SPRING 2010 NEWS
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1940's music
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Live shanties from the Thamesside Shanty Men
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Memorabilia display
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Natters by the Skipper
6 Rue L Hermitte
59140 Dunkerque
France
The service at the memorial will take place on the morning of Sunday 30th May.
SPRING 2009 NEWS
Once again a super meal on the ex-minesweeper Wilton in Leigh. This time it's in June. The tide will be in, so it's all set for a lovely evening out.
3 Course dinner £16.50 per person
Sailing Programme
Endeavour has been invited to the Chatham Historic Ships Rally on 26th June when a whole flotilla of vessels will be gathering. It will be a great event and the possibility exists to either go over with Endeavour or return with her - please note your interest on the Sailing Form. | |
"What's that
down there?" Restorers, electrician and Mike King discuss what needs
to be done at the Brightlingsea winter site |
Other Noteworthy Events
August 14 Southend Barge Match starting at the end of Southend Pier
August 23 Leigh Fishing Festival based around Bell Wharf/Victoria Wharf in Old Leigh
Nostalgia Corner
Where we found her in Kent, with all sorts of weird junk
around her.
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Re-Christening at Bell Wharf with admiring crowd watching the
event.
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Dave Spurgeon many years ago! - now a Trustee.
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You and You and You!
In the armed forces, that was how one 'volunteered' but we are much more friendly! However, we do need volunteers to do some sanding, varnishing and painting.
Most work will be under cover at Jeremy Squier's yard in Canewdon, but all the blocks (see picture on page 3) for instance, could be done at home.
Sergeant Major Finlay Marshall is in charge.
A Few Improvements
Many visitors have commended us on how traditional she is. The only 'improvements' made at restoration stage were the addition of modern instrumentation and modern sailcloth, that faithfully replicated the original material.
Back in 1924, the average local person would probably be involved in a bit of scrumping, but today's serious thieving is rife in the boating world - probably because items can be readily sold. We therefore need a secure locker in the hold for life jackets, fenders and warps as it is easy to gain access to the hold itself, because the boards that go over the large opening cannot be secured in position.
We propose to rectify the security situation and Brian Kennell, who carried out the original restoration with Shaun White, is going to undertake some modifications to the hold area - none of which will affect the look of Endeavour. This will all take place at Brightlingsea where Brian is working on the Thames barge Thalatta. Some re-wiring will also be done together with a service of the Lester engine.
Mike King will be responsible for keeping an eagle eye on the work as it progresses. None of this is of course without cost and demonstrates the need for your continued membership to the Endeavour Trust.
There are two moorings in Leigh that are available to us; one to the east of the Two Tree slipway provided by Richard King, and the other just off Old Leigh, level with the east end of the bridge, provided by Reta Cocks. Both of them have advantages and disadvantages - Endeavour floats much earlier at Two Tree and so it is more useful when Endeavour is being used - but it is several hundred yards from the slipway and consequently not easy to spot. The Old Town mooring is great for public viewing, but she'll only be afloat for a little time each side of high water.
So, how do we plan to use the facilities to the best effect? Wherever Endeavour has an imminent sailing day or days, she will be moved from 'the viewing mooring' (VM) to Two Tree ready for action, and will return to VM only when no other sailing is planned. A dinghy will be placed in Old Leigh for boarding, towed to Two Tree and kept ashore there ready for the next boarding, and will return to VM with Endeavour.
All this is under the auspices of the Vice-President Jeremy Squier, who has assumed the role of 'Sailing Secretary'. He will always know where Endeavour is at any one time, and has a list of available skippers and crew.
