Hundreds of people poured on to Port St Mary’s Chapel beach for beach day.

The idea of the day was to evoke how the beach was enjoyed in the past.

’We were trying to bring back regatta style activities, the old times,’ said acting clerk Hayley Fargher who, with Darleen Greenwood, assisted the events committee (comprising Bernadette Williams, Glenys Brunt, Helen Kinvig, Will Gelling and Joyce Crook) in organising the day.

’We have a contractor now who cleans the beach. There is an ice cream van down there on a Sunday afternoon. Come and use the amenities!

’The events committee also wanted to bring the community together.’

Skull and crossbones flags flew high on the lower promenade above various fun frolics on the beach such as mermaid and pirate fancy dress, a treasure hunt, village pooch or princess (won by Angus Mitchell â?¦ the dog!) and a belly flop championships (won by Alex McGregor).

There was also team beach games, free mermaid face painting and pirate tattoos, beach artist of the year (won by Cath Oram), and a showdown between the Albert and the Station pubs, with the Station winning.

The committee thanked everyone who helped make the event a success.

Feedback had been ’lovely’ said Hayley.

’Residents are lucky to live in such a beautiful place with a great community spirit, agreed the committee and the beach day inspired by the past looks set to become a fixture in the calendar in the future.’