Greasy pole climbers are in Ebenezer's footsteps

As president of the regatta committee, Jon Collenette said the traditional Guernsey event was all about participation.

‘We see it as our job as the committee to get the equipment to the right place at the right time and after that it is over to you.

‘There is hopefully something for everybody.’

The Greasy Pole, le paou graissi, is a traditional game, even featured in the story of fictional Guernseyman Ebenezer Le Page, who climbed the pole to win a leg of lamb.

Now changed slightly from those earlier times, children age seven to 11 took to a horizontal pole to fight an opponent to stay on the longest.

James Wilson, seven, said it was a tough game but he enjoyed it.

‘I thought it might be hard, but I wanted to challenge myself.’

His mum, Laura Bevis, said it was the family’s first summer in Guernsey after moving over from Alderney.

‘We just wanted some traditional beach games and it’s a good day of family fun.’

The sandcastle competition also had many entries.

Chris Murphy watched son and daughter Shay, seven, and Martha, three, get stuck in.

‘It’s just such a lovely family atmosphere and gorgeous weather.

‘It’s our third time here so we’re not quite veterans yet, but we’re getting there.’

Shay and Martha said they were enjoying making the sandcastles.

‘I’m making a sandcastle for the competition with my little sister Martha,’ said Shay.

For those feeling more energetic, a number of races took place across the sand.

Joe Haywood, four, won a special rosette for his wheelbarrow race with dad Will.

Joe said he enjoyed doing the race with his dad and was looking forward to a well-earned ice cream.

‘He wanted to do it with his little brother but he’s two so he was a bit small yet,’ said Mr Haywood.

The beach was not the only area seeing action, home-crafted rafts took to the seas to race from Fort Grey to La Lague Hervy beach.

One raft manned by cousins Abigail Chiverton, and Jacob Browning, both eight, and their dads, Ian Chiverton and Andy Browning, had a pop-up Volkswagen caravan on it.

The Chivertons live in Surrey and the regatta made for a perfect family event.

‘We called it [the raft] CB9 because our family are Chiverton and Browning and there’s nine of us,’ said Jacob.

‘I really didn’t want to fall in and we didn’t. When we got on I was so happy because we didn’t know if it would float but it did,’ said Abigail.

Local Circus Starlight performed in the afternoon.

Ringmaster Richard Le Lerre said the circus was looking forward to it.

‘It’s busy and the weather is so hot. It’s a lovely atmosphere, everyone seems to be in good spirits.’

Next year’s event is on Saturday 25 July.