Ventnor mayor Cllr Debbie Robinson with some of the recycled bunting that is hanging in the streets. Picture by Peter Boam.
SPINNAKERS reclaimed from yachts that have sailed around the Island have been given a new lease of life as colourful bunting, now adorning the streets of Ventnor.
By hanging the recycled flags, the town has taken another step towards green town status.
Mayor Cllr Debbie Robinson collaborated with Peter Le Masurier, of Wightsails, a new Island business which turns old sails into awnings, bags, deckchairs and other innovative products.
Debbie had read on Twitter that Wightsails needed suggestions for recycling spinnakers.
She explained: "When Wightsails tweeted they needed ideas, I tweeted straight back, 'bunting’.
"As a result, the town has been decked out with colourful, weather-resistant strings of flags, ready for the carnival parades on Wednesday and tomorrow (Saturday).
"The town council hopes to work more closely with our carnival committee and buying this lovely new bunting for the town is one of the many ways we will be helping.
"Ventnor has recently applied for green town status and this is another feather in our eco cap. The new bunting looks great and is tough and environmentally sound.
"It looks great, with funky spinnaker colours and graphics used randomly to create a brilliant overall effect.
"As far as I know, Ventnor is the first town to sport bunting made from recycled sailcloth," said Debby, a member of the Island Waste Community Advisory Group.
"Discarded sailcloth is a problem in landfill, as it is weatherproof and long-lasting."
Peter, one of the founders of Wightsails, said: "It was a eureka moment when Debby suggested bunting, as I knew spinnakers could look bright and just a little different from standard bunting.
"We were thrilled to be able to make a product for Ventnor — and for the Island’s benefit as a whole. It is wonderful to see sails that have no doubt sailed around the Island now decorating the streets of Ventnor.
"Our beautiful products are designed by Marcia Young, who, with the rest of the Wightsails team, deserves credit for turning this around so quickly, cutting and sewing a large number of triangles," said Peter.