Nautical heritage sparks town's Olympic revival

By Avril Ormsby

WEYMOUTH (Reuters) - Once host to the Royal Navy and George III's summer dips, Weymouth is proud of its nautical heritage and glad of the chance to rejuvenate it with the staging of the 2012 Olympic regatta.

When the Royal Navy pulled out of neighbouring Portland in the 1990s it followed a trend already set by the departure of the commercial fleet from Weymouth.

But the decision to host the Olympic and Paralympic sailing events in Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour in Dorset has sparked a sense of maritime regeneration.

"It will blend and work well together -- the past and the future," said Peter Tambling, ex-harbour master at Weymouth.

The main sailing venue will be centred around the national sailing academy at the old Royal Navy base, HMS Osprey on Portland.

The Games are expected to raise the area's profile and turn it into a maritime centre to rival other sailing hubs along the South coast, including Poole and the Solent.

A 560-berth marina is planned at Osprey Quay and another smaller one in Weymouth, bringing the total to four.

"This is a most wonderful part of the world to sail," said Reg Paveley, an 81-year-old who lives on Portland and still sails and runs a shop.