Thirteen turned out to be a lucky number for the Irish Boat Jumble this year as the sun came out in full force for the 13th Irish Boat Jumble on Sunday 13 April 2008, writes Sonja Brodie. The annual event, held at the Carrickfergus Sailing Club, raised well in excess of £1,000 for the RNLI.
Attendance figures were up 18.5 percent on last year, according to the organisers, with visitors from the Republic of Ireland turning out in droves to take advantage of the favourable Euro exchange rate. "You get to meet a lot of nice people and you never know what you might find," said a punter from Donegal, who makes the two and a half hour journey to the event each year and has done so for the past four years.
While the adults were bargain-hunting for cut-price rope, anti-fouling, fenders and tools, several children got the chance to try out dinghy sailing on the Belfast Lough, the scenic backdrop for the event.
The 80 stalls at this year's jumble sold everything from second-hand bits and bobs to the latest gadgets and boat projects. Environmental concerns in the boating world were in evidence with a number of stalls selling green products, including organic boat cleaner, marine composting toilets, solar panels and wind generators. There were also informational booths from organisations such as the Ocean Youth Trust, the Ulster Sailing Club, the RNLI and the Coast Guard Agency.
"This is the best event for being friends with people," said stallholder Peter Giovannoli. First-time attendee Elaine Avery, from environmentally friendly chandler Kernowrat in Cornwall, echoed this sentiment. "It's a beautiful venue and people are very friendly," she said. "We'll be back next year.
" On a more sombre note, the Boat Jumble Association presented the Carrickfergus Sailing Club with a barometer for its club room to honour the memory of the late Joe McEvoy. Joe died earlier this spring while serving as Commodore of the Club. He is survived by his wife Iris, herself a past Commodore of Carrickfergus Sailing Club.
The Irish Boat Jumble is the biggest event of its kind in Ireland, it is organised by the Boat Jumble Association in co operation with Carrickfergus Sailing Club. It has been held every year at Carrickfergus since 1996.
The countdown to the next event has already begun. A date has been set for Sunday 5 April 2009.
Why not come on over and join in all the fun? There are economically priced Club stalls available, individuals are welcome too. Contact Carrickfergus Sailing Club for details of how to get involved. www. boatjumbleassociation.co.uk has a full, up to date, listing of events in the UK.
NOTE TO EDITORS Feel free to use this article but please acknowage the photographers and reporter, Jim and Sonja Brodie. Telephone 07721 888 789 or E Mail john.boatjumble@btinternet.co.uk for clarification or more information.
Boat Jumble photo captions:
1. The Boat Jumble Association presents a barometer to Carrickfergus Sailing Club in memory of the club's late Commodore Joe McEvoy. Left to right: Past Commodore Terry Windsor, Boat Jumble Association Secretary Tim Mear, Rear Commodore Drew McClenaghan, CSC Chairman Jim Shields, Boat Jumble Liaison Officer Graham Walton and CSC Vice Chairman Alan Weir. (Photo: Jim Brodie)
2. The Boat Jumble Association presents the RNLI with a donation collected from all 80 stall holders at the 2008 Irish Boat Jumble. Left to right: Carrickfergus Sailing Club Past Commodore Terry Windsor, Carrickfergus RNLI Press Officer Lucy Stewart, Boat Jumble Association Secretary Nigel Stride and Carrickfergus RNLI Chairman Raymond McIlrath. (Photo: Sonja Brodie)
3. Wares on display at the 13th Irish Boat Jumble ranged from nuts and bolts to entire projects. (Photo: Jim Brodie)
4. The Carrickfergus Sailing Club has played host to the Irish Boat Jumble since 1996. (Photo: Jim Brodie)
5. Visitors enjoying the atmosphere at the 13th Irish Boat Jumble. (Photo: Jim Brodie)