Can You Help Us, Please?

Dear member of the Leigh-on-Sea Endeavour Trust,

You will probably have seen our stall at events such as the Leigh Maritime Festival and Leigh Regatta. We now need somewhere to store the stall, gazebo and sale items - mugs, clothing, tea towels, cards etc. Until now a member has kindly provided some space in his garage but as he is preparing to move away from Leigh we need to find a new home for these items. Part of a garage would be ideal, or anywhere it could be stored that is secure and weatherproof.

Can you help us, please? If so, please email Peter Dolby.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Bailey
Committee Chairman
 

Welcome to the Autumn Newsletter

This edition covers a trip out to Radio Caroline, the veteren's cruise to Hampton Court, news of some new equipment to enhance our public presence, a report on our appearance on Countryfile, an award for Peter Dolby, and some winter maintenance news.We hope you enjoy this newsletter!

Oh, and you may have noticed we've updated the website a little. We hope you like it - do let us know!Please drop us a line if you have any comments, or visit us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EndeavourTrustLeigh/

All Aboard a Pirate Ship! - Fraser Marshall

The Ross Revenge, home to Radio Caroline since 1983

I've been responsible for maintaining the Trust's website since 2010, but although I'd been on board Endeavour while she's moored up at Leigh, I'd never had the privilege of enjoying a trip until this summer. A grey August day saw my wife, Kate, and I rendezvous with my father and our daughters, Olivia and Grace, who'd been staying for a week with their grandparents, at Bradwell Marina on the Blackwater.

Veteren's Cruise to Hampton Court - Paul Gilson

Our Dunkirk little ship, Endeavour, was again invited to take part in the Veteran's cruise this year. It took place over two days, with its base at Hampton Court. Twenty vessels took part, all members of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.

New Equipment for Events and Community Talks

We reported in the last newsletter that we had purchased various items of equipment and awaited delivery of a gazebo. 

Media Publicity

Alfred Smith being interviewed for Countryfile

We are delighted that our ‘little ship’ continues to feature in our local newspapers and are particularly indebted to the continued support we receive from the Leigh Times. 

Award for Peter Dolby

Peter receives his award from the Princess Royal

We are delighted to announce that Peter Dolby has been awarded through the National Historic Ships UK the 'Engaging with the Public Marsh Volunteer Award'.  It was presented at Trinity House London by HRH The Princess Royal. 

Officers and Committee

We are saddened to report that both Mike King and Michael Dolby announced at the recent AGM that they would be standing down from the committee. We are pleased that Mike will continue in his role as Chairman of Trustees. Mike has been an integral figure of the Trust since it was formed back in 2001 and we are extremely grateful for all his hard work. He was there at the beginning when Endeavour was first found in a parlous condition in Rochester and was instrumental, amongst others, for the successful restoration project. Mike has provided wise counsel on the committee and has overseen Endeavour’s continuing maintenance programme.

Calendars and Christmas Cards

Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

We are pleased to report that the calendars have been selling very well. We have more than covered the printing costs and have about 50 available for sale at £8.50.

Winter Work

Right, any volunteers to get that lot off?

Well there she was in Leigh Marina ready to be brought ashore in the travel hoist when... the call came from the BBC. “Can we use Endeavour in a special Dunkirk and Remembrance Day programme of Countryfile?”

2017 Christmas Card featuring Still from Dunkirk

Photo Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

Peter Dolby writes: "I'm delighted that we have secured a still image from Warner Bros. Pictures from the film Dunkirk.

"Using the photograph we have had A5 Christmas cards printed and are available for sale, with envelope, at 75p each.

"Please be aware that Warner Bros. Pictures have the copyright but have allowed us to use the image, solely for greetings cards and the appropriate credit is on the back page of the card.

"Please do not reproduce the photograph above.

"The cards are available from me:

[Contact details removed as no longer current - please refer to Shop and Membership tab above].

"I trust that you will like the card and look forward to hearing from you."

Annual General Meeting of the Endeavour Trust 2017

The sixteenth Annual General Meeting of the Endeavour Trust will be held on Friday 20th October, 2017 at 7.30 pm in Room 5, Leigh Community Centre, 71-73 Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 1SP.

