Regional Comet Class Yacht Racing Association president, Gladwin Lambert, was among those expressing joy yesterday after Government announced its intention to observe the National Heroes' Day Holiday in June rather than in October as originally planned.

The decision means that one of the Island's most revered sailing spectacles – the Annual Long Distance Comet Race – will be staged during the June 15 holiday.

"It's going to be a pleasure and a privilege to honour our heroes and heroes to be on June 15 and I believe the Comet class feel the same way. I just can't tell you how overjoyed I am to hear news like this," Lambert told The Royal Gazette.

"I am so overjoyed because the entire Comet fleet was upset when Government changed the holiday which of course coincided with the Long Distance Race."

Lambert's late father, Canute, won the inaugural Long Distance Race in 1945 – 32 years before his son captured the first of two Edward Cross Cups.

June 15 has also been set aside as the departure date for the Tall Ships who are taking part in the Island's 400th anniversary celebrations.

"We do intend to move the Long Distance Race to June 15," Lambert confirmed. "But first we will have to make a few adjustments and also find out what time the Tall Ships are going to parade from Hamilton to St.David's because traditionally our race starts at 11 a.m.

"We are hopeful it can still start at 11 a.m.. But if we have to change the start time then it should not be a problem as we are pretty flexible."

Government came under fierce criticism from various sectors of the community last year for eliminating the traditional June Queen's Birthday Holiday in favour of a National Heroes' Day Holiday in October, with outspoken Comet sailor Rudy Bailey publicy voicing outrage over the decision.

"Personally, I put this regatta right up there with Cup Match," the ten-time Long Distance champion said. "Most sailors are very upset over this and if we had any say in the matter we would still have the Queen's Birthday Holiday as it's always been.

"But what can we do . . . it's Ewart's (Premier Ewart Brown) world. We are just here to serve Ewart who is going to do whatever he wants."

Yesterday, Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation, Dale Butler, admitted Government were forced to bow down to "strong public sentiment" over the entire National Heroes' Day affair.

"In our quest towards establishing our national identity there will be teething problems. Since the establishment of National Heroes' Day, there has been strong public sentiment to celebrate that holiday in June rather than October," he said.

"In an effort to choose our own holiday, the Government established the second Monday in October as National Heroes' Day. This has not gone done well and we have had feedback from all quarters of our society, and as representatives we have been bombarded to reconsider."

It has been claimed that as many as 15,000 members of the public signed a petition against Government's decision to take away the popular June Queen's Birthday Holiday.

It is also understood West End Sail Boat Club (WESBC) members were among those who strongly voiced their disapproval over the matter at a March meeting held at Sandys Middle School following private talks with Government officials.

Butler added: "To bring about change in such short order would be welcomed, I believe, by all quarters and as the Minister responsible for that change in public holidays, some might say we are playing ping pong. But as a Government who listens and as a leader we have to reconsider.

"I, as the Minister, apologise for the date which has proved to be unpopular. The Government has heard all of the feedback and has now reconsidered."

Charles Gibson, WESBC commodore, thanked all those who helped bring about Government's sudden and unexpected about turn.

"I am just pleased that things are back the way they were. Sometimes it takes something like this for people to recognise the significance of what the holiday is really all about," he said.

"It's a holiday, not just for sailors, but for the public at large and in my opinion everyone is a hero. I just want to thank everyone who helped get the holiday back to where it belongs.

"I have remained optimistic throughout this entire ordeal and always felt things will work out in the end. Our club attended church last Sunday and I guess you can say prayers were answered."