SSBR at Leigh Maritime Festival

This Sunday, 21st August, we shall be in the Old Town at Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, for the Leigh Maritime Festival.

We shall be in the Scott & Stapleton Maritime Marquee in the car park opposite Leigh Sailing Club.   Barges will be an important theme of the festival this year, with not just SSBR but the Thames Sailing Barge Trust and the Southend Barge Match all taking part.   The three of us will be placed together in a row so you should be able to find us.

There will  be lots going on at various venues across the Old Town, including children’s activities.

The Old Town will be closed to traffic from 10am, but there will be plenty of parking available at Leigh station.   So drop the car off, stroll along past the cockle sheds to get in the mood and join us along the High Street and wharves from 11am.

For the seafaring among you the Lower Thames Rowing Club’s Annual Pier Race is setting off from Bell Wharf at 2pm.   There will be a variety of boats racing to Southend pier and back – a route of over 8 miles – with a sprint finish to arrive back at approximately 3.30pm.

Everyone is invited to Marko Sparko’s Pirate show at 3pm for magic and balloon fun.   Once the tide comes in it’s crabbing lines at the ready with Leigh Round Table – see how many you can catch!

Victoria Wharf will be transformed with deckchairs to host a ‘Seaside Concert Party’ with performances from Leigh and Southend Operatic and Dramatic Societies, Ami Hawthorne, the Yardarm Folk Orchestra and the Hoy Shanty Crew.   Bobs Barbershop and Inspire Theatre Collective will be strolling and performing around the Old Town.   Take a seat, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the show.

Father Clive Hillman from St Clements Church will be blessing the catch as it comes in and a chance to buy the freshest fish of the day!

Then there is TS Implacable and the Sea Cadet Corps on Bell Wharf; exhibitions from the Port of London Authority; artefacts from the “London”, which was wrecked in the estuary in 1665; a 5ft replica sailing barge; the Police launch; Endeavour; live music at the Peterboat; Scott & Stapleton stocks; the … oh just come on down and have a great day!

Feel free to come along in nautical themed dress to add to the occasion.

The event ends at 4 pm.

 

Southend Barge Match on Sunday 28 August