POOLE fishermen abandoned their nets, decorated their boats and took to the waters for a special event.

Trawlers and boats were decorated with colourful flags and bunting as they ploughed up and down Poole Harbour with their occupants soaking everyone in sight as the Poole Fishermen’s Regatta got underway on July 22, 1989.

Over the weekend the Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Nigel Westwood, helped judge the 25 smart vessels in the Concours d’Elegance, urged on his teams in the whaler and Gemini race, provided a football team and a tug-of-war team of which he was the anchorman.

Although the fish escaped being netted that day, some serious cash was. The fishermen handed over £1,000 to former Poole Mayor John Norman for the Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The Concour d’Elegance, whose judges looked at fishing gear and safety equipment as well as cleanliness, was hooked by Tony Way with his boat Two Ways.