The BBC came over to film and take part in the gig race on Friday the 18th of May. It is likely to feature both on County File and Blue Peter soon. The Blue Peter presenters that travelled to the Islands were Liz Barker and Simon Thomas. They follow in the footsteps of John Leslie, who has come over on behalf of the Blue Peter team to watch and race in Scillonian gigs before. Simon Thomas rowed in the St. Mary?s gig the Nor-Nour in the Friday men?s swap race from Nut Rock with the Men-a-Vaur crew. This visit is a follow up to an earlier visit by the team during the winter 2001, it is thought that an entire episode of Blue Peter will be devoted to the Islands and features on flower farming, gig racing and Bishop Rock Lighthouse will be included. Blue Peter intend to air their story on Monday, 30th of May. It is unlikely Simon will become a permanent fixture for the Men a Vaur team as his crew only managed 8th place, out of nine.

After over 20 years with the Steamship Company, Captain Paul Row will retire as Captain of the Scillonian this month. Captain Row has become a ?local celebrity? according to many during his days as Skipper. In order to commemorate the event, there will be a special sailing of the Scillonian on Sunday the 20th of May. The trip will be, as ever, open to the public but many of Captain Row?s friends are expected to sail with him on his final voyage in command. The guest list for the event includes the chairman of the Steamship company and several past captains as well as other Steamship Company officials. It is rumoured that once on St. Marys, a cocktail party will comence as a farewell and thankyou for his many years of service. He will be replaced by Captain Pascoe who has been the ?back-up? captain, and will start full-time on the bridge on Monday the 21st. Many locals will be sad to see him go but we all wish him a Happy retirement. Happy retirement to Cap. Row!

Boat builder Peter Martin with some of the Penryn Ladies crew at the launch of Penryn’s “Morlader”.

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Veterans - Mens
1 Mary Newman
2 Merthen
3 Lightning
4 Tregarthens
5 Joker
7 Idas
8 Rose of Cadgwith
9 Taran
10 Wolf
11 Fear Not
12 Galatea
13 Tormentor
14 Teign Spirit
15 Catalina
16 Hugomar

Veterans - Ladies
1 Morlader
2 Golden Gear
3 Fury
4 Storm
5 Jeannie
6 Majestic

Veterans Mixed
1 Isis
2 Royal

Punchbowl Trophy Race
1 Tregarthens
2 Galatea
3 Islander
4 Shah
5 Circe

Defiance, Czar, Tormentor

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Neptunus, Morlader, Odin

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Golden Gear

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Rose of Cadgwith, Shah, Islander, Morvoren

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Mary Newman