Many people across the Isle of Wight and further afield love the Old Gaffers Festival held in Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight each year.
Each May Bank Holiday for the last 19 years, Yarmouth, the second smallest town in the UK and the oldest town on the Isle of Wight, bursts into life.
No festival in 2016
At the moment, unless more sponsors and new blood can be found, Old Gaffers won’t take place in 2016, but will switch to running every other year.
It’s been a tough decision for the organising committee – who all give of their time for free – but as things currently stand, they feel it’s the only way to maintain the high quality of the event. Sponsorship and more people working on the organisation of the event could still change that.
£90,000 to put on
What many people don’t realise is what goes into organising and funding Gaffers.
OnTheWight spoke to the event’s Chair, Debbie Cotton, who told us it costs a phenomenal £90,000 and considerable effort of a small band of volunteers.
Debbie said,
“We want Gaffers to be as good as it possibly can be and that takes money and time.”
Around two thirds of the £90k are made back, much of it on the park and ride, but that still leaves a hole that needs to be filled by sponsors.
This year’s festival (2015) raised over £1,700 for Breast Cancer Now through the sales of programmes.
Young blood
Thousands of people enjoy the event, but as Debbie explains, it’s organised by a very small group of people.
They’re now looking for some fresh, young blood to get involved.
Debbie said,
“We want to pass our skills and experience in organising Gaffers on to the next generation.
“We need new, young people that can also bring extra skills to the committee.”
A loss to Yarmouth and the Island
Steve Cowley, Mayor of Yarmouth, actually set up the event in 1996 while he was Chair of Tourism as an elected councillor. He told OnTheWight,
“Some people will be relieved, others will be disappointed. I understand the Gaffers Committee decision because it is a very big event for volunteers to organise.
“There will be loss to Yarmouth and the Island. The event has been a boost for some businesses in the Town, but not all.
“Yarmouth Primary School has used the event to help raise funds, particularly important at the moment with their need to raise £19,000 towards new class rooms. It will also be a disappointment to the new Community Hall.
“I hope that we can all work with the Gaffers Committee to rework the event for the benefit of the Town.”
Can you help out?
Every year the harbour becomes jam-packed with beautiful old boats and the town is squeezed to capacity with visitors, food and market stalls, as well as lively entertainment.
Can you or your company step forward to help out? Just drop a mail to [email protected].
Let’s hope that new sponsors and young blood will come forward to help retain the festival annually.
Image: © With kind permission of Chris Boynton
