Broadstairs Water Gala has had to postpone the event, which had been due to take place tomorrow (August 2) due to predicted strong to gale force winds.
Some evening music sessions, funfair rides and possibly the fireworks may may still take place this evening but the annual event has been moved to August 23.
The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for tomorrow, predicting: “Widely wet and windy with swathes of rain. Strong winds, with gales possible along English Channel coasts.”
Gusts are predicted to reach 45-50 mph, possibly 60mph in the most exposed areas of far south and south west England.
Organisers issued a statement today (August 1) saying: “We are so sad to announce that we cannot go ahead with the planned activities for Water Gala tomorrow.
“The weather has beaten us again- the latest Met Office daytime forecast is for heavy, squally showers with possible thunder / lightning with strong to gale force winds along the coast.
“It would not be safe for us to attempt to run an event with water / beach and bandstand activities, plus our stall holders who help to pay for the event would not be able to set up marquees / gazebos along the promenade.
“The funfair will still be open throughout the day, however some rides/ attractions may not be able to operate.
“If the wind moderates as forecast, we are still planning for the night time bandstand music, firework display and funfair to go ahead but we will have to review this early Wednesday morning when we’ve seen the updated forecast .
“Finally some good news. We will be rescheduling the Water Gala activities and events to Wednesday August 23rd- hopefully summer will at last be here by then, along with a grand firework finale.”
For updates keep an eye on the water gala facebook page here
the greasy pole that is thanet ?
Even without the predicted wind, the heavy rain will result in our lovely beaches being awash with sewage so best to postpone in any case.
Just read that there is a pollution warning for tomorrow at viking bay !
It’s more likely cancelled because of the higher level of ecoli in water as southern water is telling us.
poor reporting if you cant link the 2 storys you have written !
nothing to do with the Ecoli then.
The water gala announcement was made based on the weather and before organisers knew about the pollution warning.
Why no story here about the warning not to swim in Viking bay? Surely that’s vital and urgent local news???
There is a story about that, written yesterday morning https://theisleofthanetnews.com/2023/08/01/kent-surf-school-and-concessions-suffer-as-third-pollution-risk-warning-issued-for-viking-bay/
Hi Kathy thanks for correcting me but one thing for sure they would have had to cancel once that was known, everything seems to be going bad this summer after last year’s bumper summer all down to the jet stream being below us this year!