Nore Race 2024

Rounding the Last Buoy

The Nore Race for dinghies and cruisers is an historic race in the Thames Estuary, having taken place each summer since the early 1920s (with a break during World War II). Since the 1930s, the race has been run by Benfleet Yacht Club.

We had hoped to enter Endeavour for the 2023 event, but there were questions about insurance that made it too uncertain to risk participating, and she only attended as a supporter. This year, however, with everything in place, she was entered as part of Group 3—mono-hulled cruising yachts.

Leigh-on-Sea Regatta 2024

This year, after three years of the Leigh Lions maintaining Leigh’s early September historic festival, the two Old Town Scout Groups resumed control and resurrected the two day Regatta with many traditional events.

Endeavour has always supported Regatta despite its clashing with the Classic Boat Show at St Katharine’s Dock, to which she is always invited. I can remember the days, back in the 50s, when the fishermen from boats like Endeavour joined in the fun.

Laying Up Supper 2024

Endeavour’s Laying Up Supper is going ahead at the Chalkwell Park Rooms on Friday 1st November. Tickets are £27.50 and menu options are:

A Disappointing Sailing Year

Endeavour off Shivering Sands Forts - Photo: Freck Fraser

 

There has been a very disappointing response of members requesting either a 2 hour trip or 10 hour sailing trip this year.

We had one new member’s sail in July, which was recorded by a passing boat as we sailed off the Shivering Sands Forts.

Sadly, one booked ‘ashes scattering’ event had to be postponed due to inclement weather.

Had it not been for the members, who joined us for the trip to and from St Katharine Dock in May, this year we would have hardly seen any members afloat at all. We hope next year will see more of you join us on the water.

Subscriptions are Due!

Members are reminded that the Endeavour Trust’s subscription year started on September 1st when annual subscriptions fell due.

The Membership Secretary would like to thank any members who have already paid by standing order, which makes his job so much easier (hint hint)!

Those who have yet to pay are reminded that subscriptions are currently £12.50 for seniors, £17.50 for individuals and £25 for family.

A Model of Excellence

Jimmy Waters wrote to us after the recent Summer Reception at Osbornes - which he reported enjoying very much and noted Endeavour looked absolutely splendid (he lamented the fact that wife Barbara hadn't brought her camera to capture some shots of her dressed overall) - to give us an update about Endeavour's model replica, which we've featured before.

Dunkirk at the Docks

The Association of Dunkirk Little Ships (ADLS) puts on a reunion of its members each year—the ADLS Memorial Cruise—around the end of May, the anniversary of the evacuation, and Endeavour always tries to attend.

This year, St Katharine Dock Marina was chosen as the venue from Thursday 23rd to Monday 27th (next year it will be in the Port of Dunkirk itself).

Summer Reception 2024

On Friday, 14th June the Trust hosted its annual Summer Social at its regular venue of  Osborne Bros on Billet Wharf. Entertainment was from the always entertaining Hoy Shanty Crew.  

The Summer Social is an opportunity for our members to get together to enjoy local seafood and each other’s company with Endeavour sitting dressed overall on her mooring nearby. With high water at 1900, members could really enjoy seeing her at her very best.

A Trip in Memoriam

Our esteemed membership secretary, Chris Burls, and his wife Connie recently took a trip to the National Memorial Arboretum near Alrewas in Staffordshire, where they took the time to view the Dunkirk memorial. They were able to reflect on that momentous day and how we are connected to it via Endeavour and the other Leigh ships that went over to rescue the men from the beaches, most especially, of course, Renown and her crew.

Dates for the Diary

The annual Laying Up Supper will take place on Friday, 1st November; full details will be announced shortly, but save the date!

We are also planning a meal and quiz evening at Osbornes in mid September - date tbc. Another opportunity to enjoy their delicious food and great company while raising a few pounds for the Trust.

More news when we have it—keep an eye on the website and our socials!

New Trustees

The Trust is very pleased to announce that our Secretary Cameron McGregor and Treasurer Carl Pullen have been appointed as Trustees.

This important role ensures that the Trust caries out its purposes for the public benefit and for the purposes for which it is set up. Trustees ensure compliance with the law and ensure that the money that is donated to us is spent in the best interests of the charity and accountably, including making our annual filings with the Charity Commission, and ensure that the Trust is not exposed to undue risk.

A Recipe for Success

Back in early November, we were delighted to be able to meet famous chef Michel Roux Jr, who was filming a section for his show, Roux Down The River, for the Food Network channel.

The original plan involved Michel taking a trip out on Endeavour with a crew including Alan Barttram and Chris Burls and learning about the Leigh boats at Dunkirk.

A Fish(ing boat) Out of Water

Endeavour came out of the water for her annual maintenance on 26th February.

Floated into the cradle at Leigh Marina, she was winched out of the briny where many weeks of hard graft await her.

The first job was to pressure wash the bottom and remove a year’s worth of Leigh mud and algae.

Old Leigh Shanty Festival Announced

Old Leigh Shanty Festival 2023 - who will we attract this year?

This year’s Old Leigh Shanty Festival, organised by our good friends, the Leigh Lions, will run from Friday 17th to Sunday 19th May.

On May 17, the Crooked Billet will host a ‘sing-around’ session. On the Saturday, around 15 crews will perform all over Old Leigh. On Sunday, May 19, more shanty crews and folk musicians will perform. All of the musicians give up their time for free to raise funds.

Schedule of Activities 2024 — Book a Trip on Endeavour

The new Schedule of Activities for 2024 has been uploaded to the Endeavour website on the Trips on Endeavour page. We'd love to print it in the newsletter, but we'd have no room for anything else if we did! If you are unable to access an online copy, please let Chris Burls (01702 553274) know, and we'll arrange for a hard copy to be delivered.

The Schedule of Activities lists all of the potential dates when tides mean Endeavour could possibly make an excursion, plus lists existing commitments including - amongst others - the Classic Boat Show at St Kats, the ADLS Commemorative Cruise and the Old Leigh Shanty Festival.

Summer Reception Announced

The date for this year’s Summer Reception has been announced as Friday, the 14th of June. We’re delighted to once more to be able to host the event at Osborne Bros on Billet Wharf. 

The Summer Reception is renowned for being great fun and an opportunity to chat with Trust members over a glass while enjoying Osborne’s fine seafood.