DI Gene Hunt, from the television series Life on Mars, would no doubt have been impressed by the Thundercats on their recent visit to Scarborough.
But what might have impressed in the 1970s, before we really began to think about the environmental impact of our activities, is not quite so impressive 30 years later.
Last year I asked the organisers of the Thundercats if they would like to offs
et their carbon dioxide emissions through Scarborough Fair Carbon (www.faircarbon.com)
A back-of-the-envelope calculation suggested that these would come to about 10 tonnes for the inflatable powerboats, with about another tonne for the power boat that broke the Scarborough-Whitby record. They chose not to, citing the expense (about £300), but did offer to let me join in their publicity.
Since this would have given them credibility for doing something that they weren't actually prepared to do I declined their offer.
South Bay is often graced by sailing boats and surfers. Both activities demonstrate physical skill and are accessible to a far wider section of the population than powerboat racing.
In addition they both preserve the tranquillity of the bay and neither produces significant emissions of greenhouse gases. They're both great examples of sustainable tourism.
Andy Sharp
secretary
Scarborough Fair Carbon
Alexandra Park, Scarborough
