7th September 2007
After a long absence from this web site, I am finally able to resume my duties as webmaster.
I have already added three new groups to the Map and directory, and over the next few weeks I shall be working hard to catch up with bringing the site up to date.
22nd May 2007
Several bits of news this week.
Firstly the tragic news of the fire on the Cutty Sark.
The Cutty Sark, one of the last surviving 19th Century tea clippers, caught fire during the early hours of Monday morning, fortunately, the masts and much of the timber had been removed as part of an ongoing restoration.
Funds are now urgently needed to save the remaining structure, and to bring about a major reconstruction. The Cutty Sark Website has details of how to contribute.
There is already a discussion underway in the forum about the best way to rae funds for this cause.
The South West Pirate Festival is almost upon us....
This, the sixth SWPF is taking place at Morwellham Quay, near Tavistock, Devon, this coming weekend.
See the Calendar for more details.
Channel Five has announced that next weekend is Pirate Weekend.
On the face of it , this looks like an attempt to ride on the back of the Pirates of the Carribean release. withe a couple of pirate movies.
Saturday 26th May
17:05 Cutthroat Island
Sunday 27th May
13:30 Captain Horatio Hornblower
15:40 Pirates of the Caribbean: The Making of At World's End
16:10 Muppet Treasure Island
But they have saved the best for last!
20:00 Pirate Ship... Live!
Comedian and actor Vic Reeves presents a special two-hour programme telling the story of the Whydah, a pirate ship that sank off Cape Cod nearly 300 years ago. A dive on the wreck - the only authenticated wreck of a pirate vessel in the world - forms the live element of the programme, while specially shot dramatic reconstructions tell the story of notorious pirate captain Black Sam Bellamy and his crew.
And Finally.......
A new crew has been added to the Directory.
The Sea Thieves Pirate Association, is the latest Pirate enactment society to go onto the map.
16th May 2007
I have recieved an account of the pirate event that took place on board the Bark Endevour at Stockton-on-Tees last bank holiday weekend (May 5th, 6th & 7th.) from the organisor, Richard Rutherford-Moore, who was the co-ordinator for this event.
Hopefully there will be some photographs to follow.
"Pirates Aboard Endeavour" May 2007
An Event Report
There are three "Bark Endeavour" reconstructions afloat the moment : a faithful full-size replica based in Australia, a quarter-sized replica based in Whitby harbour and a full-sized steel-hulled "museum" vessel currently moored on the River Tees at Stockton - the latter is the vessel this event was staged aboard.
The vessel is currently under "standing rigging" and is in the process of slowly being "refitted". I was asked to try and "raise the awareness" of this vessel last year and last year's pirate event in August saw a good turnout of pirates from the ukpiratebrotherhood, with Sheppey Pirates forming the backbone of the crew and Sea-thieves and CHES adding to the numbers. This year's May event was originally planned to be "Meet Captain Cook" but when the subject came up, without hesitation everyone plumped again for Pirates !
a variety of piratical displays took place from sword-play and musketry to learning how to do period navigation and what were the duties of a ships' surgeon (yuk!). I opened up more cabins from last year both in a practical sense for display purposes and to permit more space on the lower decks for the crew to "sling hammocks" (which as it turned out not everybody wanted to do, but most had a go at it). The Dockside last year served as our "evening haunt" in fine, warm weather but this year as the event was in early May and the crew had earned the trust, the Great Stern Cabin became our night-time common room with the array of windows in the stern gallery making a fine backdrop for "yarning".
Davy Jones graced us with his presence throughout - the mask was deemed an excellent look-alike and he made a few children jumping in surprise !
The weather was very kind to us - the ship provides an excellent "training area" for those wishing to learn more about and actually do some ship-work. For those who wanted it, some of the rigging was climbed and used to get a feel of what it was like : I can tell you from experience that unless you are at sea and "on a roll", it bears no comparison - but given the opportunity, the imagination can work wonders.... especially with Bosun Ed Foxe very photogenic up there actually re-rigging part of the mizzen-top futtock shrouds. "Long John" was very active in putting people on the capstan bars to hoist the rum-barrel using a block and tackle and "Blunderbuss" flew through the air with the greatest of ease on a rope rigged to the fore-mainyard. Sword and cutlass training was available from an accredited and qualified instructor "Captain Jack" and ship-based musketry and training was undertaken for both new and old members. An impressive "Captain Cutlass" festooned with pistols manfully strode the weather deck with pirate "wenches" patrolling the Dock. The swivel-gun manned, loaded and fired by Gunner Foxe was heard to echo all around the town beneath three authentic pirate flags fluttering above the deck. Feet clattered on the gangways at the call "All hands on deck!" and the ships' bell rang the changes in watch. For the newer members, it was certainly a grand opening introduction to a prospective career in period piracy !
I suppose this event-report has to mention "the boarding action" : on the second night, a small party of pirates actually boarded and sailed off aboard a neighbouring vessel, (The Tees Princess river cruiser) bringing back tales of derring-do (aboard with over a hundred screaming women from three hen-parties) that another larger boarding party went aboard the following night - the single case of "seasickness" reported amongst the returning "disco-pirates" was quickly observed to be something other than that. A vessel was duly reported to HM Customs & Excise to have been seen flying the Jolly Roger that very night : I was on watch - but I never saw a thing....