COCKLE BAWLEY BOATS | 31 May 1940 |
12:30 | The flotilla of 6 boats (including Endeavour LO41 - Skipper P O Halls) left Southend for Dunkirk, in company |
14:10 | Passed Margate roads. The flotilla was ordered to proceed direct to Dunkirk |
18:20/18:40 | Air attacks. The flotilla scattered |
18:50 | Spitfires drove off enemy attack. At least 5 German planes crashed into the sea |
19:15 | Dunkirk roads |
19:30 | Found it impracticable for the boats to work off the beach |
21:30 | The boats embarked troops from outside Dunkirk jetty, transferring them to the Sk Tilly and other ships |
22:40 | The swell made the work difficult, so the flotilla, in formation, entered the harbour |
23:50/1 June 01:45ca | The flotilla embarked about 200 troops, 100 of which
were transferred by 4 of the Bawley boats to the drifter Sarah Hayes
the remainder to other ships. From then on the Bawley boats worked
independently. |
A Great Evening
Expert Restorer Brian Kennell with professional boat painter Debbie Cannon
John Milgate, our restoration guru with Saun White
Who's that just come in?
A model of Endeavour in her shrimping days
Mike has been at the helm since 2001 when both the Endeavour Trust and the Management Committee, overseeing the day-to-day running, were established and has seen Endeavour restored from a very poor condition to her present excellent state.
Mike recalls his first sight of and subsequent involvement in Endeavour, "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. We agreed then to move her to Leigh and she returned on a huge low loader to be welcomed back to her home-town.
Much activity, both in money raising and physical work, resulted in a sparkling Endeavour going back to Dunkirk four years later. I am grateful to the many people who have put in a lot of hard work during the restoration."
He continued, "I would especially like to mention Reta Cocks, Finlay Marshall and Peter Dolby. The last two of these sailed with skipper Paul Gilson to Dunkirk in 2005; both are now involved in the Management Committee. Finlay is responsible for the upkeep of Endeavour and Peter has agreed to take over from me as Management Committee Chair.
"Peter is no stranger to Leigh and has many recent successes to his name from chairing the Leigh-on-Sea Town Council for two years to making a great success of the Leigh Fishing Festival. Both Peter's father Russell and grandfather were Leigh fishermen, and I feel that Peter is the ideal choice to take over the Chair."
The Endeavour Trust itself, which is a Registered Charity, is separate from the Management Committee that looks after, and is responsible to the Endeavour Trust for, the day-to-day operations of Endeavour. Mike King has not severed all his connections with the Endeavour as he will retain his position as Chairman of the Endeavour Trust and stay on the Management Committee.
MAY 2005 NEWS
Endeavour At Sea
APRIL 2005 NEWS
Endeavour's Return
Endeavour Returns to Leigh & Dunkirk News
New Engine arrives for Endeavour
The deck beams have now been fitted along with the bulkheads. The stern tube has been made and fitted into the pre-drilled hole and the decking is now being laid. Steve Cocks has ordered the fuel tanks from a company in Southampton and is organising the gearbox, prop shaft and propeller.
Peter and Finlay have been putting coat after coat of varnish on the mast and spars and they now have quite a shine to them. The sails are being made in Tollsbury and work has now started on the rigging. Because time is getting short we now have four craftsman working full time on the restoration as it was felt that the sooner work is completed the better.
The intention is to return Endeavour to Leigh sometime in March so that the finishing work like the rigging can be completed, the final painting done and she can be re-launched in April. Obviously the actual dates are still to be agreed but will be set as soon as it is practical to do so. There is still quite a lot of work to be done before she can return to Leigh, but the work is definitely proceeding well.
Please check in the news section for more pictures of the Endeavour as she takes shape.
MARCH 2004 NEWSLETTER
Lister win the day
At last, we are moving forward on all fronts; shortly Brian and Shaun
will be in a position to start working on Endeavour's mast and spars, and we
are progressing elsewhere too.
After much research on the internet we were able to locate quite a number
of possible engines for Endeavour including Volvo, Perkins, Ford and Lister.
We gave very serious consideration to all these engines but since she had a
Lister Blackstone in her during her early life and during the time of going
to Dunkirk, it was decided that Lister would be our preferred choice. So,
after approaching Lister direct and informing them that traditionally
Endeavour always had a Lister engine, that she had a Lister engine when she
went to Dunkirk, and that on a number of occasions she won the local trawler
race and lifted the 'Lister cup', they decided to make us an offer that we
just could not refuse. They will therefore be supplying us with a Lister
Petter 40 HP diesel engine at about £2,000 below the current list price. So
when Endeavour takes to the water once again 'in spring of 2005', she will
again be propelled by a Lister engine, of very similar size to the one that
was last in her.
