Plans are almost complete for this year’s Festival on May 31st, June 1st & 2nd.

This year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Old Gaffers Association.

The opening of this year’s Festival takes place on The Quay at 12 noon on Friday May 31st starting the proceedings for the 17th year! Vectis Corps of Drums will process to the Quay in time to welcome ‘Neptune’ (The God of Water and The Sea), who will perform the opening ceremony, having arrived by sea on the beautiful old gaffer, Iseult.

The Old Gaffers Association, started in 1963, now has a membership of around 1,500 in the UK, and more overseas. For those who do not know, an ‘old gaffer’ is a sailing boat with a four-sided mainsail, rather than the more common three-sided, or Bermudan, sail.

A small group of keen yachtsmen staged the fist Old Gaffers race, when they were excluded from yachting events because their yachts were seen to be too old. The group became larger and the Association was formed. The OGA has kept the ‘gaff rig’ alive and the fleet now includes, amongst the old, some very modern designs of great speed, power and beauty.

The OGA participates in many organised festivals and events including the one here in Yarmouth!

The Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival committee (all volunteers) work closely with the OGA to create a warm welcome for the visiting yachtsmen.

So, Yarmouth town and harbour will embrace yet another fun filled weekend of entertainment and interesting things to see and do for the whole family.

The harbour will be filled with the visiting gaff rigged vessels and some will race in The Solent on Saturday. Around 100 visiting Gaffers are expected again this year. There will be non stop free day-time entertainment in and around The Square and in The Marquee on the Quay.

Amongst the fabulous acts performing over the weekend will be:- The Dance Preachers, Derek Sandy, Voxpop, Caribbean Melody Steel Band, The Slipshod Singers, Vic Ellis – One man band, La Banda Martinez, Bournemouth Carnival Band, Wight Hot Pipes, Last Orders (Traditional Irish Music) and street entertainers Vince and Richard.

Several new acts will be appearing for the first time this year including The London Philharmonic Skiffle Orchestra (musical comedy) and The Nick Cane Band (with Denzil) .

Other popular attractions include continental market stalls with a huge variety of interesting and unusual products for sale, food stalls and Craft Marquee, The ‘Oooh Arrh Gaffers Bar’ (The biggest Real Ale Festival on the Island), veteran and classic vehicle display, ghost and history walks, Lifeboat open to the public, children’s fancy dress (Friday afternoon)and lots more.

St James’ Church will host the colourful Flower Festival and the Children’s Fun Fair will be situated on The Green along with a variety of interesting acts such as Tae Kwon Do, Ryde Extreme Circus workshops and the magic of David Randini and even a fun dog show.

On Friday and Saturday evenings there will be dancing in The Marquee, on The Quay, to live bands. ‘The Roaring Forties’ theme evening on Friday will include music from The Tootsie Rollers, The Regular Joes and Mr B. the Gentleman Rhymer. Fancy dress (Guys and Dolls) is optional but there will be prizes awarded during the evening for the ‘Best Guy’ and the ‘Best Doll’.

On Saturday evening the theme will be ‘Surfin Safari’ with live music provided by The All Stars and Beach Boys Gold.

Tickets, at £10 each, will soon be on sale at the Wightlink booking offices in Yarmouth & Lymington, The Royal Solent Yacht Club and at the Southern Vectis Bus Kiosk in Yarmouth (no accompanied person under the age of 16 years. Children 12 years and under f.o.c.). They will also be on sale in the Festival Information Centre (Town Hall, The Square) during the weekend of the festival. The tickets are limited, so buy early!

The Park and Ride scheme will operate as in past years with parking at Bouldnor. Cars can also be parked in the Festival Car Park in Yarmouth at £5 per car per day.

Full details can be found in the Festival programme available soon at £3 (£1 will go to the Earl Mountbatten Hospice, Newport). For further information see the Festival website www.yarmoutholdgaffersfestival.co.uk or telephone 01983 761704.

Image: © Martin Perry