Bill Jones & Rachel Ryan Cruz Arion Ed Wingfield Dockrell 17 Dolly Peel Walker Bay 10 Cuddy Duck Tim Roberts Sailed in Dolly Peel David & Margaret Spensley Wanderer Rhapsody in Blue Chris Hieke & Dougie Smith Wanderer Herbie Paul Harrison & Ian Page Suffolk Beach Punt Peregrine Janet & Malcolm Lawrence Lune Whammel Swallow Alan Glanville Ness Yawl Lowly Worm III Chris Battersby Drascombe Dabber Harry B Bill Steed Sailed in Lowly Worm III David Evans Family 14 Sona David & Ingrid Sumner Mirror Curlew Len Wingfield Sailed in Harry B Barbara, Dan & Michael Hanlon Sailed in Dolly Peel

The NE region’s flagship event, the Holy Island Rally, took place as usual on the late May Bank Holiday 23-26 May 2003. The organisers had at first been somewhat concerned at the apparent lower level of pre-rally enquiries, but these concerns proved unwarranted, since we had 22 people and 13 boats at the rally, with a good mix of regulars and newcomers.

As usual boats began arriving on the Friday afternoon. Strong westerly winds prevented sailing that day, apart from Ed Wingfield who had sailed up the coast from his regular mooring at Amble.

Saturday dawned bright and promising, with a SE f3 later NW f3, and clear weather with occasional impressive showers. Boats set off for the usual destinations. Three set out for the offshore passage to the Farnes, others for the inshore and more sheltered alternative explorations over Fenham Flats including the low water ‘seal circuit’ to experience the large colony of grey seals who gather in dense groups on the sandbanks. The Cruz Arion sailed round to the north coves on the seaward side of the island. These coves (the more northerly one is the better for beaching) are wonderfully deserted and remote-feeling. The sail back was more problematic, since it meant punching the strong ebb in a wind-over-tide situation which had built up a very steep and uneasy chop in the entrance. Once inside the whole inshore area was delightful as DCA boats pottered about in the afternoon sun. Dolly Peel had sailed with a visiting party across the entrance to Guile Point, for exploration and the customary Wingfield barbecue.

Sunday was very much a repeat of the previous day, with again good weather and winds f3. With a late morning HW the opportunity was taken to explore inshore, making the most of the chance to probe the creeks and shoreline up towards the Causeway. A group collected on St Cuthbert’s Island, cut off by the tide from the pedestrian tourists. Food and wine were enjoyed lazily, with panoramic views across the water, again dotted with sails of DCA boats. It must be said the Holy Island rally attracts its share of interesting and traditional rigs, among them the impressive Peregrine with her tan sails and gaff yawl rig, and Alan Glanville’s Lowly Worm reminiscent of Viking raiders at Lindisfarne a millennium before.

Monday was inevitably the day of retrieving boats and packing up for the return to ordinary life, though one or two boats sailed. The rally had been up to our expectations, and we hope the other members there felt the same.

The rally always has an innovative aspect, and this year, apart from providing his usual immaculate meteorological service (even though he was boatless), Tim Roberts came equipped for filming the activities. Early footage looks promising (see stills on his website tmtr.com) and the aim is to create a video of Holy Island sailing and the rally.

Bill Jones and Ed Wingfield