Contact Details

holiday@torbay.gov.uk
Tel: 01803 211 211

Listen using ReadSpeaker

Tall Ships Back in the Bay

News Release

For Immediate Release

MAGESTIC TALL SHIPS BACK IN BAY FOR EXCITING BRIG MATCH RACE

The Tall Ships are back for two days of racing, with shore-side events for everyone to come along to and enjoy. The two sister ships, Prince William & Stavros S Niarchos will race each other on Saturday and Sunday and will prove a spectacular sight from all points around the Bay.

The ships will return to Brixham on Tuesday 14 August, ready to compete in their spectacular annual Brig Match Race. With the support of the Torbay Development Agency (TDA) and Brixham Yacht Club, the Tall Ships Youth Trust's Brig Match Race will be the centre piece of a a programme of events held on land and water to celebrate South Devon's maritime heritage and community.

The first of two open days takes place on Thursday 16 August, when visitors can enjoy a guided walk around one of the traditional sailing vessels between 11am and 5pm. Volunteer crew members will be on hand to offer first hand stories of sailing with the Trust and to guide visitors through the magnificent ships that host over 4,000 trainees every year. Entry £3 per person, or FREE for under 16s. There will also be all sorts of pirate-themed activities taken place around the harbourside throughout the day, while the Brixham Town Band will be playing on the quay from 8pm till 9.30pm.

Crew training for local youngsters takes place on the Friday, while spectators will be able to support the crew parade from 4pm till 5pm. The local Arts & Crafts Market can be enjoyed throughout the day, while Gemini Radio will be broadcasting live from the harbour from 11am, sharing the amazing atmosphere of the exciting annual event.

The first race takes place on Saturday (18 August) with the best views of the ships to be had from the Breakwater, Brixham or anywhere along the shore line around Tor Bay. The ships will leave Brixham harbour at approximately 9am on both the Saturday and Sunday and race between Brixham and Torquay returning at about 5.30pm. On the shore, the arts and crafts market will be running, while there are pirate activities and a treasure hunt for the kids from 2pm. There will also be live music from Southern Comfort between 2pm and 4.30pm.

The second race takes place on the Sunday, again leaving brixham harbour at 9am and returning at around 5.30pm. There will also be another busy day of shore side activities taking place. The Brixham Community Church Band will be playing at 11am, while the Walpot Brothers will be entertaining the crowds between 2pm and 4pm. Youngsters will also be kept busy with storytelling from Stone Soup and face painting from Change Face.

On the Monday, there's a second chance to board one of the ships at the open day, which runs between 11am and 5pm. Local folk group Swashbuckle will be playing Celtic tunes from 2pm, as part of the Riviera Live celebrations.

Prince William and Stavross S Niarchos visited Brixham last year as part of the Tall Ships Youth Trust's 50th Anniversary Celebrations. Tim Law, Marketing and Operations Director of the Tall Ships Youth Trust said "The Trust has received continued support from the TDA, Brixham Yacht Club and the local community and this, together with the perfect sailing arena of Tor Bay, contributed to our decision to hold our annual racing event in Brixham for a second year".

Tim Law continued: "After the success of our visit last year, we are looking forward to returning to Tor Bay for another fantastic week of racing, festivities and Tall Ship celebrations. The whole Torbay community seems to be behind the Tall Ships Youth Trust and we hope, like last year, that Prince William and Stavross will have a positive impact on the local region - both for young people and local businesses. We are continuing to provide personal development opportunities for local young people of the region; we have had tremendous feedback from the crew who sailed last year about how it really made a difference to their lives."

LAST MINUTE OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL YOUNGSTERS TO JOIN THE CREW!

There are a few last minute places for local youngsters to crew in the Tall Ships Race and for a bargain price at that! Places for 16-25 year olds are still available for the three-day Brig Match Race. This is an amazing once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and youngsters interested should call
023-9283 2055 and register by Tuesday! Further information is available on www.tallships.org.

ITINERARY

DATEEVENT

Tue 14 Aug
STAVROS S NIARCHOS arrives Brixham (morning)
Wed 15 Aug STAVROS S NIARCHOS alongside (crew change over)
Thu 16 AugPRINCE WILLIAM arrives Brixham (10am)
Open Ship: STAVROS S NIARCHOS open between 11am and 5pm

Fri 17 AugRace training day
Both ships alongside Brixham Quay
Crew Parade Brixham (4pm)
Sat 18 Aug and
Sun 19 Aug RACE DAYS:
9.00am Ships Depart
10.00am Parade of Sail - Saturday only, Heritage Fleet joins Brigs in Tor Bay
10.30am First Race
2.30pmSecond Race
5.30pmAlongside Brixham (approx)

Mon 20 AugOpen Ship: PRINCE WILLIAM open between 11am and 5pm
Ships alongside (crew depart)

Tue 21 AugShips alongside (crew join)
Wed 22 AugShips depart (time tbc)
Brig Fastnet Race start (off Berry Head)

Ends -

Media places on board the ships and a press photograph boat are available during the weekend racing. Official photographs taken by Roy Riley will be available on completion of the race. Interviews with crew and press visits to the ship alongside are available. To arrange contact Jo Wheeler (details below).

For more information, photos and interviews contact:

Jo Wheeler, PR and Events Manager for Tall Ships Youth Trust.
Tel: 023 9283 2055 Mobile: 07771 628029
E-mail: jo.wheeler@tallships.org

Georgina Bowen, Tourism Services Manager
Tel: 01803 296 296 (switchboard)
E-mail: georgina.bowen@torbay.gov

Notes to Editors

Tall Ships Youth Trust

The Tall Ships Youth Trust, incorporating the Sail Training Association, is a registered charity founded in Tor Bay in 1956 and is dedicated to the personal development of young people, aged 16-25, through the crewing of Tall Ships.

The mission is delivered through two magnificent 60-metre square-rigged sail training vessels, PRINCE WILLIAM and STAVROS S NIARCHOS, and by promoting sail training around the world. Fifty years on, the Tall Ships Youth Trust remains a world leader in the field of youth development.

Further information is available on www.tallships.org