NOVEMBER 2018
ISSUE 2
£2 November 2018 ● Pirate Plunder
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Pirate Plunder c November 2018
Volume 1 Number 2 November 2018 Pirate Plunder is an independent title published twice a year in May and November for the pirate brethren of the British Isles by Young Editorial Services. The paper aims to support the non-violent plundering of the populace of coastal towns and inland counties for the benefit of worthy charities throughout the British Isles by promoting maritime festivals or other nautical events where charitable pirates are to be found.
EDITORIAL Cap’n Davy Young Young Editorial Services 52 Rickman Hill, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 3DP Tel: 01737 551687 Mob: 07785 796826 E: youngeditorial1@btinternet.com
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hat turned out to be a beautiful Summer put a charge under the charitable plundering of visitors to many Pirate Festivals in 2018. A possible clash of piratical events was narrowly avoided in a clever manoeuvre by the organisers of the Rhos-on-Sea Pirate Weekend, who changed tack to avoid a collision with The Original Conwy Pirate Festival as this would have been of no benefit to either event. Both festivals are scheduled to take place again next year, this time with a three-week gap between them (see page 23). The weather, particularly our changeable climate is, of course, subject to the whims of nature and it has to be said that Harry Paye Day in Poole didn’t attract the crowds that were expected and the Brotherhood of the Black Pirate Festival was, as Helen Prentice told me, “rained out and nobody came other than the people who were camping as participants”. This was extremely disappointing after all the Brotherhood’s efforts to put on a good show, particularly as the unrelenting torrential rain the event endured came in the middle of a heatwave! Despite this setback, it will return in 2019. Pirate Plunder itself will gain an extra issue next year, being published in May, August and November. Until then, let all Pirate Brethren raise a tankard this Christmastide to the charities we support and those less fortunate than ourselves.
PRODUCTION Anthony Wiffen ASTAC Business Publishing Ltd Tel: 01622 850063 Mob: 07557 280769 E: anton_print_1@mac.com
News from the pirate brethren of the British Isles.
PRINTING Advanced Print 170-172 Brighton Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2NE Tel: 020 8668 1411 E: info@advanced-print.com www.advanced-print.com
Signals from readers about the first issue of Pirate Plunder, which left the Editor grateful that more pirates offered to stand him a tot of rum than wanted him keel-hauled!
ISSN 2516-5607 ©2018 Young Editorial Services
Front cover. Main image: Dick Trucker (AKA Dirty Dick) is the man with the smoking blunderbuss at Sheppey Pirate Festival. Inset: Liliya Worthington (AKA Three Sheets) and Skelly Woolett of the Sheppey Pirates seem to have discovered the rum store (pictures courtesy of Wayne Agnew Photography).
The River Rogues, a pirate re-enactment society based in the Oxford area, makes every effort to portray ‘real pirates’ from history during the period (1680-1730 (the Golden Age of Piracy). Musings dated 13th May, 1673, from the journal of Captain James Summer, whose nose for trouble results in him being cornered by Little Jim (6 ft 8 in) and his entourage at the Drunken Monkey and losing his quartermaster, Davy, to kidnappers. Reports with pictures about five pirate festivals from different points of the compass in the British Isles.
Article by Susan Hanley-Place, MBE, examines the background of infamous women pirates renowned for their abilities and prowess in what was an uncompromisingly male environment. A visit by ‘Kaskelot’, one of the largest wooden square-riggers in the world, will be a highlight of the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival from 14-16 June, next year, and there will be an opportunity to sail on her. Weapons, clothing, boots, hats, eye patches, earrings, tankards for grog and all manner of gear for the discerning pirate. List of active pirate crews from the coast of South Devon up to the shores of the Forth and Clyde. Calendar of festivals either organised by pirates or likely to be subject to a pirate attack.
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Jack Sparrow eyes up Disney ‘Meet and Greet’ wench Redd.
