets were awash with people enjoying the hectic rides and browsing the market stalls which lined Pier Road and up to Khyber Pass.
Anticipation was in the air as the Red Arrows blasted through the skies at 2pm with thousands of people along the cliff tops.
They were treated to a magical display with the daring manoeuvres leaving many onlookers open mouthed in amazement.
The evening began with the traditional rowing club presentation in Whitby Pavilion Theatre with cheers and tongue-in-cheek jeers from the crowd as the crew members went up to collect their awards from Miss Regatta and compere for the evening Bill Miller who was helped by partner Jane Kenyon.
As always the evening was rounded off in spectacular fashion with a firework display which ended what has arguably been the best regatta yet.
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Weather for Whitby
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
