As a kid it was a rare but special and somehow exotic thing to walk along Poole Quay, with the sailing boats 5 and 6 abreast bobbing alongside the wall. Looking for foreign flagged vessels, listenting into the conversations about weather and destinations. Sometimes bigger boats, often gaggles of small yachts.
But when the marina was built on the end of the Quay, any small craft were swept off the quay wall, and with them a lot of the character and unique visitor attraction for yachtsmen to Poole. Why does that matter ? Well, I had a conversation with someone from Swanwick on Southampton water. They moored next to us in Yarmouth, and were eating at the same restaraunt.
He said that Poole was no longer a 'draw', because it used to be an experience to be on the quay wall, but the secured marina could be anywhere. He said it was hard to feel welcome in Poole as a yachtsman. And when I look at the shops available to attract visitors in Poole near the Quay, the bottom of Poole high street could definately do with more provisions, art and diversity, which the extra passing trade could maybe bring. Surely the restaraunts, pubs, variety and interest of the quay would be reinvigorated just by returning the use to such visitors.
Is sailing sustainable ? Well, could certainly construct an argument for sailing (rather than motor) boats, but then I sail, so of course I would !
No comments:
Post a Comment