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hen the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ ride reopened at Disneyland Paris on 24 July, guests discovered a band of new buccaneers had been introduced to the iconic attraction, which was the original inspiration for Disney’s ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series of films. Captain Barbossa appears for the first time, joining a skeletal crew in a scene unique to Disneyland Paris. Ghostly visages of Davy Jones and Blackbeard also warn visitors that “dead men do tell tales!” The show has been enhanced with new Audio-Animatronics figures, costumes, special effects, lighting and sound, including 4
some of the musical The interior of the establishment has been themes from the restaurant has been staffed with a funfilms such as the re-themed and the loving crew of pirates. classic ‘A Pirates Life for Me!’ song that will continue to underscore the attraction. One familiar character, the f lamehaired Redd, is now playing a new role having been freed from her bonds as a ‘wench for sale’ and joined the ranks of the pirates in the Mercado auction. Disneyland Paris guests will also discover some changes to the Blue Lagoon Restaurant, which is Seen here considering her next raid on the stalls at this year’s Purbeck Pirate Festival, Liz Brown is a member of now called Captain the committee running the long-established Pirates of Jack’s. It seems that Poole, which was the subject of ‘Spyglass’ in the first issue he won the restaurant of Pirate Plunder. When not enjoying a life of pillage and in a wager and is now plunder, she is active in her role as Events Co-ordinator for the crew. This task is about to become even busier as welcoming pirates of the Pirates of Poole begin to prepare for Harry Paye Day all ages to relax over on 15 June, which marks the 600th anniversary of the a drink and hot meal. death of Dorset’s best-known pirate.
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n 2019, Harry Paye Day will mark the 600th anniversary of his death, so the Pirates of Poole want to make the celebration of Harry’s life on 15 June better than ever! The event has enjoyed some brilliant successes over the years and the Pirates, and the charities they support, cannot thank those who turned out in previous years enough. The event hosts live bands and entertainment for all the family to enjoy.
The grand Pirates Parade starts at noon
and this is followed by a children’s best pirate
competition for various age groups and then the merriment begins, providing an exciting day out for visitors to the quayside of this Dorset town on the edge of Poole Harbour. The Pirates of Poole are looking for stallholders, entertainers and volunteers to help out on the day and will be seeking extra sponsors for what will be a very special occasion. Pirates or anyone interested in supporting the event should e-mail: info@ piratesofpoole.co.uk
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hank ye, kindly, for shippin’ me copies o’ Pirate Plunder! What a splendid gift ye’ve created for the brethren (and sistren) o’ the United Kingdom! It’s a beautifully-crafted periodical choc full o’ information and avenues o’ interest to the savvy pirate. I do apologize for takin’ so long to reach out to ye, but I’ve been up and down the West Coast from Oregon to Seattle – all the way down to Long Beach (Los Angeles) and back again, but I’m in me home port once more before shippin’ out for further adventures. Before that, I wanted to take a moment to say what a splendid thing ye’ve done – uniting the rogues o’ the British Isles with such a beautiful (and informative) journal! I salute ye (and those handsome devils from the Colonies what started that ‘International Talk Like a Pirate Day’ nonsense even have a wee feature .... good on ye)! Keep us up-to-date on events and happenings in yer neck o’ the seven seas! One day, I hope to return (I was last in the UK in 1995) and celebrate with my mates whot already sound like proper pirates! Well, I’m off to splice the mainbrace! Keep yer powder dry, yer cutlery sharp and yer rum ... well, thar be no keepin’ that, so just hoist one for Ol’ Chumbucket and meself! Fair winds and followin’ seas! Cap’n Slappy Oregon, USA
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Purchased a copy of your excellent Pirate Plunder whilst on holiday up in Conwy last week and would be eager to get my hands on your second issue. I spent four years in the Merchant Navy when I was younger. Whilst at sea, I have been in collision, run aground, and abandoned ship in the Bay of Biscay, so consider it in my blood to be a real pirate – oh Arrr. Phil Pepworth (AKA Black Rat) Burnham-on-Sea, Somerset Thank you for the Pirate Plunder copies, which were well received with lots of positive comments. Toby Tunstall, The Original Conwy Pirate Festival, Conwy, North Wales The magazines you sent have arrived and they look brilliant. We will distribute them to appropriate people and event organisers on our travels over the next couple of months. Anyway, Pirate Plunder looks great and we are chuffed to bits to be featured in the first issue. We wish you well and hope it is great success. Fair winds, calm seas and high distribution figures to ye. Bazz Cooper (AKA Swillin’ Billy Flynn) The Pirates of St. Piran, Cornwall
I really enjoyed reading your magazine, Pirate Plunder. In my humble opinion, it’s what is needed in the UK, a new refreshing project catering for Pirate Re-enactment Groups. I’m pleased to wish your venture every success. Dave Farrar (AKA Davy Sharkeye) Runcorn, River Mersey Thanks so much for sending me the first issue – it’s a cracker! I’m absolutely sure the scurvy crew of PUBCAT will want personal copies to read in their hammocks, so would be grateful for another 35 copies. Claudia McPhail, Piratical Union of Buccaneers, Corsairs and Associated Trades, West Lothian I peruse ‘The Oldie’ with the same sense of delight and, like that very funny magazine, the ‘Plunderer’ is a bloody good read! Cannon Master Bloodnok Leigh-on-Sea, Essex I was very excited when the pirate magazine came in the post and liked to see the pictures of real pirates. I also liked learning about Captain Kidd. Pirate Jack (Tar) Sikes aged 6 years 10 months Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
In addition to meself, Cap’n Davy, the crew of Pirate Plunder consists of youngest son Michael (AKA Captain James Summer) and his wench, Pirate Rose, who both signed articles for the first issue, and we’ve now been joined by me own dear wench, Saucy Sue, who came aboard after purchasing a tricorn hat at Tewkesbury Medieval Festival this year. Well, you have to be dressed for the voyage. Apart from our eldest son, Feckful Pete, who‘s marooned on an island (Isle of Wight that is – he lives in Cowes), we are now a true pirate family with the motto: ‘The family that slays together stays together’!
