The High Sheriff’s wish that the Island should be covered in celebratory bunting for the inaugural Isle of Wight Day on 24th September has been answered in dramatic fashion by the Island’s 3 cross-Solent ferry companies.
Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink have together agreed to provide the funding for the organisers of Isle of Wight Day to purchase 75 miles of bunting, which will then be distributed, free-of-charge, to anyone wishing to deck out their street, home or building for this day of Island celebration.
Robin Courage, the High Sheriff, whose initiative it was to create isle of Wight Day said:
“This incredibly generous gesture by the ferry companies will indeed ensure that we can now cover the Island in bunting on September 24th. This collaborative action by Hovertravel, Red Funnel and Wightlink demonstrates the true spirit of Isle of Wight Day – communities coming together to celebrate all that is great about this special Island.
“We will now be able to offer 75 miles of special Isle of Wight Day bunting to anyone on the Island who would like it”.
The bunting should be available for distribution by early August and it is hoped that all the many towns and villages, schools, businesses, clubs, associations and individuals, who are already planning events to celebrate this special day will then use this brilliant offer to deck out the Island in bright, fluttering bunting.
Neil Chapman of Hovertravel said:
“We are proud to be involved with the first Isle of Wight Day and look forward to seeing the bunting displayed across the Island”.
Kevin George of Red Funnel added:
“We are delighted to support Isle of Wight Day which aims to bring Islanders together to celebrate everything that is so unique and special about living on this amazing Island”.
Anyone planning activities for the day should share their information at www.isleofwightday.com so that a full programme of events for the day can be published nearer to the date.
