THREE carved wooden benches, to commemorate the Yarmouth Old Gaffers Festival which ran from 1997 until 2017, have been unveiled on The Green.

The benches were designed by Gaffers chair Debbie Cotton and wood sculptor Paul Sivell.

Debbie explained: "The three benches are all different, with one featuring a sleeping fox which has been made specifically for children to enjoy.

"There is also a woodland theme on another bench with leaves carved into it and the main bench has a sea scene and a gaff rigged sloop on it.

"They have already had a fantastic reception and the Harbour Commission is considering having some more on The Green.

"The benches have been placed there to mark a section of the Yarmouth Heritage Trail.

"When the Gaffers Festival was wound up, the committee distributed most of the money left over to a variety of good causes and we had some left over for the benches so people will never forget what we achieved over 20 years."

Talking about the design, Paul said: "I wanted to focus on the spirit of the sea and the gaff rigged sloop on the bench was inspired by one of my relatives going back several generations who owned one of them.

"However, he was shot and killed by customs officers for alleged smuggling and he has one on his headstone.

"The benches are made from Cypress wood and are naturally durable. Eventually they will turn grey but will not need any maintaining."

The Gaffers Festival attracted around 30,000 people through the town each year and included live music, street entertainment and market stalls.

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