Meet the Brett’s. They arrive today for a week-long break to Tresco which they won in last year’s Family Traveller Magazine competition! We hope they have a great time…

For the youngsters Adam and Naomi, it’s the first time on an aeroplane. “They’re very excited about that especially as it’s in such a small aircraft,” says grandmother, Sue. “We are all very much looking forward to our stay on the Isles of Scilly. It will be the first time for all of us… although we’ve known about the islands for a long time and always wanted to visit.”

Sue first got to hear about the Isles of Scilly watching TV programmes such as Coast, Gardener’s World and Countryfile and ever since, a trip to Tresco Abbey Garden has been on her bucket list!  “Phil and I are very keen gardeners so I am really looking forward to visiting the Abbey Garden,” says Sue.  “The children can’t wait to get down to the beach and the sea – I think they will be amazed by just how beautiful they are here.  We’re also looking forward to some great family time. We live very close to busy roads on the mainland so the peace and quiet, and walking opportunities with very few cars around will be fantastic.”

Pictured from left to right are: Grandfather Phil, Grandmother Sue, Mum Sarah, and Naomi and Adam – three generations of Brett heading off for a lovely late Easter holiday break.

The Family Traveller Competition was for a week-long break staying in a Seagarden Cottage on Tresco Island, plus flights from Land’s End courtesy of Isles of Scilly Travel.  In 2015, Family Traveller named the Isles of Scilly “Best UK Family Destination”.

A 45-minute TV documentary all about the Isles of Scilly that was screened prime time on the German broadcast network NDR on Thursday 24th March has caused a spike in interest and enquiries from the country. The programme was filmed and produced by Hanno Gerken and Frank Mirbach after two trips to the Isles of Scilly in June and September last year, both of which were facilitated by the Islands’ Partnership.

From the Thursday evening when the programme was broadcast to Bank Holiday (Easter) Monday evening, there were 10,203 visitors to our Visit Isles of Scilly website, 16% of whom were from Germany. Comparatively, the same days for the week before saw 9,487 website visitors in total, of which just 2.5% were from Germany.

The Islands’Partnership also answered a number of enquiries through the Visit Isles of Scilly Facebook page whilst Urlaub Cornwall, which specialises in Germany tours to Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, had 8,000 visits to the Scilly section of its website in the 36 hours following the broadcast.

The Islands’ Partnership is delighted to announce that the Royal Air Force Red Arrows will perform an acrobatic display as part of the Islands’ Regatta which is taking place on the Isles of Scilly across the August Bank Holiday weekend. Subject to a final site visit taking place in May, they will perform a 20-minute team display over the islands on the afternoon of Monday 29th August as a crescendo to the weekend which is set to be Scilly’s biggest event of the year.

The Islands’ Regatta is a new event for Scilly. It will be a four-day festival (26th – 29th August) incorporating a visit from the Royal Navy who is bringing a Type 23 Frigate to the islands for the weekend, a Parade of Sail as the Scillonian III departs on the Monday, the Redwings Championship and an Around Island Race. Classic boats will be visiting, including the stunning “Turn to Starboard” boat, ‘Spirit of Falmouth’* which visitors can go aboard and have a look around.

On the first evening there will be a welcome party for all Regatta participants who have sailed across to Scilly. St. Mary’s Quay will be buzzing with life all weekend with street entertainment and nautical themed demonstrations plus live music with local and visiting musicians on Holgate’s Green. The much-loved RNLI Water Carnival will be back on the Sunday, with favourites such as a slippery pole and ‘Dunk the Hunk’. Throughout the weekend, there will be a new Maritime Exhibition and maritime-themed walks on offer, too.

“We are very excited about the inaugural Islands’ Regatta event and, of course, securing the Red Arrows is a real coup for the islands and a first for the Isles of Scilly,” says Scilly Events Manager at the Islands’ Partnership, Zoe Parry. “We are honoured that they have agreed to come to Scilly and are also very grateful for the support of the Duchy of Cornwall, the Council of the Isles of Scilly’s Air Traffic Control team and the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group who have been working with us to make it possible.”

The final details for the Red Arrows display, including the exact time it will take place and recommended viewing locations, will be revealed following the team’s site visit to Scilly in May when they will be undertaking a full safety inspection on the ground and from the air. “This is standard procedure for new venues, as safety for both the display team and for the spectators is paramount,” says Zoe.

The Islands’ Regatta is one of a series of new events on the islands for 2016, thanks to funding from the Coastal Communities Fund. Other events include the Isles of Scilly Festival throughout May, the ÖTILLÖ Swimrun World Championship UK Qualifier on 18th June and the Taste of Scilly food and drink festival running throughout September.”

