Pets portrayed as pirates by Ukrainian artist

Images of cats, dogs and other animal members of the family such as hamsters or lizards can be turned into amazing portraits of pirates for owners or as personalised gifts for friends by Alex Fayno from Kyiv, Ukraine. A gallery of pet portraits can be seen on www.etsy. com/uk/shop/FaynoUa showing various animals in different guises, including piratical pussies, cyberpunk pugs and royal rabbits.

His work, although remarkably inexpensive, is often given a five-star rating by his customers. A recent comment on his Etsy page speaks for itself. Sara commented: “This was such a great experience from start to finish. Alex was a dream to deal with and he went over and above to make sure I had the perfect print for my parents-inlaw. Alex gave me three different mock-ups to choose from - amazing! I choose the perfect one and then he made it even

Tel: 07796 145911 more beautiful.

“Alex is an artist and will use his artistry to make the portraits perfect. He adds little artistic touches where they’re needed...even working on the pupils so they face the right way. They loved the final result!”

Caption corrections

The main picture on the front of the November issue and the one used to illustrate the marriage of Ian Adams and Liz Brown on page 5 wrongly identified Azza Felliani of The Jolly Rogers –Dorset and the Pirates of Poole as well-known ‘Jax Parrow’ personality Simon Steadman. Based in Eastleigh, Hampshire, professional Cap’n Jack Sparrow impersonator Azza is available for hire at weddings, parties, night clubs, festivals and other events. He can be contacted on instagram.com/ capnjacksparrow4hire.

Although no-one is being made to walk the plank, apologies go to both buccaneers for the mistake.

On page 9, the rose between the two thorns of Frank Sharman and Luke Hardy has now been identified as Elainey Blade of Sea Dragon Pirates (Editor: To avoid such lapses in future issues, I would ask that shots of individuals are accompanied by their full name, together with crew/location where appropriate. Pictures of couples or groups should be named from left to right).

Henry Paye, also known as Harry Page or Arripaye (to the Spanish), was a privateer and smuggler from Poole, Dorset, in the late 14th and early 15th century. He became a commander in the Cinque Ports fleet.

Paye led many naval raids along the coast of France and Spain from Normandy through to the Bay of Biscay and Cape Finisterre.

In 1405, a combined fleet of French and Spanish ships attacked Paye’s native town of Poole. The attackers looted arms and stores, and set fire to a warehouse before they were driven back to their ships by the townspeople. In retaliation, our original pirate attacked and stole a legendary haul, intercepted hundreds of ships for gold, wine, exotic fruits and brought it back to the people of Poole. Many tales are told of townsfolk of Poole drinking for a month.

Therefore, since 1926 our local legend Harry Paye is celebrated in the annual Harry Paye Day, supporting local charities and hosted and organised by the Pirates of Poole, in June.

This year, our popular shindig gets underway on Poole Quay from noon until 6 pm on17 June. Starting with a pirate parade, followed by live music, best-dressed junior pirates competition, children’s treasure hunt and rides, pirate games, live history areas, cannons and many other Harry Paye Day shenanigans (Editor: see advert on page 2).

Paula Allcroft, Pirates of Poole, Poole, Dorset

With the arrival of Spring, I’ve been getting things shipshape for new pirate enterprises.

On 2 April there was a photo-shoot for the steam punk community of Matlock Bath and as we knew there would be a rare opportunity to obtain some good quality shots, my Sea Dragon Pirates took the opportunity to launch one of our craft – Sea Dragon 3.

I now command a fleet of ten vessels ranging from unmanned models up to a craft able to carry me and a crew of one although I must admit that the tenth Sea Dragon is in service as a bar in my garden!