Click here for the 2017 AGM papers (links to folder containing all the documents), or click on the individual item below. All items are in PDF format.

The documents are:

• AGM Agenda 2017
• AGM Minutes 2016
• Chairman's report 31-08-17
• Balance Sheet and Accounts 2017

Annual Dinner 24/11/17

The Endeavour Annual Dinner will takes place on Friday, 24th Nov at 19:30 at the Essex County Bowling Club, 21 Imperial Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 8NE.

Tickets are £20 per person.

Please see the flyer & booking form for more information.

Welcome to the Summer Newsletter

This edition covers the release of the Dunkirk movie, a distinguished guest at Endeavour's trip to meet the Windsor Knights, updates on our Summer Reception in the Old Town, the Trust's financial position and recent community and educational talks.

Sadly, we also have to announce the death of Bill Reynolds, our Honorary Vice President. Rest in Peace, sir.

We hope you enjoy this newsletter! Please drop us a line if you have any comments, or visit us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EndeavourTrustLeigh/

‘Dunkirk’ Released in Cinemas Across Britain and the USA

The Christopher Nolan directed film was released to rave reviews on July 21st. The film’s stars are: Fionn Whitehead, Aneurin Barnard, Harry Styles, Mark Rylance, Tom Glynn-Carney, Barry Keoghan, Tom Hardy, Cillian Murphy, Jack Lowden, James D’Arcy, Kenneth Branagh, and of course, the Endeavour. Opening weekend box office receipts exceeded £10m in Britain and $50m in the USA.

Events Calendar

Date and time (* approx. dates)	Event and Venue	Contact
Sunday, 27th August	Southend Barge Match	Mike King
Sunday, 10th September	Leigh Regatta, Leigh Old Town	Peter Dolby
Friday, 20th October, from 7.30pm	AGM, Leigh Community Centre, Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea	Peter Dolby
Friday, 24th November, 7.00pm for 7:30pm	Annual Dinner, Essex County Bowls Club, Imperial Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea	Finlay Marshall or Peter Dolby

Knights of Windsor - Finlay Marshall

Endeavour with other of the ADLS fleet alongside at Windsor

Endeavour's trip to Windsor had a bit of mystery about it; we knew we and other Dunkirk little ships were privileged to be allowed to moor alongside Windsor Great Park and we were to receive a 'visitor' but, who?

Bill Reynolds RIP

 A very moving ceremony took place on Wednesday 12th  of July to celebrate the life of our Honorary Vice President, William Charles Reynolds, who had died aged 97.

Annual Summer Reception

Over one hundred members and guests attended our fifth summer reception. This was held once again at Osborne Bros. on Billet Wharf in the Old Town.

Financial Position - Peter Dolby

Well, what a difference a year makes! Twelve months ago funds were at the lowest level I can recall. Now I am pleased to report funds at their highest level for a number of years. There are a number of reasons for this marked improvement, but the one single major contribution is from the Co-op Local Community Project.

Educational and Community Talks

Jamie Campbell of Friars Primary School proudly shows his sketch
with the Endeavour print as a back cloth in his class room

Peter has been busy giving talks to local community groups, schools and cub scout groups. Particularly pleasing was an invitation to  visit Friars Primary School in Shoeburyness. Talks to two different classes were well received with the children thoroughly enjoying the presentation. They followed Peter’s talk with a visit to the Old Town and spent a great deal of time making sketches of Endeavour.

Subscritptions Reminder

Dear Member

Forgive me mentioning that subscriptions are due on September 1st and, as agreed at the AGM, have been increased for the first time since the Trust was formed. If you pay by standing order you will need to inform your bank of the new amount, as follows: -

Individual: £17.50, Senior Citizen and Under 18: £12.50, Family: £25

If you would like to pay your subscription by standing order in future please contact me either by [Contact details removed as no longer current - please refer to Shop and Membership tab above].

