A WEALTH management company in Cornwall is set to become the headline sponsor for one of Falmouth biggest events of the year.

Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management (AFWM), an ethical south west based financial management company is set to be the headline sponsor in 2023 for the largest classic sailing event in the southwest and one of the largest in the UK - the Falmouth Classics.

AFWM became a major sponsor in 2021 becoming the headline sponsor for the first time in 2022.

John Waldie, Managing Director of Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management said: "We are very pleased to be continuing our headline sponsorship of Falmouth Classics for the second year running.

"Supporting events in our local area is very important to us, and we are proud to be part of an event that is such a celebration of tradition and teamwork."

Keith Tullett, Chairman of Falmouth Classics Association said: "The Association very much enjoyed the support of AFWM as the headline sponsor in 2022 and we are delighted that this leading financial management company in the southwest will once again be working with us to put on yet another splendid event for classic craft both from the southwest and well beyond.

"The business joins us in our objective to encourage the ownership, maintenance and sailing of classic craft."

Falmouth Classics now in its 36th year began in 1987 following the introduction of a classic regatta in the Falmouth’s twin town Douarnenez, in Brittany.

Since it moved from August to coincide with the Falmouth International Shanty Festival in 2013, the event has been attracting upwards of 200 classic sailing vessels and motor boats each year.

Well over 50% of the entries are visitors to the historic port of Falmouth and the idyllic sailing area provided by the Carrick Roads and Falmouth Bay. 

Many of the participating vessel will have been built before 1950.

The oldest entry in 2022 was an East Coast smack dating from 1847.

The Classic fleet will arrive in the port on the 15th June 2023 and will include ex-fishing vessels with gaff and lug rigs, pilot cutters, vessels built for cruising and racing with gaff or Bermudan rigs, recreations of vessels that plied the Cornish coastline, open sailing boats and for the first time a fleet of steamboats including the National Maritime Museum’s recently rebuilt steamboat Emma.

The event often attracts a tall ship or two.

An action-packed three days will follow the fleet’s arrival with two days of competitive and enjoyable racing, a parade for the larger craft in the Carrick Roads, and a parade for small open boats in the inner harbour.

There will be an all-comers rowing and sculling competition, opportunities for the public to get up close to the fleet moored alongside in Falmouth Haven and a maritime village on the historic Custom House Quay.

Receptions will be held for crews and there will be a classics supper at the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club.