Come Aboard the 2011 Queenie Festival!

Organisers invite everyone to get involved in the annual ‘celebration of the sea’

The hugely popular Queenie Festival is set to return this July, bringing three days of fun entertainments, marine activities, local heritage and, of course, fantastic food by the seaside. This year, the festival takes place over 1st – 3rd July, and organisers are hoping that people will help to make the fourth annual ‘celebration of the sea’ the best yet by getting involved.

A truly local, community event, the Queenie Festival showcases Manx produce, culture, wildlife and the Isle of Man’s beautiful seascape. As in previous years, the Friday evening ‘Sure Beach Party’ in Port Erin will kick off a packed weekend programme for all ages and interests, focused around Port St Mary harbour area and Chapel Bay.

As well as favourite features such as the Herring Dance and the Manx Mile Swim, there’ll be a host of things to see, do and sample, whether it’s a scuba try-out or a plate of delicious seafood cooked to order. The famous Golden Queenie Quest is also set to return, albeit with a twist!

The festival organisers are inviting expressions of interest from anyone who would like to support the Queenie Festival, whether by sponsorship of an individual element or by lending a hand with any aspect of the preparation and running of the festival.

Festival founder Tim Croft says, “The Queenie Festival has gone from strength to strength each year thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and all our volunteers. We’re now looking for people to help make sure that the 2011 event is our most successful yet.

“As well as the feel-good factor of supporting your local community and marine conservation, you’re guaranteed to have a great time getting into the festival spirit and enjoying the many attractions and events taking place.

“We’re also welcoming enquiries from stallholders – especially artists, craftspeople and local producers – and any bands, musicians or entertainers who are interested in performing live during the festival. It’s a great opportunity to play to a friendly crowd while supporting a 100% local initiative”.

To find out more about how you can get involved in Queenie Festival 2011, simply contact Tim Croft – call (01624) 834494 or email timcroft@islandseafare.co.uk
All Press Enquiries: queeniepress@gmail.com

Tribute to Carl Gandy, a great friend of the Queenie Festival

Carl Gandy was one of those larger than life characters, if you didn’t know him, you definitely would have heard of him. Always a popular figure, he made his mark as Managing Director of Nationwide International, and of course was a committed family man. His sudden death after a short illness has left many people in shock. He is survived by his wife Julie and 5 children.

Port Erin resident, Carl, via his work as Chairman and Managing Director, organised Nationwide International sponsorship of the Isle of Man Queenie Festival in 2009 and 2010. Without that kind of support from key people in the local community, festivals like this one would struggle to exist. We would like to wish all his family the best in these troubling times.

Manx Queenies win Sustainable Seafood Award

Brilliant News – The Isle of Man Government has been working really hard over the past 5 years with it’s fishery and has rightly been recognised for the work it has done for the Manx Queenie. On Thursday a delegation went over to London for the annual Sustainable Seafood Awards held at the Billingsgate Seafood School.

Manx Queenies were against 5 other finalists which included the likes of the Wild Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute for their Alaskan Cod, so the standard of entry was extremely high. Andy Reid the Director of the Fisheries on the Isle of Man presented the case in front of a panel of judges including industry experts, food journalists and scientists.

When the results were read out and the Isle of Man Manx Queenies had won, it was a fantastic moment for all concerned, Fishermen, processors and everyone involved in the success of the Queenie. Looks like the festival in July is gonna be a cracking celebration!
Check out the Manx Queenies on ITV here!

Queenie Festival 2011 dates for the diary!

We are happy to announce the dates for the 2011 Queenie Festival, following the very successful 2010 event. The three day celebration of the sea will take place on the weekend of the 1st, 2nd & 3rd of July.

The festival will kick off with the Off Sure beach party on Port Erin beach on the Friday evening. Food tents hosted by celebrity chefs, live music, marine activities, beach cricket and the Off Sure dip are some of the attractions.

Day Two commences with a Marine Day in Port St Mary, in and around Alfred Pier & Paddy’s Market. Live chefs, music, Trawler racing, Kayak racing and the Viking Manx Mile are amongst the events on show. In the evening there is the Herring Dance a ticket only event with live music, as well as some of the best cuisine this side of the Atlantic!

Completing the weekend on Sunday afternoon is the second part of the Marine Day. Manx scallop dancing, traditional Manx music, more live chef action & music round off a fine weekend.