The ship joined in and slowly came alive - as the crew left her on Monday she was seen and heard to be definitely straining at the moorings to be off : a new record was set for "uproll" during the event which did add to the realism of the previous evening with a noticeable movement and a lot of shipboard groans and creaks. An hour after the crew departed a terrific storm hit the ship during which the more romantic of us saw tears running from her scuppers ....
....Will we be setting sail again ? Would you like to join the pirate crew ? There are on-going plans afoot so keep a weather-eye open on the UKpiratebrotherhood chat-forum events calendar, or contact the crews currently involved in this event :
SHEPPEY PIRATES |
SEA-THIEVES |
15th May 2007
No sooner have I posted one piece of news, when another comes in.
The Electric Cinema in Birmingham, the oldest working cinema in the UK, Is holding a Pirate Party to celebrate the release of Pirates of the Caribbean - At World's End
As well as the screening, there will be Rum Cocktails, and a performance by The Electric Cinema Film Orchestra.
For full detais, see the calendar section, or visit the cinema website
15th May 2007
I have opened a new page in the web site.
ARTICLES. This section is for any articles containing information which may be of interest to the pirate enthusiast.
The first contribution, by Richard Rutherford-Moore, is a guide to navigation during the Golden Age of Piracy, and how to apply it to re-enactment demonstrations.
To view the articles section, CLICK HERE
14th May 2007
"Set in the days of sail ships and pirates, Treasure Island tells of the adventures of Jim Hawkins and his search for the buried treasure of the notorious Captain Flint." "This new adaptation by Michael Whitmore is faithful to the book whilst creating a lively action packed show for all the family." Please Contact the Venue or Quantum Theatre for information on ticket prices, car parking, food and seating arrangements and directions. Quantum Theatre 0208 3179000
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News has just reached me of an open air production of Treasure Island that will be touring the country this summer. |
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DATE |
VENUE |
BOX OFFICE
|
|
| Sun 8 July, 3pm | Paxton House, Berwick upon Tweed. |
01289 386291 | |
Sat 14 July, 6.30pm |
Godington House & Gardens |
01233 643854 | |
| Sun 15 July, 2pm | Colchester Castle Park, Colchester. |
01206 282920 | |
| Tues 17 July, 7pm | Tebah Garden Nr Falmouth. | 01326 252200 | |
| Weds 18 July, 1 & 5.30pm |
Compton Acres, Poole. | 0208 3179000 | |
| Thurs 19 July, 6pm | Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher. |
0870 2404068 | |
| Sat 21 July, 2 & 6pm |
Clovelly Court, Bideford. | 01237 431781 | |
| Sun 22 July, 5pm | Ware Priory, Ware. | 0208 3179000 | |
| Sat 28 July, 6.30pm | Michelham Priory, Hailsham. | 01323 844224 | |
| Sun 29 July, 5pm | Rainham Hall, Rainham. | 0208 3179000 | |
| Weds 1 Aug, 6.30pm | Plas Newydd, Lanfairpwll, Anglesey | 01248 714795 | |
| Fri 3 Aug, 6pm | Waterperry Gardens, Wheatley | 01844 339226 | |
| Sun 5 Aug, 1pm | Bodnant Gardens, Nr Colwyn Bay |
01492 650460 | |
| Thurs 9 Aug, 6.30pm | Haughton Mill, Nr Huntington | 02083179000 | |
| Fri 10 Aug, 6pm | Oxburg Hall, Kings Lynn. | 01366 328258 | |
| Sun 12 Aug, 3.30pm | Holkham Hall, Wells-next-to-Sea. |
01328 713111 | |
| Tues 14 Aug, 2pm | Scotney Castle, Tunbridge Wells |
0870 2404068 | |
| Weds 15 Aug, 7.30pm | Ham House, Richmond. | 0870 4288933 | |
| Thurs 16 Aug, 6pm | Hatchlands Park, Guildford. | 0870 2404068 | |
| Sat 18 Aug, 5.30pm | Harewood House, Leeds. | 0113 2181000 | |
| Sun 19 Aug, 6pm | Dunstable Downs, Dunstable | 0208 3179000 | |
| Tues 21 Aug, 7.30pm | Paignton Green, Paignton | 0208 3179000 | |
| Weds 22 Aug, 730pm | Marine Theatre, Lime Regis | 0297 442138 | |
| Sat 25 Aug, 4.30pm | Heaton Park, Prestwich. | 0208 3179000 | |
| Mon 27 Aug, 2.30pm | Lodge Park, Nr Cheltenham | 08703000579 | |
| Thurs 30 Aug, 6pm | Avebury Manor & Garden, Nr Malborough. |
0208 3179000 | |
| Fri 31 Aug, 3pm | Glastonbury Tor, Glastonbury | 02083179000 | |
| Sat 1 Sept, 2pm | Arundel Festival Fringe, Arendel | 01903 889821 | |