A Multiplicity of Components
We
are now well under way with arranging the purchase of the major components
that are needed for Endeavour. Thank you to those who have helped by
providing photographs of Endeavour under sail or just as she was in her
early days! It all helps to get her restoration right, so if you have an old
photo of Endeavour please let one of the Trust officers know.
We have ordered the mast and spars and they will be ready by the end of
May. Then we will be in a position to order the sails. A company called
North Sea Sails, who have worked a lot with Brian and Shaun in the past,
have been helping us with working out just how they should be and the more
accurate information we can assemble the better. Then we will be able to go
out and get quotations to provide the sails by the latter part of the year,
in plenty of time for them to be fitted to Endeavour as soon as she is ready
to receive them.
The
multiplicity of components needed is quite mind-boggling. We have already
been given quite a large number of useful items and have them in store, and
as you can imagine, storage space is at a premium. But don't let that put
you off if you can help to provide some much needed equipment please get in
touch with Peter Wexham or David Spurgeon to find out whether what you have
is just what we need. The items we will have to acquire range from the quite
large like a clinker built skiff in order to get aboard when the tides in,
to spoons to be able to stir the tea.
At our last management meeting, Mike made a joke about not needing a big
oar to row her and in unison Peter, David and Keith pointed out that one
thing we do need is a big oar. Not to row with but to push on, Endeavour
always carried an oar about sixteen feet long which was used to stop her
going too firmly aground and to help turn her in Leigh creek.
So as you might by now have realised, when Mike and Peter did their
original estimate, with the help of John Millgate, which has proved to be
remarkably accurate, they were only thinking about the big things. They just
took the broad overview not a detailed inventory, therefore the more of the
little things we can gather over the period of the restoration, the better.
Dunkirk - according to the BBC
Before the recent three-part TV programme on Dunkirk was broadcast the
papers were full of claims that it would show that 'Leigh cocklers only went
to Dunkirk because they were paid'. Understandably there was an outcry, and
Reta was much quoted, showing her understandable anger at the insinuation.
But, that wasn't what went out in the programme, and one wonders why? Was
it because they took it out of the broadcast, or was the pre-publicity
intended to stir it up and get people watching it? Probably we shall never
know, but it left a nasty taste.
The programme itself was extremely effective in showing the total horror
of war. All too often battles are shown in a macho way, which glorifies
them.
It was particularly pleasing that the Renown disaster wasn't altered for
dramatic effect; indeed the only odd thing was the destroyer helmsman being
told to steer 'one point to starboard' - very, very precise!!
I was left with the realisation of the responsibility we all have to
ensure the real heroes are recognised and remembered by following
generations by using that old lady Endeavour as a centrepiece.
Mike
Date for your Diary
Our Trust AGM for 2004 will be held on Friday July 23rd
at 7.30pm in room 3 (Canteen Room) at Wesley Methodist Church in Elm Road,
Leigh. We have decided to move to Wesley so that we can have a good sized
room on the ground floor in order to provide easy access for all our
members. So please mark this date in your diary and perhaps we can have an
even better attended meeting than last year. Further details about the
nights events will, be in the next edition of this newsletter.
I have been asked by the remaining members of what was the Southend and
District Dunkirk Veterans Association to make you aware of their Anniversary
Church Service. They are all members of the Endeavour Trust and Frank Grove
their very last Chairman tells me that the service will be held at St. John
the Baptist Church in Church Road, Southend on Sunday 30th May 2004
at 11am. God willing, all seven will be in attendance as will the Mayor of
Southend and they would be very pleased to welcome any members of the Trust
who are able to attend. They laid up their standard on Sunday 10th September
2000 and it is kept at St. John the Baptist Church for safe keeping.