Peter Dolby
Treasurer

Photo Gallery

 

Photograph taken by Anne Hinton van’t Hof at this year’s Summer Reception

This photograph of Endeavour, second from the left, was taken post war
and has been kindly provided by Stuart Emery from his vast collection
of photographs of Leigh boats.

The boat on the left of picture, LO504, is the fellow Dunkirk ’little ship’ Defender.

 

Co-op Local Community Fund Total Announced

In our last newsletter, we reported that the Co-op's support of the Endeavour Trust as one of two local groups they were supporting via their Co‑op Local Community Fund had raised £1,939.91. Every time a Co-op member chose Co-op branded products and services and used their membership card, 1% of their spend went to their chosen cause. We asked everyone to spread the word to Co-op members and see if we could push it over the line to £2,000.

When the fundraising period finished on the 9th of April, just a little more than two weeks after the newsletter went out, we learned we hadn't just made the two grand we were hoping for, but an astonishing £4,072.48! This added bonus was due to the 1% spend of Co-op members who had not selected a cause being divided out between the two local groups.

This funding is very welcome and will be used to help keep Endeavour in the best of condition and support our Community and Education Programme. It will be a vital source of funding for the additional repair work, other than normal maintenance, which we anticipate will be required later this year, and into next.

The Endeavour Trust is one of more than 4,000 causes across the UK who have benefitted from the Local Community Fund and are making a difference in their communities. We would like to pass on our sincerest thanks to all the Co-op members that chose Endeavour and to the Co-op themselves for selecting us as one of their beneficiaries. #TheCoopWay

Welcome to the Spring Newsletter!

This edition covers the second part of Paul Gilson's write up of Endeavour's recent trip to Ramsgate, some exciting news and pictures of the forthcoming Dunkirk movie, news of a trip out to Radio Caroline, a report on the annual dinner, an update about recent fundraising and some interesting news of a Dunkirk-themed mural to feature Endeavour and more!

We hope you enjoy! Please drop us a line if you have any comments, or visit us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EndeavourTrustLeigh/

Commemorative Cruise to Ramsgate and Beyond (Part II) - Paul Gilson

Back in the August newsletter I wrote about the travails of Endeavour and crew in Ramsgate and promised to continue the story of the voyage from Ramsgate to Dunkirk, with new gear box, and our participation in the filming of the shortly to be released Hollywood epic film Dunkirk. Well here goes...

On leaving Ramsgate I hoped all our troubles would be behind us.  The first few miles were a tonic, a cup of tea and a little sunshine. But some tonics have unpleasant side effects. We were happily steaming to France totally unaware of what was coming our way. Almost our sole topic of conversation was about how we would be used in the filming.

Hollywood Epic Film Dunkirk

Colin and Finlay

The epic feature film Dunkirk, directed by Christopher Nolan, will be released in cinemas throughout the UK on July 21st, 2017. The film stars such notables as Cillian Murphy, Mark Rylance, Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh, Fionn Whitehead and One Direction's Harry Styles. But the real stars are Endeavour and the other ADLS vessels that took part. All participants in the filming are bound by the usual confidentiality agreements, however, without revealing any confidentialities, Paul Gilson has provided the following:

All Aboard The Pirate Ship

How many members remember the 60s and the start of the Pirate Radio Stations anchored off the coast of Essex and playing live Pop Music?

We are arranging a trip for our members to visit possibly the most famous and last remaining stations, Radio Caroline . It will be a short sail from Bradwell Marina on the calm waters of the River Blackwater and then boarding of the pirate ship and a conducted tour of the Radio’s Studios, Record Library and bridge.

Events Calendar

Date and time (* approx. dates)	Event and Venue	Contact
Thursday 25th to Monday 29th May	A.D.L.S. Commemorative Cruise Chatham	Mike King
Early June	Radio Caroline	Andrew Wood
Sunday 25th to Monday 26th June	A.D.L.S. Veterans Cruise, Knights' Picnic, Windsor Great Park	Finlay Marshall
Thursday, 29th June, from 7pm	Summer Reception, Osborne Bros, Billet Wharf, Leigh Old Town	Finlay Marshall,or Peter Dolby
Friday, 21st July	Dunkirk film released in cinemas
Sunday, 27th August	Southend Barge Match	Mike King
Sunday, 10th September	Leigh Regatta, Leigh Old Town	Peter Dolby
Friday, 20th October, from 7.30pm	AGM, Leigh Community Centre, Elm Road, Leigh-on-Sea	Peter Dolby
Friday, 24th November, 7.00pm for 7:30pm	Annual Dinner, Essex County Bowls Club, Imperial Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea	Finlay Marshall,  or Peter Dolby

Guess Who!

