Sparkling Dunbar Strikes Gold Again!

What a stupendous event we had with our highest attendance yet with visitors enjoying superb events to arouse their interest. Relaxing in the sunshine, sparkling on the harbour waters, people came from near and far to enjoy the day. So many participated in our ‘Pirates and the Sea’ fancy-dress theme with enthusiasm and amazing outfits. Even a local yachtsman joined in the fun with a Jolly Roger sail!

'Tis oft heard whispered hereabouts, by Blackheart Wemyss of the Waterfront, that the booty spirited away amounted to nigh close on £1,000+ --- but dead men don't tell no tales, see... or else.  (all funds gratefully received by DHT and will be popped into the treasure chest for next years' event)

Big Blu Pizza, The Donut Man, Sno Cream Ices, The Tasty Toastie and Bisset's Fish Van had queues all day long, whilst many plonked themselves onto the upcycled creel benches, painted by children at our Environmental Open Day, to enjoy a liquid refreshment provided by the Linton Hotel & Steakhouse.

Stalls were provided by Hoth Crochet, Sweet Delights, Cats Eyes Crafts, Handpict, Salt Pig Sea Salts, The Soap Farm, Lark and Sea and the RSPB --- a superb selection of quirky crafts and artisan foods, whilst Dominique Oldham painted hundreds of little faces. 

The Battery was bustling with a fantastic turnout with the super-appreciative audience tapping toes to mellifluous music and smiling widely at the wonderful children from Dance Discovery. The quality of music at this year’s event, performed by Luke Hunter, Vinyl ’85, The Soul Foundation, Waiting for Pedro and Damson Jam was to be applauded, and was professionally projected by Liam Morrison and his ELJam crew.

One visitor from the West Coast, with family, wrote "We all thoroughly enjoyed it. We spent a fair bit of time exploring the town generally, not just the festival, which I guess is one of the main aims of the event."

Perhaps one of the most astounding things was the lack of litter during and after the event. We would like to thank everyone for being so responsible. 

Finally, a huge thank you to the family and friends who worked tirelessly on the lead-up and on the day. Their support was phenomenal, and this event would not have been the success it was without their endless efforts to assist.

Looking forward to 2020 already!

photos by Kenny Maule, click "Read More" for photo 2.

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"Alive, alive, Oh"

Seafood Scheme Goes Live  Applications are now available for a new £6.45 million funding scheme for fishers and small aquaculture businesses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) and EU Exit.

The Seafood Producers Resilience Fund will provide support to eligible shellfish catchers, producers and trout farmers who have faced issues exporting to the EU and lost access to domestic food markets as a result of COVID-19.

Launched on 5 February the fund is expected to benefit up to 1,000 vessels landing shellfish such as crab, lobster, scallops, langoustines and squid, and up to 75 aquaculture businesses that produce shellfish and table trout.

Information on eligibility and separate applications for aquaculture and fishing vessels are available on the Scottish Government website.

Announcing the funding earlier this week Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “The fund for shellfish and trout businesses will help the sector survive the ongoing loss of domestic sales due to COVID-19 and the current immediate challenges of Brexit, giving them some breathing space and allowing businesses to make the changes they need to adapt to the new, tougher, trading realities.” 

Boat owners: post-Brexit

Boat owners, leisure and professional, are advised by HMRC to carry evidence of VAT-status onboard their vessels ‘at all times’ in case of checks by customs officials, since the end of the Brexit transition on 31 December 2020. This applies to both commercial and leisure craft.

HMRC is advising owners to put together evidence of VAT-status, such as documentation of VAT paid, and evidence of where their yacht was at the end of the transition period. This is the case for all third countries.

They will also need to keep careful records about where their yacht has been subsequently, such as mooring receipts, so there is a record trail of evidence for VAT-status in case they are asked by officials. All documentation should be brought to and from the boat, rather than left aboard, due to the ‘damp nature’ of vessels.

Details:https://www.yachtingmonthly.com/news/boat-owners-need-to-carry-vat-proof-onboard-post-brexit-75771

Photo by Kenny Maule

Meet Nessie...

Interview with Romie Blair (Nessie), inspiration and taskmaster of Dunbar Against Litter.

Founded by Nessie, DAL is a group of like-minded people who would like to see Dunbar as litter-free as possible. DAL works with East Lothian Council, Zero Waste Dunbar, and Viridor as well as businesses and individuals in Dunbar who work at disposing of litter responsibly. Nessie is also a West Barns Community councillor.

“We are all volunteers, picking up litter from our streets, beaches, countryside and roadside and disposing of it in a responsible manner. We also want to spread the word and get people on board. You can volunteer! We have a project of Adopting-a-street - asking people to help clean up an area of the town. We can assist you by supplying bags and we hope to be able to supply pick-up sticks and hi-vis vests where funds allow. We can also help by advising where you can drop off bags that will be collected regularly. Additionally, we have litter bins in areas that the Council cannot reach. These bins are emptied regularly by our volunteers.”