Keith
Membership Renewal Now 1st September
Over the life of the Trust, our membership has risen from about thirty
five to about one hundred and seventy. Whilst this is great and I hope it
continues it also has its downside; as people have taken out membership with
the Trust, I have given them a renewal date twelve months on from joining.
This has resulted in a situation now where we have members needing to renew
their membership in most months of the year which creates an awful lot of
work.
Therefore, at the last management meeting it was agreed to move
everyone's membership to the same renewal date, the beginning of our
financial year, 1st September of every year. So, from now on, everybody's
membership is due for renewal on the first of September.
DECEMBER 2003 NEWSLETTER
Now for the Engine, Mast and Sails
Yes, the time has come when we can start thinking of these things:
exciting isn't it?
Our hopes of getting a low cost engine from Ford UK haven't happened but
we have a number of alternatives. Our main concern is that it should be as
much a British engine as it is possible to obtain. When we decide on an
engine local engineer Stephen Cocks, whose grandfather owned Endeavour, will
oversee it's installation and any alterations that may be required to make
it suitable for marine use.
The mast and sails do however present a difficulty. When Endeavour was
built no-one took drawings of the rig. So far we only have one photograph
which clearly shows the sails, and even this doesn't show them side on, so
that we can measure them.
Our restoration Consultant, John Millgate, is working with North Sea
Sails to come up with dimensions, but if any of our members have photographs
of Endeavour or a similar Leigh Cockle boat, showing the mast and sail plan,
we would welcome sight of them.
We have located some excellent rope, which looks just like the
traditional hemp but is in fact made from modern no-rot materials. This will
maintain the authenticity of the completed boat whilst giving us all the
benefit that modern technology provides.
Endeavour 'on course for Dunkirk'
We are pleased to announce that extra funding has been obtained for the
restoration of the Endeavour; Trustee David Norman says that we are near to
achieving the total sum needed.
Our latest grant success is £6,000 from the Essex Heritage Trust. This is
an organization dedicated to preserving the history of the county and the
money will be used to purchase the mast, sails and rigging. As mentioned
above, we have already been in contact with
expert traditional sail makers over the exact specification for the sails
and if you can help in this regard please get in touch with one of the
officers or trustees.
Another notable contribution has come from Keymed who have given us £1,000 thanks to the efforts of Peter Wexham who brought Endeavour to their
attention.
Altogether our fundraising is going very well but there is no room for
complacency. We have a commitment that in June 2005 the Royal Navy will
escort Endeavour and the other little ships to Dunkirk for the last time and
that has been our first target from the start. There is, however, no small
amount of irony in that, because this will be the first time Endeavour will
have returned, because up until now she has always been a working boat with
no time for foreign jaunts. Unfortunately it's not just the human veterans
that are reducing in number but also the vessels and so the restoration of
Endeavour has come just in time.
Can we take this opportunity to drum home the message that Endeavour is
an ongoing project and we are just at the beginning. We are restoring her in
such a way that, barring catastrophic accident, Endeavour will be around
longer than most of us involved in the work. We estimate that it will be
fifty years before any more work needs to be done and during that time she
will be busy educating those who will listen about the lessons to be learnt
from the past.
Educational Purposes
Those of you who have been reading this newsletter since issue one will
know that on many occasions we have written that Endeavour will be used for
educational purposes. Well, very soon we will have to get to grips with the
reality of that statement. Many of the grants that we have received have
come with a commitment to allow a specific amount of public access or
educational use. So, as we reach the stage where we can see the completion
of the restoration in sight, the question of exactly how we will fulfill
those commitments looms ever nearer. As you will read elsewhere in this
issue, Reta is already in a way partly fulfilling that commitment, but we
can't leave all the work to one person, no matter how good she is. That is
why we must redouble our efforts to not only maintain our membership, which
currently stands at over 170, but to increase it. Endeavour will continue to
require essential 'support' both financial and material: our support; yours
and mine. It's no good restoring her and then leaving her! We have an
obligation to make good use of her.
