Back in the late nineties, Dave and Jill attended several of the major Super Yacht Shows in Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Florida promoting their satellite meteorological equipment. Fortunately their US Distributor did not require their presence at his stand during the entire show and they were able to stroll around in the sunshine, drooling over the various super yachts, with their colour co-ordinated Bell JetRanger helicopters, supermodels and diamond-collared snow leopards! Amongst these was a company promoting a new luxury community on board a liner which would constantly circumnavigate the globe; residents would travel the world without actually having to leave home. At a cost of nearly $10M each !  Dave and Jill, and their friend Steve from Florida watched the video, listened to the spiel, looked at each other and said ‘Brilliant idea but it’ll never take off!!

But what a difference a decade makes! Knut U Kloster’s vision “The World” was launched in 2002 and is actually coming to visit Dartmouth from 27th – 29th July. The 165 ‘residences’ have all been sold and there are on average 150-200 residents and guests on board at any one time, looked after by about 250 staff. There are restaurants and shops, sports facilities and a casino, the ship is a small but perfectly formed city on the sea. Dartmouth dot tv welcomes this unique liner to our unique town. Don’t miss her visit ….  For more details click here.

2.  Simples

There have been reports in the national news that the Red Arrows will not be displaying at Dartmouth.

This is not true and the Team is still planning to display at the Town’s Royal Regatta event on Friday 27 August, weather permitting.  Squadron Leader Ben Murphy, Officer Commanding and Team Leader of the Red Arrows said:

“We are still planning to display at Dartmouth. We have not been contacted by the event organisers with any concerns about damage to buildings. In fact the Mayor of Dartmouth contacted the Team this week to say that the town is still very much looking forward to the display and that reports in the national press about the town cancelling are simply not true.”

Alex who lives on Crowthers Hill was rather surprised last year as you can see in this photograph!

3.   Exhibition of local crafts

If you haven't been to see the annual exhibition of local crafts in St Saviour's Church, there's still an opportunity tomorrow (Friday) from 10.30am-4.30pm. 

You will be amazed at the items on display from both amateurs and professionals, including needlework, jewellery and paintings. 

There's also an opportunity to enter the Draw and to relax with a cup of coffee or tea, home made cake and sandwiches.  Don't miss it!

4.   Kingswear Reggata

The wet weather never happened and Kingswear Regatta was another big hit with the many visitors, children and rowers that took part in the event over last weekend. It started on Saturday with 4 hours of rowing races, all hotly contested. The Junior girls crews did especially well, surprisingly beating their adult opponents in the ladies fours heat. The under 18 boys crews won both the men’s 4’s and pairs finals the men too. A dozen or so beautiful vintage cars were on display and drew a large interested audience. Another highlight of the Saturday was the fun dog show which kicked off at noon with many dogs of all shapes and sizes taking part in many different competitions, the funniest being the “dog most like it’s owner” which had the crowd in fits of laughter.

The main regatta event and fete was opened by Parish Council Chairman Jonathan Hawkins with Les Ellis, the Dartmouth Town Crier, on Sunday morning. This was followed by over 1000 ducks being coaxed into Waterhead Creek (see photo bottom of this page) and they slowly made their way up to Jubilee Park where the first duck over the line won £100 for its happy owner. The ducks did not stop the rowers who competed in the sunshine for almost 5 hours with well over 20 finals taking place. The famous Grand Challenge race between Kingswear Regatta’s Chairman’s crew and their Dartmouth counterparts was won by the Kingswear Crew of Steve Ainsworth, Bob Furneaux, Roly Boyden and Bill Rowe making it a 4-1 winning margin to Kingswear over the past 5 years.

Hundreds of people mingled amongst the stalls which sold everything from books to jewellery. The food and beverage function was especially successful with bacon butties for the early birds followed by a lamb spit roast, as well as hot dogs and an excellent pizza oven. The drinks flowed freely at the licensed bar and the Pimms tent was especially busy.
This regatta is targeted at families and the kids had a great time with splat the rat, the human fruit machine and many other fun stalls as well as Merlin the Magician, who had them enthralled during his 2 performances. The Kingswear Community Primary School had raised over £4,500 at its Auction of Promises the previous Friday to fund more outside activities - and they were also a major beneficiary of Kingswear Regatta. Their school orchestra played beautifully and many of the children raced on a shortened course in four oared boats and really showed their prowess in beating the teachers in another well fought four oared race.

The Regatta prize giving in the village hall ended the event and Wendy Ryan, Chairman of Kingswear Rowing Club - and Kingswear-born under 23 World Champion & GB sculler Bill Lucas, presented the marvellous trophies and specially designed winners' mugs to all of the successful crews. A highlight was when 12 year old Lizzie Delaney won the cox of the day award for coxing 6 winning crews. Chris Ryan, President of the Regatta was delighted to present the beautiful Harris trophy to current Chairman Sam Furneaux and her husband Bob for working so hard to make Kingswear Regatta 2010 such a roaring success. The prize giving was followed by the “After Regatta Party” held in the Ship Inn and the excellent local band “Three bags Full” entertained - courtesy of Colin and Heather Lang of the Ship, providing an excellent conclusion to Kingswear Regatta 2010. Now we can’t wait for the 2011 event!

5.   Small News

Why not come and visit Dartmouth?

• Self catering accommodation click here
   
• Dartmouth B and B  click here
   
• Dartmouth Hotels click here
   
• A Tourist Guide to Dartmouth click here

Images copyright Dave Cawley, Barry Morris, Andy Kyle, Tony Pike & others.