Worst weather in living memory rocks regatta

15 August 2006

An annual regatta event was forced to cancel many of its attractions over the weekend after being hit by a wave of bad weather.

The regatta in Whitby, north Yorkshire, was rocked by rough seas, gale force winds and heavy downpours, according to the Whitby Gazette.

Rowing races were called off as were most of the other attractions at the three-day event.

Ivor Greer, chairman of Whitby Regatta, said it was the worst weather he had seen during his 20-year involvement with the event.

"We've had bad weather on one day before but we have always managed to turn it around on the other two," he told the local paper.

"I've never known it to be such bad weather for the whole three days – not in my living memory.

"A lot of people have said to me they have never known it as bad before for such a long period, especially after the scorching weather we have had lately."

According to Paul Ward, a director of Boilerjuice.com, the torrent should come as a timely reminder of the wintry conditions ahead.

"After the hot weather we have had recently, it's difficult to remember what it's like when the weather turns wet and cold," he said.

"Weather like this should serve as a reminder to us all that we need to be prepared for the colder months and that means ensuring a safe supply of heating oil. Buying it in the summer months can reduce costs too."