Sun shines on Arbroath Sea Fest 2011

It’s been estimated that 30,000 visitors flocked to Arbroath Sea Fest this weekend – a figure which has been greeted with delight by Arbroath Sea Fest Committee.

“There was a wonderful atmosphere at this year’s Sea Fest,” said Arbroath Sea Fest Committee, the group of volunteers from Arbroath who organise the annual event. “The overall feeling amongst the great many local people who came along was that Sea Fest emphasised just how tight-knit a community Arbroath is and that the weekend provided a chance to meet up with friends they’d not seen for years. Sea Fest seems to act as a magnet, providing people from the area who no longer live here with a wonderful reason to return home while also encouraging people who are from elsewhere to visit Arbroath.”

John Boath, the last lighthouse keeper at the Bell Rock Lighthouse, had travelled from his home in Edinburgh to attend Arbroath Sea Fest. “As part of the Year of the Light celebrations marking the bicentenary of the Bell Rock Lighthouse, I signed 150 postcards for a stamp show earlier this year and, as a thank you, the organisers donated £100 to Arbroath RNLI. By handing the cheque over this weekend, I was able to spend time at Sea Fest, where two of the visiting historic vessels - Rachel Douglas and Favourite - were similar to the fishing boats that used to sail around the Bell Rock while I was stationed there. These boats brought back a lot of wonderful memories – as I’m sure they will have for many people.”

Marta Bazaco from Spain was another of the 30,000 Sea Fest visitors. “I’m having a wonderful time – especially since the sun came out,” said Marta, who is currently on holiday in Scotland and had come to Arbroath specifically to attend Sea Fest. “I’ve just tried Arbroath Smokies, which were delicious.”

Marta explained that, as she wandered about Sea Fest, she’d been impressed by the high level of volunteer involvement in Sea Fest, including the cream teas being sold to raise funds for the RNLI by Arbroath Lifeboat Ladies Guild, and, of course, the local RNLI lifeboat crew. Proof of the vital service provided by the RNLI was only too evident when the lifeboat was called out to an incident at Ethie Haven on Saturday afternoon. The crew instantly sprang into action and, within minutes of the emergency call out, the lifeboat was heading out to sea.

“Sea Fest highlights Arbroath’s links with the sea but it also highlights the volunteer ethos that exists in the town,” said Arbroath Sea Fest Committee. “We are always impressed by the amount of time and effort the people of Arbroath are only too happy to give to their community – and Sea Fest is a wonderful example of this.”

Alistair Martin, chair of Arbroath Sea Fest, had one word to describe Sea Fest – ‘Phenomenal!’ “Over the years, Sea Fest has grown and grown and, yet again, I’m amazed by the exceptional turn out,” said Alistair.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in Arbroath Sea Fest 2011, including the hard-working volunteer committee who are behind this annual event, the performers who provide such wonderful entertainment throughout the weekend, Eleanor Whitby and her crew from Red Pepper Events, Angus Council and all the volunteers who help out before, during and after the event, such as Arbroath Rugby Cub, the crew of Arbroath Lifeboat and the Air Cadets. I’d also like to say a very special thanks to everyone who has come along to Sea Fest and, of course, to the people of Arbroath for their enthusiasm and support for Sea Fest.”

Lynn Cameron of Arbroath Sea Fest Committee added that the Committee would also like thank everyone who had travelled by sea to participate in Arbroath Sea Fest 2011, especially the Scottish Fisheries Museum Boats Club, who had sailed their 109-year-old herring drifter, the Reaper, to Arbroath from Anstruther; North East Maritime Trust, here for the first time with their 1940’s fishing boats, Favourite and Rachel Douglas; and the crew of Spider T. “Sea Fest commemorates the maritime heritage of Arbroath,” continued Lynn, “and we were very privileged to be joined by four vessels which are extremely worthy examples of historic boats.”

Eleanor Whitby of Red Pepper Events, Event Director of Arbroath Sea Fest, revealed that a survey had been carried out over the weekend. Although results had still to be collated, the overriding impression from the comments was that Sea Fest was an enjoyable day out – and excellent value for money, with many people mentioning that, having been to lots of events this summer, Sea Fest was the least expensive.

“Yet again, Sea Fest has been a wonderful weekend,” continued Eleanor. “Now it’s time to start planning Arbroath Sea Fest 2012.”