Last minute, but back with a splash

THE Harbour Carnival made a big splash on Friday night as the event made its post-pandemic return.

Winning style, the team from Isabelle Vets. (Pictures by Peter Frankland, 29977573)

‘It feels great to be back. We had all the usual bands, bar, crown and anchor,’ said Joe Oliver, president of the organisers, the Guernsey Round Table, who also expressed delight at the turnout.

‘There’s a lot of entrants and competitors for the events this year given the short notice.

‘There aren’t as many as we usually have, but our priority was to bring everyone together for the night.

‘We hope everyone has a great night.’

The tug-of-war across the pierheads was only a case of how long it would take for all of the team members to end up in the water. (29977626)

The carnival was cancelled amid last year’s Covid-19 restrictions, and Mr Oliver said the plans for this year’s were made at the last minute due to continuing uncertainties. Next year, he said would be even bigger and better.

Guernsey Round Table organises the event as a way to celebrate the community and raise money for worthy causes on the island.

This year, the organisers chose the St John voluntary service to support much needed equipment for community first responders.

Lifeguard Andy Remfrey with the winning duck in the corporate rubber duck race. (29977640)

‘It felt right that we ought to give back to the service that gives so much to the community,’ he said.

‘The top priority is to replace the defibrillators that are nearing the end of their shelf life. We are also looking to fund some first response bags to allow the charity to conform to latest hygiene and infection prevention and control standards, which obviously has extra significance this year.’

Mr Oliver said he would not know the total amount of money raised for a few weeks.

Old favourites have not lost crowd appeal

OLD favourites were back when the Round Table Harbour Carnival returned to the St Peter Port seafront on Friday evening.

A corporate rubber duck race and a ladies’ dinghy race were among events, as well as fireworks launched from the end of Castle Pier.

For the dinghy race, teams of six women had to work together to beat competitors. Four women raced from the starting point to pick up the other two members of their team before rowing back. There were 11 groups competing, including a group of four deputies, Deputy Bailiff Jessica Roland and HM Procureur Megan Pullum.

Competing under the team name of Island Wide Boating, the women made it to the final heat.

However, the Isabelle Vets team took home the prize, winning a crate of Prosecco for their efforts.

After a lengthy debate on secondary education, four deputies were joined by Deputy Bailiff Jessica Roland and HM Procureur Megan Pullum in the Island Wide Boating dinghy. (29977599)

Six-year-old Hannah Amory said the fireworks were her favourite part of the night.

However, the man-powered flight seemed to be the most popular event of the night with children.

‘My favourite part is when all people jumped into the water,’ said Gracie Ryve, 7.

‘It was so funny.’

Jack Herquin, 10, said it was his favourite event as well. His favourite competitor was the man in the duck suit because he was very funny.

However, Henry Amory, 8, said the tug of war games were his favourite.

‘My favourite was quite easily the tug of war. I liked when they all got thrown in the water,’ he said.

Chloe Czarnecka, 6, loved the bouncy castles on Albert Pier.

The Bee Team consisted of Susie Ogier, Lisa Gavey, Lucy Le Page, Lisa Mauger, Helen Walton and Claire Menzies. (29977595)

‘I was on the bouncy castle, and I didn’t want to get off,’ she said.

Her brother, Charlie, said the food and ice cream were his favourite part of the night.