Thanks to Andy for sending through this report from the recent Dance on the Duver event. In his own words. Ed
Saturday 20th August saw the 7th annual Dance on the Duver event which raises money for the Isle of Wight Hospice and the RNLI Bembridge Lifeboat Station.
Over 450 people attended the event which saw Island-based function band, UnderCover, provide an evening of party music from the last 50 years. Playing tracks from Stevie Wonder through to Jessie J, culminating in a fireworks display set against the backdrop of Bembridge Harbour, on one of the warmest evenings in August.
Supported by the Squibbs
Dance on the Duver is organised by father and son duo Will and Andy Squibb who both play in UnderCover, the band which has supported Dance on the Duver since its first outing in 2005.
Dance on the Duver was held on the premises of Will Squibb Boatbuilders, next door to Bembridge Harbour’s Duver Marina site which was the home of the event until 2009. The event moved three years ago to the current boatyard site to allow for larger crowds and to allow the event to be set up over the preceeding week.
Will Squibb, boatyard owner – Will Squibb Boatbuilders: “It’s a great event for us to be involved with, raising money for two important Island-based charities. Although it’s a lot of work running up to the event it’s all worth it”¦ and it’s a great excuse for us to have a spring clean in the yard before the boating
season comes to an end in September!”
“One of our most enjoyable events of the year”
Andy Squibb owns Island-based event equipment hire company Spyder UK, which provides all the sound, lighting and staging equipment for the event.
Andy Squibb, owner – Spyder UK: “Timewise it’s all worked out very well this year, with the stage coming straight from Cowes Week onto the site and it’s also been a good test run for our new computer based firework firing system. Despite some of the other big name shows we’re involved with throughout the year, this is honestly one of our most enjoyable events of the year.
“In recent years this has grown way beyond being organised by a couple of people in a day, but as cliched as it sounds the event wouldn’t happen without the help from individuals and business who pitch in with everything from gas for barbeques to discounts on bar stock.”
Cheques totalling £2,192 will be presented to the two charities later this month.
A date for Dance on the Duver 2012 is currently being discussed, and details will be released on the event’s website.
Tickets will be available from late June 2012 from local outlets in St Helens and Bembridge or online from the event website.