If you put your minds to it, I am sure, like me, you could produce a
whole list of ways in which we could make good use of Endeavour, but each
one would have the same thing in common; the need for resources. You the
members provide that resource.
After June 2005, we will be able to use Endeavour to sail the inshore
waters as she was built to do. But to take people out to experience what
it's like and what it would have been like to cross the English Channel, we
will need people with the right qualifications and certificates. Is that
you?
Also, to allow people to board Endeavour to see inside, we will need
people ready to give up some time to make sure it's done in safety. We will
need people to offer their support, their time and money. Is there something
you could do either in future or even now?
If you would like to offer your support but feel you do not have the
skills, there is plenty of time to attain them, perhaps through a course at
S.A.V.S. Please think about it and then volunteer. (See the
contact page for the Secretary's email address)
Congratulations - 1
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I can convey the sincere thanks
of the Trust to Nick James. As you probably remember, Nick has been working
very hard in the background to secure for the Trust a large quantity of
larch for use in the restoration of Endeavour. Nicks efforts have been very
much appreciated by all concerned.
So much so in fact that the Trustees have decided to reward Nick with a
life membership of the Trust.
Things didn't always go smoothly to plan, but when do they? As with
everything success comes with effort.
Well done Nick - we just hope that all the problems haven't put you off
helping in the future.
Congratulations - 2
When Endeavour was 'found' in Kent, one of the party which discovered her
was the editor of the Leigh Times, Michael Guy. The Leigh Times has always
been most generous with the coverage given to our activities, and we
presented Michael with a certificate in recognition of all the help he has
given us.
OCTOBER 2003 NEWSLETTER
Update from Reta Cox
Hello folks,
I have been asked to put pen to paper to let you know about this year's
fund raising events. By invitation, I have given talks on Endeavour to
numerous clubs and associations. Many thanks to the members of Cruse,
Highlands Monday Club, Leigh Ladies Circle, Pall Mall, Circle 5-0 Group,
Billericay, Ladies After Eight Club, Thundersley and Leigh Men's Forum, for
listening and making me so welcome.
In March, Southend Brass Band and the Trust held a combined concert at
Clifftown Congregational Church which was a great success.
In May, at St.Clements Mayfair in Leigh Library Gardens, Norah, Sheila
and Myself ran a successful Tombola Stall.
In June, the Trust was invited to hold a stall at the Pier Open Weekend.
'What great Fun!!' Saturday was very quiet and cold, Sunday, my friend
Margaret and I nearly took off over the estuary, a gale of wind got up
hitting the yachts in the Nore Race. Then turned its attention to the Pier
and the marquee with us in it; what a frightful experience. I phoned my
husband to tell him we were okay in case he was worried about us, all he
said was, 'what wind?'
In July, we held a Poetry Evening, at the Book Inn, Broadway West. I have
never arranged an event like this before, but it turned out to be a very
enjoyable evening. Many thanks to the staff of the Book Inn and to everyone
who gave us their support. We held a table sale at Manchester Drive
Allotments Open Day. I only wish we had had a film camera to record us
trying to put up a 'Gazebo', I'm thinking of selling tickets for next year.
In August, we had a New and Nearly New Sale at New Road Methodist Church.
Thanks once again to Norah, Sheila, Margaret, Eve and Marilyn for all their
help. Pity the newspaper that gave us such a good write up forgot to put the
time it started in the article.
In
September, Norah, Sheila and I again ran a Tombola Stall at the Fishing
Festival.
Over the past year, I've had a mixed bag of events and I have met a lot
of lovely people, had many laughs and a few tears.
Those who attended our AGM met six special gentlemen; 'Veterans of
Dunkirk'. The seventh veteran couldn't attend because at the age of 85 he
was having a heart by-pass. They are the last members of the Southend
Dunkirk Veterans Association and we wish them all well and a speedy
recovery. I would also like to send our best wishes to another veteran who
now lives in Chesterfield but used to live in Tudor Gardens, Leigh. He made
a special journey to pay his respects to the young men who crewed the little
ships, including Endeavour, who may have rescued him from the beaches. Pat,
we do hope you will be feeling better soon. God bless you all.