We are grateful to both Peter Wexham and Peter Osborne who helped to identify the person to the right of ‘Peter’ Snoad in this photograph, which featured in our last newsletter, as Ivan Emery.

Sheila Myall - RIP

We are saddened to announce that Sheila, one of the first members of the Trust, passed away in January. Sheila and her husband Ron were great supporters  of restoring Endeavour as a cockle boat under motor and sail. Her grandfather was Harry Robinson, who with her father, also Harry aka ‘Fatten’, had the Endeavour built in 1924. The oldest picture we have of the boat was the one in the Bawley race during a Regatta before the war. Sheila  will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Annual Dinner 2016

The decision to hold the annual dinner at the Essex County Bowls Club in Imperial Avenue proved to be inspired. Seventy-four members and guests attended a thoroughly enjoyable evening and our thanks go to so many members and friends who donated raffle prizes which helped us to raise a total of £650 much needed funds. Invited guests were our President, Sir David Amess MP, and Simon Palmer, Vice Commodore of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships. Simon, in response to Paul Gilson’s usual witty speech, praised the Trust for its work and Endeavour’s participation in many ADLS events and concluded by proposing a toast to the Trust on behalf of the guests.

We are delighted that we are able to hold this year's dinner, on November 24th at the same venue.

Support from Supermarkets and Pubs

We reported in the November newsletter that the Leigh Co-op food and funeral care outlets had approved the Endeavour Trust as one of two local community groups they were supporting for six months. Great news – our total contribution at the time of going to print is £1,939.91, and Co-op members, who selected us, are adding to it every time they buy selected Co-op brand products from their stores and funeral outlets.

The fundraising period ends on April 9th, a little over two weeks to spread the word and get more members to back our cause and hopefully raise the total to over £2,000.

Winter Maintenance

Endeavour is now blocked ashore in Leigh Marina and has had a good wash with fresh clean water. The photograph shows Endeavour snug under her cover which is held in place by the frame and ties. She will soon have her annual repaint, anti-fouling and any maintenance work required. We are checking, and replacing as required, all safety equipment on board.

When she is back in the water she will look and perform at her best for the season’s schedule as diarised on this issue's Events post.

Art Tribute to 'The Miracle of Dunkirk' in Southend

Prominent local artist John Bulley, in a project with Shoeburyness High School, is to paint an 8 foot x 32 foot mural in the Victoria Plaza, Southend depicting the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk. Alongside the mural he aims to add a painting of Dunkirk veteran Alfred Smith, also from Shoebury, who we featured in our August newsletter. 

John has worked on film sets and his murals and urban art includes pieces on building sites, pubs and even a few churches. Recent examples of his work can be seen on the 300 foot Street Art on Sea site on Eastern Esplanade and the Art Doesn’t Discriminate hoarding, with Project 49, on the London Road in Westclff.

John contacted us with a view to include the Endeavour in the mural and we are arranging for him, possibly with the school, to visit Endeavour to make some sketches/drawings. John has allowed us to show this example of one of his working drawings to give us more of an idea of the project.

Photo Gallery

Mark Cass has kindly given permission for us to print this photograph that he  took recently as the sun was setting.

This photograph of Endeavour was taken in the late 70s or early 80s. is  provided by Stuart Emery from his vast collection of photographs of Leigh boats. She is on the same mooring as used today and the weed rakes aboard  show  that she was white weeding at the time.

Endeavour Fund Raiser at Ye Olde Smack

Please click on the attached flyer for details of a fund raising evening at the Smack in Old Leigh on February 18th.

This should be a great opportunity to raise much needed funds – please come along and support if you can.