Sponsored by
Chelsie named as this year's Miss Regatta for Whitby
WHITBY'S 170th annual regatta kicks off this weekend, expecting to draw in bigger crowds than ever.
A spectacular Red Arrows display, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, pig racing and a 100-year-old carousel are just some of the exciting attractions lined up for this year's extravaganza.
And this year's Miss Regatta has been named as 20-year-old Chelsie Jennison, of Whitby, and she is excited to be a part of the big event.
Chelsie, who works at Netherby House in Sleights, and has also recently started her own beauty therapy business, said: "I am looking forward to seeing all the children's faces as I wave to them.
"I remember when I was a little girl I used to love it if I caught Miss Regatta's eye."
Highlights for Chelsie will be the Red Arrows, the Grand Baby Competition and the Glamorous Granny Competition, but she added: "The fireworks are always the best bit."
Chelsie will have plenty of supporters at the regatta to cheer her on, but she is sad that one member of the family will not be there to watch proudly.
She said: "My great-grandma passed away last year, she always loved Whitby Regatta and she would have pushed her way to the front to see me."
The newly-crowned Miss Regatta, taking over from 2009's Jess Nightingale, was secretly nominated by her mum.
The regatta's jam-packed schedule of activities runs from Saturday through until the Grand Fireworks Display at 9.45pm on Monday night and Whitby Regatta President Jane Kenyon hopes the weekend will provide entertainment for all and will respect the true family spirit of Whitby.
She said: "It is a very special weekend, as Whitby celebrates being the oldest regatta in the country, it should be one big birthday party."
Miss Kenyon paid tribute to all those who have taken pride in Whitby Regatta over the years.
She said: "We need to remember all the people who have worked so hard over the years to preserve the heritage of Whitby by perpetuating the event and to acknowledge the huge responsibility and hard work that the current committee puts into each event."
The town will be bursting at the seams as for the second year running the regatta takes place alongside Whitby Folk Week.
Pubs, clubs and streets will be full of music and dancing, promising to make the busy weekend one big celebration.
* for more details of the folk events turn to page 29.
* for information on the regatta, including some changes to the itinerary and programme, turn to page 14.
* don't forget to email your pictures of the regatta and folk week to: editorial@whitbygazette.co.uk
Or you can update your pictures to our yourphotos section at www.whitbygazette.co.uk
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Whitby
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -4 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 25 mph
Wind direction: South
