Candlelit dinner with chamber

Business leaders are planning a candlelit dinner in place of the town’s traditional street party as part of the Sidmouth Regatta celebrations. Chamber of commerce president Richard Eley said there is no standout event in the calendar like the Queen’s diamond jubilee in 2012, so Sunday, August 27, is a fitting provisional date.

He envisages 500 people dining together in and around Market Place, with the aroma of scented candles in the air.

The regatta takes place on August 26 and 27 – and will be opened on Friday, August 25, with displays by the Red Arrows and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight aircraft.