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Old Gaffers Festival 2009



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A weekend of blisteringly hot sunshine saw thousands of people descend upon the picturesque West Wight village of Yarmouth to take part in the Old Gaffers Celebrations.

More than 100 gaff-rigged boats filled the harbour cumulating in a sight to behold with their colourful sails and flags. Each of these stunning vessels took to the seas on Saturday morning for the Old Gaffer’s Race which also featured historic yachts like the Royal Naval Museum’s Steam Pinnace 199 and HMS Victory’s 1805 Cutter.

Now in its 13th year, the festival was opened by Geoff Holt who hit the headlines when he sailed solo around Britain in a 15-foot trimaran - remarkable because he is paralysed from the waist down. He was also the fastest disabled person to sail round the Isle of Wight and was BBC South's Sports personality of the year 2007.

As always there was plenty to keep the crowds entertained on-shore in Yarmouth, from street performers to live musical performances, a display of classic vehicles, lifeboat demonstration, marching band, craft fair and market, beer tent, flower festival and fairground rides for the youngsters.

The Royal Solent Yacht Club hosted the Queen's Jubilee Race on Sunday morning and there were also be races for X and Y class yachts. This year's theme was ‘Golden Gaffers' celebrating 50 Golden Years of Gaffers racing in the Solent.