A report on our meeting held on 4th October 2021 

Bro Robin Sharpe’s illustrated talk about the Bridlington Marina saga was read by the Scribe Bro Garry Sunley. Sadly, Bro Robin died in 2020.  This, his last presentation, was as usual full of detail that informed, entertained, and jogged memories. In this case it also left us asking the question, “What if?

It was a story of huge marina schemes that were overly optimistic, practical schemes that couldn’t find finance, schemes that would have drained the ratepayers’ pockets, and schemes that would have cost the ratepayer nothing. Most of all, it is the lesson that when any one vital stakeholder perceives they will lose more than they gain, then nothing will happen.

The title of the talk comes from a Bridlington Free Press editorial of 1988 rueing the downfall of yet another marina project after decades of hopes.  Little did they know that more decades of dashed hopes were to follow.

Bro Robin’s talk took us through all the proposed marinas.  Sites stretched from Flamborough South Landing to Wilsthorpe, with several schemes involving an extended harbour.

Back in 1969, it was Bridlington business man Dennis Delsom who revealed an ambitious plan for a marina and leisure complex development at Wilthorpe at no expense to the municipal authorities. Bro Robin’s research took us through the twists and turns in the protracted dealings that led in 1979 to Mr Delsom walking away, and successfully developing similar schemes in Canada.

Bro Robin outlined the marina options that followed including in 1984 at the South Cliff boating park, plans by Rank Marine International, and several schemes involving an extended harbour.

In 1997 it was hoped that Millennium Commission and European funds might produce a viable plan but this funding failed to materialise.

Bro Robin’s talk looked at the Yorkshire Marina Partnership’s plans with their consultants Ove Arup around 2001 and the resulting public enquiry that led to the government rejecting the proposal in 2003.

Another harbour extension marina was proposed in 2004 only to be scotched in 2005. A 2008 plan seemed too have agreement all round, but phasing and access disagreements caused its demise.

In 2017 consultants Arup (again) drew up plans for the “Yorkshire Harbour and Marina” but concluded it would not be economically viable.  We are left wondering, “What next?”

The Prior Maureen Bell thanked Bro Garry for delivering Bro Robin’s presentation.