More details to follow in the coming months…

Queenie Festival 2010 roundup

Friday and Saturday’s events were a little bit of a washout to say the least, but thousands headed down to the sunshine in Port Mary for the Queenie Festival Marine weekend on Sunday.

The event ‘A Celebration of the Sea’ included numerous activities taking place over the weekend such as The Manx Mile Swim, Fishing in the Past and Kayaking, as well as live music, cookery demonstrations and the popular as ever touch tanks with real live crabs, lobsters and starfish.

Manx Queenies were the order of the day along the quayside of Port St Mary with visiting stalls and local businesses doing a roaring trade with the strong crowds.

Among the stalls were Queenie’s and bacon from Paddy’s Market, Queenie Festival chocolate from Cocoa Red and superb collection on home made baked cakes courtesy of the ladies from the Manx Wildlife trust all serving up some real afternoon tea treats.

There was herring filleting demonstrations and a number of diving demos’ to give people a flavour of the marine plants, seaweed and wildlife found in the local waters. Live music stages hosted numerous local bands and their was even a rare local performance by the Isle of Man’s MHK’s doing the traditional ‘Manx Scallop Dance’ – it wasn’t to be missed!

Tim Croft, organiser, commented “It’s crucial that when you live on an island surrounded by the coast and the sea that we really understand what role it has on our lives and how we should all work to preserve it for future generations. The Isle of Man Queenie Festival aims to showcase the best of everything the surrounding water have to offer, it really is a celebration of the sea’.

Tim added, “It’s been difficult this year with the weather, but you have to accept that living here on the island, but all in all it’s been a great festival.”

Steve and Kerry Bridgestone from visiting the Isle of Man from Essex with their two young boys Ryan and Jacob said, “It’s a fantastic atmosphere and its very interesting to learn about the Isle of Man’s maritime heritage. We have loved sampling the local Queenie’s taking the Fishing in the past walks and the kids have enjoyed steering the model boats.

Viking Support for Sea Invasion!

Viking Office Systems become the official sponsors of the 2010 Queenie Festival open water swimming event.

If you fancy trying out open water swimming, the best opportunity this summer will be during the 2010 Queenie Festival (9th – 11th July).

On Saturday 10th July, adventurous swimmers will be taking to the waters off Port St Mary to tackle the ‘Manx Mile’ challenge.

Sponsoring the event is Viking Office Systems, the St Johns-based company which specialises in document management.

The swim is just one of the highlights of the second annual Queenie Festival, a community ‘Celebration of the Sea’ centred in Port St Mary and Port Erin.

Stan Keig, Managing Director of Viking Office Systems, explains why he decided to sponsor the Manx Mile: “I went to last year’s Queenie Festival and thought it was fantastic. Our whole family had a wonderful time. I said to (organiser) Tim Croft at the time that next year, I would support it properly.

“I was brought up in Port St Mary and used to swim across the bay, so the Manx Mile event really appeals to me personally, too.”

Organising the Manx Mile is Mark Gorry from the Isle of Man Open Water Swimming Club. Last year, Mark devised the ‘Scallop Shell Swims’ for the Queenie Festival, a series of fun, competitive swims for youngsters and adults in Gansey, Port St Mary and Port Erin Bays.

The popularity of those swims, which attracted entrants of all ages and abilities, spurred Mark on to create a new event for 2010.

This time, entrants will start at 2.30pm from Port St Mary inner harbour and follow a triangular course, which takes in Chapel Bay, before returning to the starting point. There will be classes for junior/inexperienced and senior/experienced swimmers, and participants may wear either wetsuits or swimsuits.

Stan has confirmed that as well as sponsoring the event, he will be taking part, along with his 9 year old daughter Elina, and father and daughter are currently training in the Western Swimming Pool. Stan is undeterred by the fact that the sea temperature, even in July, will be many degrees cooler than the pool, and says he will brave the sea without a wetsuit!

Viking Office Systems, established in 1994, has a long tradition of supporting events and causes in the community. The company has sponsored Douglas, Vagabonds and St Johns Rugby Clubs, as well as charities such as the Western Live at Home Scheme.

If you would like to find out more about the Manx Mile, contact Mark Gorry on (07624) 430631 or email markgorry@hotmail.com.

