Alan and Suzanne Whitewood summarize the Cowes Week action that took place onshore in 2024. A number of Island companies had stands at the Cowes Week Regatta Village on The Parade including Island Photo Centre, Calbourne Classics Ice Cream, The Garden and Cherry Godfrey. The Garden’s food on The Parade proved very popular, especially for the crowds watching the gun salute from HMS Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday evening and the RN helicopter display on Thursday. With the very hot weather, Calbourne Classics had long queues for their ices and the bars were kept busy. Meanwhile in Cowes Yacht Haven, the Musto sailors bar run by Dudley Troupe Events was popular as was the Island Ales stand which was adjacent. One of the Cowes Week sponsors – Mount Gay – also had a stand in CYH, and their Rum based cocktails were popular. On Thursday night, Mount Gay hosted the Red Cap party in the CYH event centre. Hundreds of the famous Red Caps were grabbed up by those attending. Land Rover offered a driving experience and a chance to view their latest range of cars, and there was a steady queue for the chance to view the yacht races from a different angle. Around the town, there were several art exhibitions. Island artists Gail Willows and Anna Wyeth held a joint show In the Olesinki courtyard. Kendall’s Fine Art had on show the works of a number of local artists including Martin Swan, Shane Couch and Sue Stitt and some of the Cowes churches hosted other art shows. In the Island Sailing Club, Brian Marriott Glass had a selection of Brian’s unique artworks. Brian was on hand to explain that In the main he uses reject glass from Isle of Wight Glass because only one type of glass can be utilised at any one time.
Cowes Week’s chosen two charities – The RNLI and Tall Ships Youth Trust – had stands and activities. Over the week, the RNLI had a rib, one of the many constructed in East Cowes, on The Parade stand and the Tall Ships Youth Trust had their Challenger yachts moored on Trinity Landing for visitors to view and explore. At a reception in the Royal London YC, invited guests heard from three young people who had undertaken voyages on a Challenger and how this had changed their lives.
On a nautical theme, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines were present on The Parade with activities for all to enjoy, whilst anchored off Cowes were HMS Tyne and HMS Puncher. Islander “Snowy” Snow is skipper of the latter. Prometheus Sailing with their Sunsail 41 yachts organised daily racing for the week and had Mermaid products as prizes each day. Isle of Wight Distillery founder Xav Baker was on hand to award the prizes, with Mermaid Pink Gin on offer on Monday. After some close racing, there were just 30 seconds separating Deloitte Green, Californian Luffing and Tenzing, with the latter victorious. These presentations were hosted at the Island Sailing Club (ISC), and the club was selected by a number of organisations as the venue for their events.
At the waters edge of the club is the Mermaid Garden. Open to the public, this area is a joint venture between The Garden, who provide the food, whilst Mermaid organise the bar. It was well used during Cowes Week. Others selecting the ISC as a venue for their event were Sunsail/BVI, who were promoting sailing holidays especially to the British Virgin Isles. Something for all tastes and interests and certainly large crowds visiting Cowes in the evenings, especially on Tuesday and Thursday when the Royal Navy put on a show to be remembered.
ALL THE SHORESIDE COWES WEEK ACTION AWAY FROM THE WATER
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