Warm sunshine, light winds and the beautiful Lake District scenery was the setting for the start of the nine-day Coniston Water Festival co-ordinated by Coniston Sailing Club in 1998.

Prizewinners at Coniston Water Festival in 1998

Prizewinners at Coniston Water Festival in 1998

The band of Barrow Sea Cadets opened the festival, first playing on Coniston village green and then with a performance at the opening ceremony at Coniston Old Hall for invited guests and representatives of the organisations participating in the festival.

After the opening ceremony, guests and competitors watched a sail past by Steam Yacht Gondola get the sailing side of the festival well and truly launched.

Around 30 high-performance racing dinghies entered the first two of the five races for the Coniston Open Dinghy regatta trophy.

A group of youngsters who finished the learn to sail course at Coniston Water Festival in 1998

A group of youngsters who finished the learn to sail course at Coniston Water Festival in 1998

Then in the evening it was back to social activities with a Happy Half Hour in the sailing club bar and a festival night for competitors and their guests with music by John Robinson.

Ian Stancliffe, Coniston Sailing Club and festival secretary, was pleased with the support on the opening day and said: “If the weather holds and we keep the support given to us on this opening day it looks like this year will be the biggest and best festival.”

The festival was designed to highlight the various waterborne activities available on Coniston Water.

For the racing fraternity the programme included the Burlington Slate Cruiser Regatta for sailing cruisers up to 26 feet and two multi-class dinghy regattas. There would also be midweek racing daily for both dinghies and cruisers.

A decorated boat at Coniston Water Festival in 1998

A decorated boat at Coniston Water Festival in 1998

It was expected that an entry of more than 100 boats would take to the water for the nationally renowned Crown Paints Regatta.

The week included two barbecues; a ‘Wild West Cruise’ on Steam Yacht Gondola; and the unique Coniston Boat Dressing, sponsored by Hartleys Brewery and featuring a pageant of decorated boats.

There would also be a series of ‘It’s a Knockout’-type inter-team sports in, on and beside the lake.

Other events would include skydiving by members of the North West Parachute Centre; ascents by hot air balloons; a char fishing contest and a ‘learn to sail’ course for local youngsters.

Steam Yacht Gondola at Coniston Water Festival in 1998

Steam Yacht Gondola at Coniston Water Festival in 1998