To find out more, including details on how to register for those who wish to sail across to Scilly in a classic boat for the event, go to visitislesofscilly.com/islandsregatta

Photo credit: David Allen

The Islands’ Partnership, the non-profit-making Destination Management Organisation and business lead for the Isles of Scilly, has appointed James Berresford as its new independent non-Executive Chairman.

The former VisitEngland Chief Executive will take the role for an initial three year term and will work alongside the Islands’ Partnership Board and Executive team in driving forward the continued growth of Scilly’s tourism industry and the wider economic prosperity of the islands.

James brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Islands’ Partnership having with a long and successful career in tourism, most notably the last six years as Chief Executive of the National Tourist Board, VisitEngland. Prior to that, he was Director of Tourism for eight years at the North West Development Agency. His experience extends from leading the development and delivery of the first ever national tourism strategy for England and the establishment of a new national tourism body, to delivering major cultural programmes and multi-million business development and marketing initiatives.

“I am delighted to be given this opportunity to join the Islands’ Partnership Board as non-Executive Chair,” says James. “The Isles of Scilly is a unique and truly distinctive destination. I’m looking forward to sharing my experience and enthusiasm to help steer the continued development of a sustainable visitor economy and to support island businesses to grow and prosper. In the last three years, the Islands’ Partnership has done a terrific job in turning around the tourism economy and driving up visitor numbers after years of decline, but tourism is a fast-paced, ever-changing industry. I’m committed to ensuring the Partnership and the islands rise to these challenges.”

“We are extremely pleased to welcome James to the Islands’ Partnership Board of Directors,” says Robert Francis, Islands’ Partnership Vice Chair. “Indeed we are honoured that so soon after stepping down as VisitEngland’s Chief Executive, he has decided to impart to us here on Scilly his immense passion for and expertise in tourism. I am sure his strong, impartial leadership will be invaluable in enabling us to build a confident and secure long-term future for Scilly’s visitor economy.”

Mark Duddridge, Chair of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership added: “This is fantastic news for the Islands’ Partnership and for Scilly at what is a really exciting time for the region. I look forward to working with James and the Islands’ Partnership over the next three years to help support business and grow the islands’ economy.”

Residents and businesses across Scilly, especially those who count on the tourism economy, are being encouraged to “pick up a bag and make a difference” during the third Great Scilly Spring Clean taking place tomorrow, Saturday 5th March and Sunday 6th March.

Beaches across our five inhabited islands are to be cleared of winter debris in readiness for the new season. This year is extra special as Scilly’s Spring Clean has been timed to coincide with the UK’s “Clean for the Queen” campaign, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, ahead of Her Majesty’s 90th birthday celebrations.

“The Great Scilly Spring Clean began in 2014 as a joint campaign by Scilly’s major stakeholders in response to the need to clean up the islands following the severe winter storms of 2013/2014. This winter has been no less challenging to our precious environment,” says David Jackson, Executive Director, Islands’ Partnership which is coordinating the effort together with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust. “Alongside our usual partners – Isles of Scilly Travel, The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, Council of the Isles of Scilly, Duchy of Cornwall and Tresco Island – we are delighted that the Scilly’s Women’s Institute is also getting involved.”

Each organisation is taking responsibility to lead a beach clean on at least one beach on St. Mary’s, with the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust taking on the lion’s share of responsibilities. On the off islands, beach cleans are being coordinated by willing individuals – Anna Cawthray on St. Martins, Amanda Pender on Bryher, and Emma Eberlein on St. Agnes, whilst on Tresco, Dean Whillis is organising an island-wide tidy up.

“We’re also delighted that local businesses are supporting the clean by providing warming drinks and snacks for the volunteers. They include The Dairy Café, Old Town Café, The Wheelhouse, Sevenstones Inn, Fraggle Rock, the New Inn and Coastguard’s Café,” David adds.

“The Great Scilly Spring Clean is all about making sure that our beautiful islands live up to visitors’ expectations as an outstanding destination,” adds Sarah Mason, Chief Executive IOS Wildlife Trust. “Every inch of our islands is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and there is no better way than for the whole community to pull together to ensure our beaches are pristine for the start of the season, especially in this significant year which celebrates a very special birthday.”

Everyone wishing to take part is advised to wear sturdy shoes or wellies. They may also wish to bring gloves as these are not provided, although litter pickers will be on hand and rubbish bags will be provided.