NEMT had the pleasure of organising this event with help from NE1 City Marina. Historic boats belonging to NEMT and Northumbrian Fishing Heritage Trust (NFHT), along with invited boats of significance were in attendance. Saturday music by the Keelers was a great success and friends Jimmy Wrightson of ‘Northumbrian Fair Band’ fame, entertained everyone on Sunday at the pontoon entrance.
Most vessels arrived on Friday 6th August for the event on Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th where the general public were given access to the boats. This really was a great and unique event in terms of accessibility and a parade of sail which included opening of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge but a rather disappointing failure of the historic Swing Bridge to open when expected. There was significant interest in viewing the boats both on the pontoon and along footpaths with many thousands in attendance.
The event was a total success and may become an annual feature at Newcastle NE1 Quayside in future.