POOLE’S waterfront was awash with villainous pirates sporting pistols and sabres but peace has broken out with its buccaneering past.

Special guest at the third Harry Paye Charity Fun Day was the mayor of Finisterre, with a message of forgiveness for past events.

Jose Manuel Traba Fernandez was invited over from Spain by Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of Poole Tourism to take part in the festivities that marked the exploits of Poole’s most infamous pirate, “Arripay”.

Around 602 years ago, he and his piratical crew seized 120 French and Spanish ships after they had pillaged and burnt his town two years earlier.

Last year Poole’s present day pirates took back a cross as recompense and the mayor arrived with head of tourism Santiago Insua and reporter Santiago Garrido from La Voz de Galicia.

“They have come over here to extend the hand of friendship and to say the deeds of Harry Paye have been atoned for,” said Graham Richardson, Poole’s tourism manager.

Young pirates from Old Town First School were among those parading through the streets and taking part in a whole range of events throughout the day.

It was combined with the 10th Poole Afloat festival and there was plenty of interest shown in the range of craft and free Try A Boat sessions.

Pirate parades, the annual Fishing Regatta, water sports and boat races, Royal Marines showing off their expertise, a tug o’ war competition and much more provided fun on and off the water.

And the dastardly deeds and merry-making was all to raise as much money as possible for local charities, including the Poole Hospital Wish List.

Jim Kellaway, an organiser, said: “It was a lovely day. The weather was good. There were lots of children.

“The mayor of Finisterre and his party really enjoyed it. It was their first visit to Poole.”