Welcome to the Spring 2026 Newsletter

Welcome to the Spring 2026 Newsletter in Endeavour's centenary year!

In this issue, we present Robin Tothill's account of the 2025 return to Dunkirk. We update you about the mast, our mooring and the winter maintenance, and our 2026 sailing schedule is online. We also have a couple of personnel changes; a new patron and a new membership secretary.

We announce three events - the annual summer social at Osborne's and a Centenary Dinner in November, and the Leigh At War memorial service at St Clements.

Please drop us a line if you have any comments, or post a message on our Facebook page. 

Dunkirk Return 2025 Report

With apologies for the delay in publishing a report, we are delighted to present Robin Tothill’s account of the 2025 Dunkirk return, courtesy of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships. 

Leigh on Sea to Ramsgate
Monday 19th May, it was a 5.00am departure from Leigh-on-Sea, the weather was overcast, with a wind easterly F2. Endeavour LO4l, slipped her lines from Bell Wharf taking the ebb tide down the Thames Estuary, destination Ramsgate. Some Endeavour background information for you. She is a cockle bawley with a length of 35' and more importantly a draft of just 3'6" and built by Cole and Wiggins in 1926, so very shortly to become a centenarian. 

Mast Replacement, Maintenance, & Mooring

The mast replacement saga was finally completed in November when a pristine, laminated, exact replacement was delivered and placed on board. The main reason choosing this type was cost. 

Our good friends, Marmus, a local boat survey business, came to our aid by first making precise measurements of the old mast and transmitting them to the manufacturers who, once fabricated and preserved, delivered the mast to Old Leigh. As Marmus had commissioned the replacement, they were presented with the account and, most generously, cleared it at no cost to the Trust! 

A Change of Patron

Dame Helen Mirren has been the patron of the Leigh-on-Sea Endeavour Trust since then Chair Mike King invited her to take up the role in 2021.

Summer Social at Osborne's

The Hoy Shanty Men Entertain in 2025

The ever-popular Endeavour Summer Social for 2026 has been announced! It will take place at Osborne Bros on Billet Wharf at 7 for 7:30pm on Friday, 26th June, with tickets priced at £25 per person.

This event is open to all members and friends and is always an enjoyable evening! 

Centenary Dinner Announced

2026 marks Endeavour's centenary year. 

Endeavour holds a special place in our hearts for what she represents; the men that worked her and boats like her in and around the Thames estuary, the extraordinary heroism and sacrifices of the Leigh Dunkirk crews and the inspiring story of our community coming together to ensure her restoration.

2026 Sailing Schedule Online

The 2026 Schedule is now online and attached for those receiving the newsletter by email. 

Please do get in touch and ask if you can take a trip—we want Endeavour to be used by the community!

 

Leigh at War Memorial Service at St Clement's

The 2026 service to mark “Leigh at War” will be in St. Clement’s churchyard on Mon, 1st June at noon. 

It marks 86 years since that miraculous moment when so many were saved from the beaches of Dunkirk, assisted by the brave of the crews of the Navy and the ‘little ships’. The sad loss of three of our local fishermen, Frank & Harry Osborne and Harry Noakes, plus naval rating Harold Porter on board Renown is testament to this. 

In the event of poor weather, the event will move inside the church.

 

AGM 2025

The 2025 Annual General Meeting of the Leigh-on-Sea Endeavour Trust will be held at the Leigh Community Centre 71-73, Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea, SS9 1SP (map) at 7pm on Thursday 13^th November.

All members are welcome to attend.

The agenda is linked below.

Agenda 

Minutes 

Welcome to the Autumn 2025 Newsletter!

Welcome to the Autumn 2025 Newsletter!

In this issue, we bring you news of an incident during the Nore Race that has caused some damage to the boat. We also report on the very enjoyable Summer Reception at Osborne Bros. 

We're delighted to bring you a story about Leigh Fisherman Ted Potter, who built the most delightful models of Endeavour just before the millennium. 

Please drop us a line if you have any comments, or post a message on our Facebook page.