A RIBBON-CUTTING ceremony hailing a new era in the town’s maritime history was the highlight of a two-day celebration last Saturday and Sunday to mark the 20th anniversary of the opening of Watchet’s marina.

Despite the cloudy, windy weather, the town’s Esplanade was crowded with residents and visitors who enjoyed a street market, barbecue, hog roast and day-long entertainment, and welcomed civic and business leaders and representatives of boating organisations.

They included directors and staff of the Cardiff-based Marine Property Group, which took over the marina from the previous owner in March, and who are spending £400,000 on a facelift aimed at making it a major tourist and boating attraction.

Shanty singers and boats decorated with flags and bunting provided a nautical backdrop to a celebration of 20 eventful years since 3,000 people saw round-the-world yachtsman Sir Robin Knox-Johnson open the £5.1 million marina and declare it would bring dramatic changes to the town.

It was a claim backed by Marine Group director Christopher Odling-Smee, who said: “We have been welcomed with open arms by the community and the 20th anniversary marks a new start for the marina.

“We are delighted that the town has joined us in our vision of bringing this beautiful marina back to its former glory and we want to be a force for good in the long term.”

Mr Odling-Smee said he was looking forward to the opening of the new East Quay development. These were exciting times for Watchet with an anticipated increase in visitor numbers and long-term berth-holders, and a late summer target for the improvements to be completed.

He said future plans - which would involve regular consultation - included providing local employment, working with the community and, in particular, sharing ideas with young entrepreneurs who were invited to get in touch.

Mr Odling-Smee added: “I want to thank the Watchet community for their support, and also the Marine Group team, who have literally been working day and night on the harbour renovation.”

Watchet Boat Owners Association treasurer Martin Stevens recalled that 28 years ago he had been involved with a group of boat-owners in the first plans to create a water-retained marina in the town.

Many years of delay and frustration followed but Mr Stevens paid tribute to former local MP Tom King, former town councillor Tony Knight, the RYA’s Don Sutherland and the late Cllr Sally de Renzy-Martin, among the key figures who helped turn the marina into reality.

“Once the decision to proceed with the marina had been made there followed a huge amount of work by council officers and councillors supported by Watchet Boat Owners Association, led by Bruce Scott, to raise funds, initiate engineering studies and arrive at a workable design for the marina.

“The marina enjoyed several years of successful operation but sadly the necessary dredging regime was not forthcoming and the marina went into decline with both visiting and resident boats rapidly disappearing as mud levels inevitably rose to unacceptable levels.”

Mr Stevens added: “The Watchet Harbour Advisory Committee tried valiantly to assist the marina operator with the sediment issue by forming a mud working sub-committee led by Watchet Boat Owners Association, which investigated possible solutions to the problem.

“It was in the course of investigations that the Marine Group appeared on the scene with some very positive ideas on how the sediment could be managed, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

Before cutting the birthday ribbon, Watchet’s mayor, Cllr John Irven, welcomed Cllrs Marcus Kravis and Dixie Darch of Somerset and Taunton Council (SWT), Watchet Coastal Communities Team chairman Peter Murphy, Mark Bale of Watchet Live, Jess Prendergrast from the Onion Collective, John de Renzy-Martin and Don Sutherland.

Cllr Irven thanked Martin Stevens, Chris Danby, Bruce Scott and Cathy Yuill of Watchet Boat Owners Association, the Marine Group staff and Molly Quint for organising the Sunday street market and other entertainment events.

There were also thanks to Chris Hall and his team at SWT for their outstanding work in repairing the Watchet harbour walls.

Cllr Irven added: “I will say that, although like the marina in its early days, the new East Quay designs are not everyone’s cup of tea, many other buildings and changes were opposed in their early days, only to become treasured with the passing of time.

“I am pleased that the marina is being supported by so many community groups and local authorities because the marina and East Quay will be a key enabler of economic development and well-being going forward.

“There is a great future for all groups collaboratively working together.”

Prizes for the best-dressed boat: winner – Zephyrus (Mike and Cathy Yuill); runner-up – Sunny Afternoon (Jonathan Pearman); commended: Aldila (Howard Pearson).