19/08/11
Yarmouth Harbour, historical gateway to the Isle of Wight, celebrated the completion of extensive development work with a ribbon cutting ceremony. These changes aim to make Yarmouth Harbour more attractive and accessible to visitors and residents. Recent improvements include pontoons for dinghies in the main harbour, widening the slipway, an electric winch for dinghies, and a new security gate. A new pavement on the South Quay, new benches, plants, and replacement safety chains have enhanced the harbour’s appearance.
Completed with an extremely generous grant from LEADER, this development is the first of four phases that will continue to raise standards at Yarmouth Harbour, making it one of the most attractive destination ports in the UK. The £78,000 grant, without which this development simply could not have happened, was administered on the IOW by Natural Enterprise. LEADER and Natural Enterprise considered this an extremely high profile project as it involved the development of a main entry point to the Island. The opening was carried out by Judi Griffin, Chair of the Leader Local Action Group.
These improvements follow other significant work, totalling £1.4 million completed in March. New walk-ashore pontoons were installed to provide greater accessibility for residents and visitors. A number of the new walk-ashore pontoons offer finger berths and all walk-ashore bookings will be given finger berths, which offer greater convenience and privacy. In building these berths, Yarmouth became the first harbour to make significant use of Kebony, a treated softwood Decking, instead of the less environmentally friendly Balau. The fuel berth has been moved near the harbour entrance and now accommodates four yachts, rather than two. Additional improvements include greater electrical and water capacity and improved Wi-Fi coverage.
Yarmouth Harbour is the perfect sailing destination for a relaxing get-away; the harbour’s modern facilities provide an ideal base from which to explore this relaxing, historic town, famed for its quaint streets and excellent pubs and restaurants. Yarmouth’s location is also an excellent base for exploring the island beyond; The Needles Battery, Yarmouth Castle, Tennyson Down, and Alum Bay.
Yarmouth currently has a mid-week discount on overnight rates, for more information, or to make a booking; visit http://www.yarmouth-harbour.co.uk/
Editorial notes:
The LEADER Programme is designed to support local businesses, farmers, foresters, community groups, those involved in tourism and a range of rural enterprises. The LEADER rural grant programme/Grants will run from 2008 - 2013.
The LEADER fund is set up to act as the liaison between European Union funding and the project instigators in the local area. The reason for using LEADER to funnel money from Europe is that LEADER has a very local remit and works closely with the rural community. This is further enhanced by the Local Action Group, a board of volunteer governors who oversee and make the final decisions on the grant allocation. This Local Action Group (LAG) will have a farming, forestry or rural background or knowledge.
Enquiries:
Yarmouth Harbour
+44 (0)1983 760321
info@yarmouth-harbour.co.uk
Press enquiries:
Strawberry Marketing
+44 (0)1590 645082
press@strawberrymarketing.com