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Harbour Day Report 2019

“A great community event… with A wonderful atmosphere!”

Whitstable Harbour Day 2019 was a great success thanks to the contribution of over 300 volunteers who ran the stalls, sailed the boats, played the music, and kept everyone safe: and we have some very happy traders. Over 10,000 visitors passed through the Harbour in the 6 hours the event was open and we have been inundated with compliments  such as ‘a great community event’ and ‘a wonderful atmosphere’. 

My personal highlight was watching the magnificent Thames barges keeling over as they raced towards the shore using every inch of sail to beat their opponents.

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Summer Magic

THREE Dates for your diary this summer

We have got a little magic lined up – literally! -for our supporters this summer, starting on Midsummer evening with the Whitstable Maritime Midsummer Ball and Charity Fundraiser. Then, in early July, Gamecock gets her first outing of the year at the Faversham Nautical Festival. And then there’s the high spot of our summer calendar – Whitstable Harbour Day on 3rd August. We are expecting up to 10,000 visitors this year, admission is free – what’s not to like?

The Whitstable Maritime Midsummer Ball

Friday 21st June 2019

Stay cool on the longest evening of the year and enjoy champagne, canapés and Whitstable oysters with us in the company of Goosebumps swing band. Entertainer and Magic Circle member, Guy Wade, will be on hand to sprinkle a little magic over the proceedings… “Jus’ like that!“

Join us at the Marine Hotel, Whitstable on Friday 21st June from 7.30pm until 11.30pm. Tickets are still available at £45 per person.

More details are on our Midsummer Ball page.

Gamecock Sails into Faversham

Sat/Sun 6th-7th July 2019

Whitstable Maritime’s historic 1907 oyster yawl Gamecock is appearing at the Faversham Nautical Festival on the weekend of 6th/7th July 2019, her first outing of the season, having over-wintered at Iron Wharf nearby.

So, if you are looking for a great day out, plus an insight into the life and times – and challenges – of restoring this historic working vessel, we will be delighted to welcome you!

More details can be found on our Faversham Nautical Festival page.

Whitstable Harbour Day

Saturday 3rd August 2019

The lineup for the day’s live entertainment has been published and is available via the link below.

Over 40 organisations are taking part and it is all free –

bands • boat trips • marine environment • coracle building • lifeboats • coastguards • boating pool • frontier force • inshore-fisheries • model boats • steam train rides • beach gardens • rope making • tipper trucks • traditional & modern boats • marine archaeology • coastal birds • children’s theatre • food stalls • gifts • crafts

Please note that events and times are subject to change. Latest details can be found on our Whitstable Harbour Day page.

LATEST – SOUVENIR PROGRAMME free download (16 pages):

Harbour Day Programme 2019

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Whitstable Harbour Day 2019

On Saturday 3rd August, 200 volunteers will help Whitstable Maritime present a full day’s entertainment and experiences on land and sea with 50 local and national organisations already booked for Whitstable Harbour Day. 10,000 visitors are expected to enjoy the fun.

Craft filling the harbour will range from a Bronze Age replica boat to the latest high-tech racing dinghy. Visitors will be able to board vessels varying in size from a 250 foot coaster to a 20 foot lugger that you could trail behind a car. Visiting boats include powerful 60 foot patrol boats belonging to the Border Force and Inshore Fisheries Conservation; the Margate All Weather Lifeboat; several Thames barges and Old Gaffers, and the local fishing fleet. A 45 foot ex-naval launch belonging to the Maritime Volunteer Service is due to offer boat rides.   

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Sailing away!

Here we are in another new year with a new-look web site and lots to look forward to in 2019!

These are some things we have got planned –

Harbour Day 2019. This was a huge success last year and planning is now under way for this year’s event. Keep an eye on these pages and meanwhile put the date in your diary –

Saturday 3rd August 2019

The deadline for booking stand space has now passed but some further space may become available. If you are interested in being considered, please download the Harbour Day 2019Application Form (pdf) and return it to the address shown on the form.

Gamecock Restoration. We have a major restoration project under way on this historic Oyster Yawl. Watch this space for some exciting news coming up soon.

Fund Raising. We are very grateful to our loyal supporters who have contributed their time and/or their money to the good causes that Whitstable Maritime supports. And to make it even easier to donate or to raise money for these good causes, we now have our very own page on JustGiving – www.justgiving.com/whitstablemaritime