Raft race videos

Story courtesy of ThisIsCornwall

A stiff breeze may have stopped the day being completely balmy but with blue skies overhead and calm seas beneath, the fleet of rafts at the annual race from Newlyn Green were quite a spectacle. The firefighters of orange watch from Penzance Community Fire Station got home first despite the dungarees and heavy make-up of their Oompa Loompa costumes. But the Newlyn Meadery Maids also gave a great showing as usual. 

Organiser Marcia Bell said: “It was amazing, the weather was brilliant and the sun shone all day.” Best raft was won by a group of children dressed as sailors and in another now regular event, the crew of the Penlee Lifeboat beat fire brigade in a tug of war. Food and other stalls also did a thriving trade and 60s and 70s cover band The Scarecrows played for most of the day to keep the crowds entertained. 

The race has become a major point on the Newlyn calendar and helps raise vital cash to help pay for the Newlyn Christmas lights display. Marcia said: “We haven’t counted it yet but it looks like we’ve done exceptionally well with our collection buckets. People were really generous as usual. “This is one of the major fundraising events for the lights so we were worried the weather mean we had to call it off, but it was fine. “The lights are very expensive because of things like electricity, scaffolding and insurance, but this should make it a certainty it will be a great display this year and I’d like to thank everyone who contributed.” 

Further events to raise cash for Newlyn Christmas Lights include a performance by Cornish comic Johnny Cowling in October and an auction at The Swordfish in December. Read more:

The teams line up...

and they're off!

they made it!