Laying-up The Endeavour

SOUTHEND West MP, Anna Firth, was has attended a sell-out, supper organised by the Endeavour Trust at Chalkwell Park rooms.

The Leigh based Endeavour Trust is a charitable organisation set up in 2001 in order to restore and maintain an historic fishing boat, the Endeavour, from Leigh, to its former glory.

Ms Firth said: “I was delighted to attend my first laying-up supper as a member of the Endeavour Trust and it was a pleasure to meet other members and the committee who do such a good job of keeping this living part of Leigh’s famous maritime history afloat and in such good condition.

“I was delighted to learn more about the Trust and its vital work. The Endeavour is such an important part of our heroic war-time heritage that preserving it for generations to come must be a priority for all of us.

“Time permitting, I would love to volunteer to crew such a famous vessel.”

David Norman MBE, Chairman of the Endeavour Trust, added: “During the 16th and 17th centuries, Leigh port had an excellent reputation for re-fitting war-damaged ships, particularly, during the Dutch wars.

“Ships would set sail from Leigh well-equipped and with a full complement of able seamen.

Should a captain be short of a sailor or two a group of strong men would go out late at night, accost unsuspecting drinkers and press-gang them into the King’s navy.

“Sadly such techniques are no longer available today and so “the Endeavour” must rely on able-bodied volunteers to make up her crew.

“Should anybody be interested in helping sail the most famous cockle boat in England we would love to hear from them.”

Visit: facebook.com/EndeavourTrustLeigh/?locale=en_GB.

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