I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy
New Year. Reta
November 29th
Leigh Town Council have invited the Trust to have a table at the
Christmas Lights Evening. If you can, please come and give us your
help and support. We hope to be in Elm Road near the Old Coliseum.
December 13th
St.Clements Christmas Fair - please put this date in
your diary and come along to support our efforts at this event. It runs from
10 am till 3.30 pm, so there is plenty of time to get there, but most
importantly, tell your relatives, friends and neighbours. Encourage them to
come and support us at both events because that is how we will achieve our
aim and restore Endeavour.
AUGUST 2003 NEWSLETTER
Now for the really good news...
Now that phase one is complete with all the oak frames, new keel, stem
post and transom done, we have turned our attentions to phase two which
starts with the planking. We now have the timber we need in order to
complete the planking, all we now require is our craftsmen to return from
the work they have been doing whilst we were raising the money to pay for
the work.
If things work out as we hope once restoration restarts we will have
enough money for them to continue working until they have finished the
planking, decking and fitting out the interior.
Dunkirk Veterans at Endeavour AGM
The highlight of our very well attended AGM was the contribution made by
five Dunkirk Veterans. Ron Willson, speaking on their behalf told how many
of the soldiers would never have got away but for the small boats like
Endeavour. He told how 3 ton lorries were driven into the water to form a
sort of pier so the little boats could take on a full load of soldiers. "What you are doing now to preserve Endeavour is great work," he said. "She
will provide a real link with those historic times".
He also told how in Belgium, his group were required to walk towards the
sea at night, but then turn round and march towards the firing line in
daylight. "The idea was to convince the enemy that reinforcements were
coming up, but I'm not sure it worked," he said.
Reports from the Trust officers showed how much progress had been made in
the last year.
One half of the expected cost has been raised, and applications for
further grants have been made.
All work is being done to a standard that will not require any further
restoration for at least 50 years.
The framework is now completely restored, and special timber for the
planking is on it's way from Southern Ireland, thanks to the sterling effort
of Nick James, making good use of his contacts within the timber trade.
All officers were re-elected with a vote of thanks being given for their
hard work in the year. Particular thanks were given to all members who
delivered leaflets and helped at the various fundraising events.
We were on TV again
A very good news report on Endeavour was transmitted by the BBC last
month - unfortunately on Look East which not too many people in Leigh get.
But it all goes to show the interest there is in the boat.
Financial Report - the Tax Man helping with restoration!
Just a few days ago when the postman did his morning delivery I received
an envelope from the Inland Revenue, not normally a good thing to receive.
But on this occasion when I opened it I was very pleased to discover that it
was to tell me that £415.18 had been deposited in the Trust bank account. So
to all of you who have taken the time and trouble to fill in a Gift Aid form
thank you and well done. If you have been meaning to fill one in and haven't
quite got round to doing so it's not too late. If you pay tax it is well
worth the effort. Very soon I will be filling in another claim form and
asking the Tax Man for a further sum approaching £3,000, Which will pay for
quite a bit of restoration work, so if you can please Gift Aid your giving.
For those who were unable to attend the AGM in July our finances
at the
moment look quite healthy but once work restarts possibly next month
it will
not take long to spend. The Trust financial year ends this month and
so far
this year we have managed to raise £2,000 in membership
subscriptions £12,000 in donations, almost £2,000 selling Bric-a-brac
and through events
and £26,750 in grants. Making a total of £42,750.
We have spent almost £6,000 on materials, £21,500 on actual restoration
work by the shipwrights and £600 on sundries making £28,100.
This means we now have enough money in the bank to restart restoration.
Please give yourself a pat on the back.
But before you start thinking that we have made it and there is no need
to bother anymore, once our shipwrights start work again it will be costing
us about £1,200 every week. This means we have enough money to pay them for
about three months work, less whatever we have to spend on materials. The
good thing is that they can do quite a lot of work in three months, but we
need to continue all our fundraising activities.
Keith Threadgold
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