The trophies were handed over by the North Regatta Association to St Sampson’s and Vale constables. The trophies will be split between the two parishes and displayed at the respective douzaine rooms.
‘With the event having taken place in St Sampson’s and Vale we felt it was best to perhaps have some here and some at St Sampson’s,’ said Ian Ruskin, past president of the North Regatta Association at the official handover of the trophies at Vale Douzaine Room.
‘They were all in various places, so we got them all together and made a list of recipients as many of the people who would have won them will be no longer with us.’
The North Regatta was a big celebration based on the island’s maritime heritage and was an eagerly-anticipated part of the summer calendar. It had its roots in the 1900s and became a fun family day out in the 1960s and 1970s with land and sea activities, boat events, fancy dress, greasy pole, truck pulling and a funfair.
‘There were various periods that the event didn’t happen, such as during the war, but it was a very family-orientated event and it was as big as all of the shows, but land and sea based,’ said Mr Ruskin.
It came to an end when the marina was created in the harbour, which stopped much of the harbour-based activities from taking place. The last North Regatta took place in 2002.
People gathered to see the trophies after 25 years at the handover.
John Benham attended to see a cup donated by his father which dates back to 1951 for a road relay race.
‘My father donated the Benham Cup,’ he said.
‘I have been trying to track this cup down for years.’
Mr Ruskin said that seeing people reminisce about the regatta was why they have brought the trophies back out.
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