Welcome to our Summer Newsletter

This edition contains news of Endeavour's trips to take part in the D-Day commemorations in Portsmouth, her trip to Antwerp, and the announcement of the Summer Reception.
All this and a round up of other news, including the annual subscription reminder!

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

The Longest Day 2019

Photo: Mark Rutley (www.markrutleyphotography.co.uk)
 160 miles in 22 hours!

In May Endeavour set a new record for a voyage traveling from Leigh to Portsmouth in just over 23 hours for the 160 mile trip to be part of the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings commemoration.

We believe that the crew aboard for the epic journey were the oldest – so far! For the return trip the crew was Andy Wood, Paul Gilson and Chris Bailey, our three main skippers. For Chris it was his last aboard the boat.

Dunkirk Little Ships had been invited to escort veterans into the Solent on their way to Normandy. The boats were also the first non-naval vessels to moor in Portsmouth's brand new Historic Dockyard. With a series of events in the Solent up until June 6 it was clear more than one crew would be needed.

The Mayor Looks In

Southend Mayor, Councillor John Lamb, with his wife, Pat, the lady Mayoress dropped in on Endeavour's stall at the Leigh Community Event at Bonchurch Park on June 9th.

They are pictured with Paul Gilson and Andy Wood. The free event was organised by Leigh Town Council to promote community groups and local charities, more than 30 of which took part.

Regatta Time!


Endeavour will be on show at Leigh Regatta on Sunday, September 15 and members of the crew will be manning our stall on Bell Wharf as usual. This event, which was once organised by local scout groups is being sponsored by Leigh Lions Club.

The Regatta is one of the most popular events in the Old Town raising money for local charities and scout groups. Musically there will be performances by the Hoy Shantymen at Bell Wharf on board the boat as well as giving members the chance to look the boat over before she goes off to Maldon for repairs in October.

Antwerp Through the Canals


At the time of writing Endeavour is on her way to Antwerp in Belgium along with a fleet of Dunkirk little ships. Paul Gilson was in command with Alan Bartram and new member Andrew Sales as crew.

The boat was heading for Ramsgate before sailing in convoy to Nieuwpoort.

The Winter Warmer

We shall be holding our annual dinner on Thursday November 21st at the Estuary Club, London Road, Leigh (map).

Endeavour will be undergoing repairs in Maldon over the winter to make her perfect for her return to Dunkirk next year so come and hear our plans for the future as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the "great escape" from France.

The dinner is an opportunity to escape the winter gloom, stock up on Christmas cards and gifts and perhaps win something nice in our raffle. Tickets cost £25 per person and we shall be offering a three course meal. The Estuary Club has an excellent selection of wine and beers available.

A form for tickets and your orders can be downloaded here.

If you have a raffle prize you would like to donate please contact Finlay Marshall.

Newsletter Online

Many Trust members use computers in their daily lives and we want to access them with the Newsletter.

Chris Burls, our Membership Secretary has been trying to get email addresses for as many people as possible. Emailing the newsletter saves on printing and postage costs; the more members getting their copy that way means we can use the money saved to pay for repairs.

You can email Chris your details by clicking here.

Members Cruise

Back in June Endeavour sailed with members and three young artists having their first trip. As well as the crew of Paul, John Cotteridge and Danny Westlake we had 10 folks on board for the trip.

Among those having their first experience on Endeavour were three pupils from Our Lady of Lourdes Primary School, Elizabeth Greer, Helayna Stimpson-Cook and Layla Sato-Cubbon. The girls came top in a drawing competition following a talk at the school by Finlay Marshall.

The cruise took the party along the foreshore, up the pier, then over to Kent and back to Bell Wharf.

The weather was kind with a calm sea although a few splashes got aboard.

September Means Subscriptions

We have a new Treasurer in Rob Everitt who, like all treasurers, wants money. As the sailing season draws to a close it is also time to renew subscriptions.

Many of you pay annually via Standing Order. May we remind you that fees increased but some have not altered their SO to take them into account. Please amend them appropriately. Thank you!

The annual costs are:

Individual - £17.50
Family - £25
Senior Citizen & Under 18s - £12.50
Life membership - £175

If you are not currently a member but would like to join, please download the membership form here and return it to us!

Endeavour at Rest

Photograph by Martin Heyhurst