It is well known that Dame Helen Mirren lived her early years with her family in Leigh-on-Sea, where they were involved in the local community, and are still fondly remembered by Leigh people.
Welcome to the Spring Newsletter
This newsletter contains of our new patron, Endeavour's ongoing maintenance and return to the water, the sad loss of former chair and trustee Mike King and news of upcoming events.
Please drop us a line if you have any comments, or visit us on our Facebook page.
Revision of Website Articles
We have undertaken some minor editing of articles on the website to remove contact details of people that have died or are no longer with the Trust, and where the events have long since taken place and it is no longer appropriate for them to remain online.
Endeavour Trust Summer Reception
We’re so very pleased to announce that we are able to hold our “Endeavour Summer Reception” this year!
The venue will be at Osborne’s, Billet Wharf from 7 pm (under the covers) on the evening of Wednesday June 8th.
An Osborne’s seafood platter, followed by strawberries and ice cream is included in the ticket price – an alternative meal can be arranged if agreed beforehand.
The Hoy Shanty Crew will be delighting us during the evening, and there will be the usual Endeavour raffle to build up funds! (…offers of raffle prizes gratefully received…)
Entry is strictly by pre-booked ticket, – and we are restricted to a maximum of 60 people – so please get in quickly!
Endeavour will be on her mooring, and we hope to see you there!
Contacts for ticket info:
Rob - 07854 610777
Cameron - 07711 847898
Chris - 07909 189746
Click links to email.
Tickets are £20 each. Details on how to pay available on request.
Downloadable flyer here
Spring Maintenance
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| Andrew Millham learns how to paint his overalls with direction from Chris Burls |
Towards the end of March, Endeavour was brought out of her safe water berth in Leigh Marina, and made ready for this year’s maintenance. The covers came off and the framework was stored once again in Alan Palmer’s lovely container, and then it was simply a case of waiting for a good tide to bring her out of the water. April the first obliged, although while the tide was perfect, the snow wasn't really called for! It was only a light shower, but the joke was clearly on the volunteers!
Mike King RIP
The Trust is deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected death of Trustee and former Chairman, Mike King, on Monday 14th March.
An experienced and well-known sailor in his beautiful 1896 ketch, Hypathia, Mike was a mainstay of the Trust since it formed in 2001 and we are extremely grateful for all his hard work and companionship over the years. He was there at the beginning when Endeavour was first found in a parlous condition in Rochester. He recalled "When Mike Guy from the Leigh Times, Peter Wexham, a previous owner, the late John Porter and I went to Kent and saw Endeavour, it was obvious that we couldn't just leave her to rot."
Mike was one of the key people in the early days of the Trust, instrumental - with others - for the fundraising efforts, accessing Heritage Lottery money and putting together the business plans for other major sponsors. He was heavily involved in the restoration project sourcing Brian Kennell and Shaun White of Brian Kennell Boatbuilders, whom we use to this day. Mike always provided wise counsel on the committee and for many years was responsible for Endeavour's; annual maintenance programme.
David Norman MBE, our current chairman, had this to say about Mike:
"I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mike King, who was very much the prime mover of the Endeavour restoration from its inception. I have had the privilege of working with Mike for the last 20 years and greatly admired his immense knowledge from the time we worked together on the Lottery bid which was crucial in financing our project.A private funeral will be held for Mike, after which he will be laid to rest next to the plot of his wife, Pat. The Trust understands Mike left plans for a memorial to take place in the summer.
"I always looked to him for advice as Chairman - most recently as a week before he died. He was helpful and supportive and sharp as ever.
"I had hoped that we would have had him around for a long time to come. Mike is simply irreplaceable and will be sorely missed by the people of Leigh whom he served so well in so many different capacities over a long period of time.
"We mourn his passing."
Thank you, Mike, for everything you did for Endeavour and for your constant friendship. We will miss you enormously.
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| Mike King at Endeavour’s re-launch ceremony in 2005 |
Endeavour on TV
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| Endeavour, vets and film crew at Penton Lock last summer |
Channel 5 is currently airing a three-part series about Dunkirk on Saturdays at 21:30, and Endeavour will feature in the as-yet unbroadcast episodes.
Dunkirk: Mission Impossible is presented by former Marine JJ Chalmers with Raksha Dave. The filming took place last year at Penton Lock during the Association of Dunkirk Little Ship's annual veteran's cruise. We should point out that as the film crew were filming from Endeavour's deck, she may not feature as often as other boats at Penton, but she *will* appear in the second and third episodes.
Episode 1 is available until 05/12/22 from here: https://www.channel5.com/.../dunkirk.../season-1/episode-1
All Snuggled up for the Winter
A brilliant team effort led by Allan Barttram and Chris Burls with members Henry Diggines, Andy Lewis, Sam Rakusen and Phil Hewer erected her framework and covers yesterday - thank you to them all for their time and effort!
Dame Helen Mirren – Patron of Leigh-on-Sea Endeavour Trust
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| Dame Helen Mirren, Patron, Endeavour Trust. Photograph: Giles Keyte |
It is well known that Dame Helen Mirren lived her early years with her family in Leigh-on-Sea where they were involved in the local community, and people remember them fondly.
In September, the Chair of the Leigh-on-Sea Endeavour Trust, Michael King, contacted Dame Helen with details of Endeavour and the role the boat played in Operation Dynamo in Dunkirk in 1940. He explained how Endeavour has been restored and is now central to many activities.
He invited Dame Helen to lend her name to our Trust, as Patron, and she enthusiastically agreed, so we are delighted to be able to announce Dame Helen Mirren becomes the first Patron of the Leigh-on-Sea Endeavour Trust!
Welcome to the Autumn Newsletter
More happily, we report back on Endeavour's participation in the Classic Boat Festival at St Kats, and the ADLS Veterans' Cruise, and the HMS Leigh event at Southend Pier.
Please drop us a line if you have any comments, or visit us on our Facebook page.
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