Changes to Falmouth Week on the cards (From Boating Cornwall)

Changes to Falmouth Week on the cards

1:16pm Friday 24th August 2007 in

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Changes in the shoreside entertainment for Henri-Lloyd Falmouth Week next year are likely to be made. But no details are expected to be announced until a full "wash-up" meeting has been held involving all parties involved, including the Events Square management team, Carrick council, Falmouth town council and the Falmouth town centre manager together with the Port of Falmouth Sailing Association.

The changes are expected to come about as a result of criticism and comment made about some of the evening entertainment. The venue having been moved to the Princess Pavilion instead of being held in a marquee alongside the waterfront as in previous years.

Carrick council, which owns the pavilion, claim events there were a huge success, and that a number of acts were sold out. But much of the criticism involved the popular 70s night and Caribbean Evening which gives the public a chance to dress up, let their hair down and party.

The Packet received a number of telephone calls from people who had looked forward to the week.

Hugh Dickinson of Falmouth and a regular at the Caribbean evenings said he was bitterly disappointed. So much so he and a party of about eight demanded their money back from the Pavilion, were promptly given it and left the building by taxi for the town centre.

"I think a lot of others did the same," he said. "I know many left."

He said the Pavilion was "full of children, many drunk, and hiding drinks and glasses in the bushes outside."

Mr Dickinson said he had nothing against the pavilion or what it was trying to do but the venue just was not suitable for Falmouth Week.

"We had our doubts but thought we would give a whirl," he said. "They did the best they could at the pavilion."

He said another event during the week saw few people attend.

Another partygoer to contact the Packet this week said he felt he had gone to a sixth form party while another said atmosphere was lacking and far fewer people could attend than when it was held on the waterfront. "You can only take so many people at the pavilion," he said. Another said it was no good holding a regatta week at a venue so far out of the town and away from the action.

Penryn businessman Mike Jordan, who has often taken part in Falmouth Week, said the shoreside organisers had "lost the plot" as to what the week was all about. There was little atmosphere on the waterfront in Falmouth, he said. The whole thing was "too disjointed."

Carrick council and shoreside entertainment organisers are remaining upbeat, claiming the whole week was a success.

Alan Horne, who run's Carrick's leisure services including the pavilion said the week was successful and there had been support for the move from the waterfront to the pavilion.

Marc Laundon, manager of the pavilion said the Caribbean evening did not reflect what Falmouth week was all about.

Mike Rangecroft who runs the events square entertainment said he was aware of the comments, which had been made. He said there would be a rethink but the area around the waterfront was for more family entertainment. The square had now been completed and there was little space for a huge marquee.

What events were held there were successful although weather conditions during the week kept many away.

On the sailing front comments from sailors only involved the courses for racing. Some were not competitive enough and ended up more like a drag sail in the conditions, said one.