The poor weather failed to dampen spirits on New Year’s Eve and did not deter visitors coming for the New Year weekend.

On New Year’s eve, the streets of Dartmouth saw many in fancy dress despite the intermittent wind and rain, which kept some revellers inside. Most of the pubs and restaurants, reported similar numbers to last year with sell-outs at The Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth Yacht Club and Dart Marina.

The police reported no trouble, and all the publicans and restaurateurs said the same. Sgt Iain Simons said: “It was a very peaceful evening for us on New Year’s Eve. Everyone was in good spirits and there no incidents. We managed to see in the New year with everyone else watching the fireworks being set off from the Royal Castle.”

The Dart Marina Hotel was full for the New Year, as it has been for at least the last ten years. A spokesman for the hotel said: “We managed to get Sax Appeal for their last ever performance. That was a great success. The residents and non-residents had a six-course, black-tie dinner and, at midnight, some of our staff joined the festivities.”

In the early evening, Nigel Way appeared on BBC news extolling the virtues of the town on New Year’s eve. His hotel, the Royal Castle, was full for the evening, as indeed were the majority of the pubs in Dartmouth. He said: “We sold out on the night. Although the streets appeared quiet, we had a high turnout of people on the Boat Float for our fireworks. Unfortunately, only about half of them ignited due to the damp conditions.”

Sally Hibbert, bar maid at the Dolphin said: “We were pretty packed-out. Not everyone was in fancy dress. It was about half and half. We had a new local DJ, Lee Humphries, who went down well. It was quieter that last year but like then, there was absolutely no trouble.”

Justin Moyes barman of the Crab and Bucket said: “We had a great night considering the weather. Quite a few of our local customers dressed up and they were joined by a number of visitors, all in good spirits. It was better for us than last year. I think the weather may have persuaded customers not to leave the pub.”

Dartmouth Arms near Bayards Cove, was really busy. Andy Birrs, the landlord, said: “There was a great atmosphere in the pub. It was a good end to the year. No trouble.”

Charles Sutherland, whose wife Pam, coordinated a dinner and dance for 33 local residents at Community Cafe in the Old Market said: “New Year’s eve was fantastic. The caters did a good job; and we had masses of help from both husbands and wives, who were attending. Overall it was a great success. We’d do it again.”

At the Dartmouth Yacht Club, the gun room was filled with 40 black-tie clad men and elegantly dressed women who were entertained by Simon Gee, a solo vocalist. ‘Mac’, Stephen John McKenzie, DYC steward, said: “Front of house was quiet initially but then local people and visitors flooded the bar, many in fancy dress. Some cracking people came in, which meant this was an especially good evening.

“I was worried when the members in formal dress began a conga from the gun room through a packed bar, but everyone took it in good stead.”