A Mixed Summer

All Lit Up - photo: Andrew Millham

As reported in the last newsletter, the Trust’s management committee has directed that Endeavour remain in Leigh waters to raise the profile of the boat locally and offer members the chance of a trip out on the water. Despite publishing possible trip days on the website, sadly only a few have availed themselves of the opportunity.

The Nore Race organised by Benfleet Yacht Club has been an annual event, which has been a highlight of the local racing season since the early 1920s and has been raced every peacetime year since.

What an opportunity, we thought, to show the Endeavour flag, so we entered her in this year’s race. Sadly we learned at the last minute that we were not insured to race and so were forced to withdraw.

However, having planned the day we went out for a sail with member, and Leigh Sailing Club Commodore, Robin Tothill aboard. Robin was to have been our mentor, had we raced. It was a great day, only slightly marred by a halyard failure, which was quickly remedied.

Our normal members trips run from about an hour before HW along the foreshore to the base of the pier then along its West side to the pierhead, showing the boat off to walkers. Then down to the Mulberry harbour wreckage, before heading back upriver to arrive back in Leigh about an hour after HW. This allows the crew time to get moored again with sufficient water.

Other trips have included the scattering of the ashes of one of our long standing members, who had ‘crossed the bar’.  Such trips are quite moving for Endeavour’s crew and hopefully help bring the family of the deceased closure.

Old Leigh Fair

A few years ago, the Old Leigh Regatta, which had been held on the first decent weekend high water each September for as long as many of us can remember, looked as if it was going to become history.

Step forward the good old dependable Leigh–on-Sea Lions Club, who stepped up  and continued the tradition on the appropriate Sunday.

Much had to change. The greasy pole failed the health and safety test (boo!), road closures became untenable and water activities were drastically curtailed. Football on the mud became forgotten. Over recent years, COVID-19 and the death of her Majesty the Queen again meant that the Regatta did not take place as expected.

This year, the Leigh Lions’ busy schedule dictated that the event would take place on 10th September. Sadly, the tide peaked at 10am at nearly 2 metres lower than the optimum.

Not daunted, the name was changed to Old Leigh Fair and the festivities continued in and around the Strand. The decision was taken to leave Endeavour on her mooring dressed (right) and set up our gazebo as close to her as possible. This too posed a problem as the walkway adjacent to the mooring would have been completely blocked.

An enquiry to the 4th/6th Leigh Scouts and our problem was solved! We were given permission to set up the gazebo in the Coal Hole’s southern gateway.  

New committee member Andrew Millham and Chris, ably assisted by Linda Marshall, staffed the stall and spoke with a steady stream of interested visitors, some of whom joined the Trust there and then—thank you!

We sold some of our Endeavour merchandise and a steady stream of donations was received, but the main aim of the exercise was simply for us to be noticed by the visitors to promote the work of the Trust. On such a lovely day, this aim was certainly achieved.

The next evening Andrew found Endeavour had become part of the Leigh illuminations!

Leigh Shanty Festival

Endeavour was once again on parade for the Leigh Shanty Festival over the weekend 20th—21st May.

We had to attend, of course, because our faithful friends, the Leigh-on-Sea Lions Club with the Hoy At Anchor Folk Club, were running it to benefit both the RNLI and the Endeavour Trust!  

Endeavour Summer Social

On Thursday 8th June, our good friends at Osborne Bros hosted our Summer Social on Billet Wharf with entertainment from the Hoy Shanty Crew.  

The Summer Social is an opportunity for our members to get together to enjoy local seafood and each other’s company with Endeavour sitting dressed overall on her mooring nearby.