Anyone at the Yarmouth harbour protest?

[jonathanhsm]

Yarmouth Protest - Moving Pictures and Interviews

You can see extended pictures and interviews from the protest here

http://www.itv.com/meridian-west/yarmouth-marina-protest101

 

[jonathanhsm]

Yarmouth Protest - moving pictures and interviews

Sorry link didn't copy properly - try this

http://www.itv.com/meridian-west/yarmouth-marina-protest10130/

 

[l'escargot]

Noone here has addressed the main message of the protest as cited in the article.. not ambience, tradition or culture, its:

"protesters believe the plans will 'potentially change the harbour from a popular sailing destination into a sterile marina' [...] 'Many marinas along the south coast are mostly populated by yachts and motorboats that are seldom used because their absentee owners - both private and corporate - have neither the time nor the money these days to use their boats as often as they thought they would when they first bought them."

So its not about having less berths available, its about having berthloads of dead boats and no space for transients!

'There will be fewer visitors with less cash passing over the counters of the town's businesses, shops, pubs and restaurants which will have an immediate knock-on effect on revenues from business rates and the general atmosphere and appearance of the town.'

I absolutely concur with this, I have seen many dead marinas reminiscent of the idiotic & ghostly holiday home villages on the costa del sol.. You can find lively harbours in Denmark, Sweden or around the Baltic where there are less permanent berths.

But it remains that it isn't being turned into a marina, it will continue to be a harbour run by the harbour commissioners. There will still be the same number or slightly more transient berths. There is no provision for absentee private or corporate owners as the restrictions on obtaining a permanent mooring are very strict - you have to live within several miles of Yarmouth church (very few because it doesn't extend to Newport or Lymington). So it is in the hands of the local population to ensure it isn't full of dead berths, after all it is them who are calling for more berths for residents. There is a historical opposition to change on the island, particularly in the smaller outlying areas. I think this possibly falls into that category.

 

[ChrisE]

Apologies to both Robin and The Snail for getting my facts slightly wrong.

I happen to agree with The Snail, I'm not sure much will change. Once the first pontoons arrived, I'm old enough to remember when it was stll mostly pile moorings, it was inevitable that it would end up following the rest.

Whatever happens, providing they keep the berthing masters (and lately mistresses) the place will keep enough of its original character. If you don't know what I mean, try watchnig the guys patiently sorting out a newbie who hasn't appreciated the tidal streams in the harbour. And I still like the way they refer to you as Skip...