Tall Ships event a huge success
The four day event in Blyth was the UK's only Regatta in 2016
As the North Seas Tall Ships Regatta in Northumberland draws to a close and the ships depart for Gothenburg, organisers are delighted at the success of the event. The four day event in Blyth was the UK's only Regatta in 2016 and is the diamond anniversary of the event. As well as 23 majestic tall ships, the largest event to ever have taken place in Northumberland, the North Seas Tall Ships Regatta, offered more than 1.5 miles of free entertainment. Visitors were able to climb on board some of the ships, enjoy free family fun, live music, street theatre, fair ground rides as well as a nightly fireworks and evening performance. The event included an extensive cultural programme, thanks to a £120,000 grant from Arts Council England and National Lottery funded Grants. Activities stretched from the beach right up to the town centre. Highlights included the crew parade and re-enacted Blyth carnival which involved 1,000 people on the Saturday afternoon. It also included a nightly fireworks performance which was accompanied by a film and musical score created by Swedish artist Cecilia Stenbom and UK composer Chris Sharkey who have worked with local people from Blyth and Gothenburg to produce the performance. The event culminated in the magnificent parade of sail on Monday afternoon, when the Tall Ships left the Port of Blyth, accompanied by up to 70 flotillas and sailed down the coast to St Mary's Lighthouse before sailing five miles out to sea ready to start their 500+ nautical miles race to Gothenburg. Over 1,000 staff and volunteers worked during the event, with many accommodation providers in Northumberland sold out over the weekend. There are 80 trainees aged between 15 - 63 years who will get their first taste of life aboard and working on a Tall Ship. Many of which are from Northumberland and 33 have been supported by Northumberland County Council ward councillors. There were also 140 volunteers, again most from Northumberland who helped over the four event day event in various roles.
Northumberland County Council, in partnership with the Port of Blyth and Sail Training International, hosted the prestigious Regatta. Fergusons of Blyth, one of the UK’s leading privately owned haulage companies and the biggest in the North East, is the Principal Sponsor for the event in celebration of their 90th Anniversary. Whilst final details are being worked on, it is estimated tens of thousands of people from across the UK visited the event.
Cllr Val Tyler, cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, Northumberland County Council: “The last four days have been a magnificent and memorable event - to see the joy and excitement with thousands of people who enjoyed themselves is something that will be a lasting memory for me.”
Martin Lawlor, chief executive, Port of Blyth said: “The port, the people, the ships and everyone else involved this weekend has done Blyth and the wider region proud. While we are sorry to see the ships go the impact they have brought will be felt well into the future.
Alan Ferguson, chairman of Fergusons of Blyth, the event’s principal sponsor, said: “The Regatta has been a fantastic success and we were so proud, in our 90th year, to be the main supporter of this huge event. The Regatta showcased what this town can do and should be a springboard for its continued growth.” The event proved popular with visitors.
Sue Symes visited the event with her husband Mick. She said: "We attended the event on Saturday and had a fantastic day from our start at midday until 9pm to see the spectacular fireworks. I was very much looking forward to the event and wasn't disappointed at all. From our arrival at the park and ride North to the Bandstand area and back we managed to see just about everything. The highlights for me were the parade of the crews, so vibrant and fun, and of course the fireworks! Too many other things to mention but just an all round great, friendly experience. I feel proud to come from the North East. Well done to everyone involved in making this a great experience, there was plenty to do and see for all ages and for such a small community Blyth you should be proud! Thank you." June Turnbull from Sunderland visited the Tall Ships with her husband. She said: "We had a fantastic day and thoroughly enjoyed the day we spent in Blyth at the Tall Ships event. It was well organised and a fabulous day with plenty of stalls, eating places, craft stalls etc. Whoever organised it did a grand job of organising car parking and the park and ride. There were plenty of volunteers to keep the day running smoothly for everyone. Well done." Debbie Kings from Nottingham said: "It's the first time we have been to Blyth - not our first trip to Northumberland though. It's also the first time we've ever been to an event like this - hence why we were so impressed. Loved the yellow wrist bands for children - saw it in action when a very upset little boy was found by a policeman who promptly phoned Mum. Thought the stewarding around the town was spot on. And the sheer enthusiasm of everyone, the smiling faces - terrific!" A detailed analysis will be taking place over the next few weeks to evaluate the event and to determine the extent of the impact on the local and regional economy, which was expected to be in the region of £8 million.