At a ceremony held at Peg Legs Restaurant on Tuesday, Government, with the BVI Spring Regatta and Sailing Festival Committee, kicked-off the 40th anniversary celebrations of the internationally renowned BVI Spring Regatta with an unveiling of a new set of stamps commemorating the four decades of the event.
Governor Boyd McCleary, who is also the Principal of the Royal BVI Yacht Club, congratulated the organisers of the regatta on their anniversary, adding that: “The BVI Spring Regatta and Festival is a major opportunity for the Virgin Islands to sell itself to the wider yachting world and to demonstrate that the Territory remains the sailing capital of the world.”
Premier and Minister of Finance Ralph O’Neal who is also the tourism minister, said the sailing sector of tourism has grown over the years and will continue to grow with the continuation of events such as the BVI Spring Regatta.
Giving a historical perspective, Premier O’Neal said: “Forty years ago, a few people came together with the vision to establish a yacht club and others were very sceptic. Today, I congratulate the club for their determination and consistency in helping to develop the tourism industry in the Virgin Islands.”
Postmaster Kevin Smith said: “In issuing stamps, the BVI Post wants to ensure our archives capture all the significant moments in the Territory by selecting those institutions and individuals who play a significant part in portraying the Virgin Islands in a significant way. Forty years of the BVI Spring Regatta is no doubt a very significant impact.”
The BVI Post also presented first day covers to Director of the BVI Spring Regatta and Festival Judy Petz, who also chaired the event.
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The set of four stamps ranges in cost from 15 cents to $2.00. The 15-cent, 35-cent and 50-cent stamps feature yachts competing in Regattas in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000. The $2.00 stamp shows the original building which was used as the first BVI Yacht Club’s clubhouse during the 1970s.
The issue is now available at every post office sub-station in the Territory, as well as the BVI Post’s retail store at the Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island. For more information, telephone the BVI Post at 468-3701 extension 5160.
Chairman of the BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association Dr. Birney Harrigan and Chairman of the BVI Spring Regatta and Festival Robert Phillips also gave remarks.
Government’s support of the BVI Spring Regatta is in keeping with its vision to diversify the tourism sector.ļ»æ
Nanny Cay has been host and presenting sponsor of the event since 2002.
