It would be the annual Whitby Regatta, held in August, and still held annually. When they're available the Red Arrows still come, they are booked for this year. The fireworks still happen. When you saw them they were fired from the Haggerlyth, the cliff under the church. The highlight was the battleships, fondly remembered by many of a certain age in Whitby. These days the fireworks are fired from the east pier, but no set piece battles.

@@markedwards5114 Just received your reply. It was very helpful and I am so glad to read the details you provided! Especially about the battle and the cliff. I sat on the top and sloping edge of said cliff and I ventured down and out a bit and someone (a strong seeming lady who calmly acted to save me) lifted me back to safety just as I realised I was in danger of falling a long way to what appeared to be a giant multi-paned glass roof. I shall of course Google the cluff you mention with interest, but if I may trouble you again: what was the glass topped building far below and are there now safety railings? Thank you. Also: would you know of or could you recommend any places on or offline that I could see photos of the event you described - August 1973 I suspect it was, It would be so a as amazing if my dear father was captured on film or all of us, as we had no photos of this holiday. Whitby is an amazing place. We stayed at a huge stone mansion on quite a busy street which apparently had tunnels to the sea from its basement!

@@gmdw123 Depending where exactly you were I think the glass roofed building you mention was either the old Floral Pavilion, since completely rebuilt with proper roof, or one of the amusement arcades which I think had glass at that time. The battleships were done for quite a few years I think as a set-piece (we only moved to Whtiby in 71), but sadly the only fireworks pictures that come up are mostly recent ones. There is a film on KZfaq about regatta, but it doesn't show the fireworks, there may be others I haven't found. WHITBY REGATTA ARCHIVE EDITION VOLUME 1 1973-2002.

@@markedwards5114 yes I remember my father specially mentioned the pirate type battle and fireworks. As for where I (we) were sitting the battle was slightly to the left on the expanse of water so I shall do further research using the useful data a you’ve given me. Once again many thanks for getting back to me and your interesting and accurate reply. Can’t wait to find out more about the cliff and layout of the area. I wonder why the sea battle was discontinued? And I did not mention but I got stung by a Whitby jellyfish and ended up being monitored in a nearby hospital from where I watched saw the Red Arrows display. They are quite something the Whitby jellyfish! So interesting to hear you moved to Whitby in 1971. Thank you again for your help in my ‘nostalgia-sleuthing’. Very very much appreciated.

If you use Facebook there is a very good group called Old Whitby which is run by Liz Allan. I suggest you join and ask your question there. If you don't use Facebook let me know and I will ask the question for you.