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.