For more information about the 2010 Queenie Festival, visit www.queeniefestival.com. If you are interested in sponsorship, simply contact Tim Croft on (01624) 843394.

Saturday 4th July – Marine Day & Yn Daunse n Skeddan’

Marine Day 2009 builds on the success of last year’s event where thousands came out despite the rain for what was a fantastic Day in Port St Mary. This year’s event starts at 11am and has the extremely popular marine touch tanks, courtesy of Manx Wildlife Trust, for kids and adults to get up close with the fish and plant species that live in the surrounding sea. Around the touch tanks will be a whole host of events, stalls, live music and competitions.

This year also sees the return of the Port St Mary Trawler race! Prizes are on offer for a time trial and also the best dressed boat which I bet will be worth the trip to Port St Mary in themselves.

Again there will be cooking and seafood preparation demonstrations as well as plenty of food available for you to enjoy throughout the day. The Lifeboat, Barrule Fisheries Vessel, Coastguard, 7th Wave and Manx Wildlife Trust will all be there giving you a chance to interact and maybe get involved with.

It really will be a great family day out and if last year’s is anything to go by it doesn’t matter what the weather is doing.

Yn Daunse n Skeddan’ or The Herring Dance starts at 8pm in the Stone Field in Port St Mary and goes on till late. For those of you that don’t know the Stone Field, it is at the cross roads by Port St Mary School. This is just a good old fashioned knees up; licensed bar, live music and a great laugh. Those of you that remember the Stone Field doos from the past will be able to vouch for how good these nights are and I’m sure there’ll be many Stone Field veterans there on the night. Bunch of Skankas & The Tholtan Builders are providing the entertainment so not one to be missed!

Friday 3rd July – Love your Beach

Friday has an impressive list of events all focussed on or beside Port Erin Beach. Beach Volleyball, Scallop Shell Open Water Swims, Flipper Football, a live samba band, a limbo competition, The Fairly Famous Family and a Barbeque by TV Celebrity Chefs Mitch Tonks and Mark Hix.

There will also be a beach bar serving wine, beer and tropical Manx cocktails thanks to Martin at The Bay pub.

Port Erin will certainly be THE place to be on the Island and we’re sure there will be a great atmosphere. With so much going on adults and kids will have a great night at the beach.

Thanks to Sure for sponsoring Friday’s fantastic beach event.

More details on Friday’s event can be found here >>>

Sales & Tales, what a scorcher!

The bay of Port Erin hosted the Sales and Tales event on Wednesday night and once again we were bathed in glorious sunshine.

The evenings events kicked off at 5pm with over 150 local children gathering along Port Erin Beach and a few keen adults joining in whilst others relaxed outside the Cosy Nook enjoying the the usual hospitality combined with tasty treats including Manx Queenies and bacon.

A cannon boomed and across the bay on the flat calm water a boat was seen heading to the beach. The crowds gathered on the waterline as the boat neared and landed with local past figures such as James Kelly (the only survivor of the Brig Lily disaster and Juan Robin (skipper of the local smuggling boat Mauthe Dhoo) amongst others, all of whom were played by actors making their way up the beach where campfires were lit along various locations.

The groups were then split up and lead around to each small fire where they were told local yarns and manx tails about the maritime history of the Isle of Man.

In addition to the story telling the groups were also introduced to a number of boats thanks to the 7th Wave team.

It was great to see the children asking questions and interacting with the story tellers and I am sure the event was enjoyed by everyone young and old.

No doubt the Queenies, local food along with a few glasses/bottles of wine (for the adults) rounded of a succesful sun blessed evening of Sales and Tales in the stunning setting of Port Erin bay overlooked by Bradda Head and Milners Tower.

Thursday 2nd July – It’s all Beneath Us

Thursday will be a fantastic day for underwater enthusiasts. This includes diving, snorkelling and fishing. With both a junior fishing competition from Port St Mary breakwater and an adults competition aboard local charter boat ‘Gemini’, parents and kids can get involved in the fun. For those wanting to try diving or snorkelling instruction will be given on Chapel Beach and will be a great introduction to the sport.

For those not wanting to be quite so energetic we are also very lucky to have footage from underwater in Manx seas which will be projected onto a big screen in the Carrick Bay Factory at the top of the Alfred Pier in Port St Mary.

Special thanks to Paddy’s Market for their sponsorship of Thursdays events.

More details of Thursdays events can be found here >>>

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