Just to say I think you have an excellent magazine and to thank you for sending me out a copy in such a timely manner. I would like to continue to receive a copy each time you publish, by post if this could be done, please. Joanne Lavender Wrexham, North Wales
Cap’n Davy sends his thanks to those who took the trouble to send him a signal about the first issue of Pirate Plunder, some of which are published above. He’s also grateful that more pirates offered to stand him a tot of rum than wanted him keel-hauled! In future issues, ‘Broadside’ will give pirates of the British Isles the chance to have their say on just about anything that affects the way they go about their business of plundering treasure for the benefit of the worthy charities they support. The Cap’n would like to hear about organisations that should be praised for supporting their efforts and is also keen as a cutlass to award ‘The Black Spot’ to those who deserve censure.
Pirate Jack (Tar) Sikes aged 6 years 10 months.
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ccording to Paul Winters, River Rogues was born on 13 June, 2008, with just three members. Pirates and the history of pirates had always been a keen interest of his and he joined a pirate group based in and around Swansea in 2001. However, due to his interest in taking part in full living history events, Paul decided to start up his own group in 2008 and the River Rogues, a pirate reenactment society based in the Oxford area, was formed. As a group, it owns a 12 ft x 12 ft living history tent displaying how pirates existed whilst on shore. The society also has many display items, such as musket ball-making equipment, a fire pit
The River Rogues dressed to kill. for traditional cooking and the pirate’s treasure chest, which is always a big hit with the children. Members can learn how to use a sword, pistols, blunderbuss or cannon. Training is also given in how to safely handle pole arms, knives and other small arms. This takes place during the Winter months and when Summer comes,
the society carries out a risk assessment before any event. It is, of course, fully covered by public liability insurance. Cancer Research and the MS Society are just two charities that have benefitted from the activities of the River Rogues and the society has also raised money for Forge Mill and
Teaching a young rogue Action stations on the deck of Swanage Pier for to make musket balls. which the River Rogues raised money. Pirate Plunder ● November 2018 8
Museum at Redditch by putting on an event and providing living history and displays for the general public. Another favourite was the Purbeck Pirate Festival in Dorset (2016/17) where money was raised for the Swanage Pier Trust. Other past events have been held at the Dean Heritage Centre in The Forest of Dean and Paul has taken part in the Brixham Pirate Festival since 2003. The River Rogues prides itself on supporting other pirate groups all across the country. As a group, it makes every effort to portray ‘real pirates’ from history during the period 1680-1730 (the Golden Age of Piracy). New members are always welcome and membership forms can be downloaded from Facebook (see link on page 22).
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13th May, 1673
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elicitations of the day to you, fellow traveller. I take up my quill today with hands grimed with blood and ale, and a heart burdened with shame… also, I ripped my best doublet and my hat smells of chicken stew. Draw close as I unfold to you a tale of drunkenness, debauchery and poor decision-making that would make Bacchus blush. When last we spoke, my quartermaster, Davy, had run into a most promising opportunity in the way of two drunk East India trading company deckhands, who’d obtained documents and schedules very valuable to men of wit and resource. We’d arranged to meet in The Drunken Monkey on the evening of 13th May. It’s normally good policy to ignore anything Davy says after a night on the grog, particularly if he’s been drinking whisky. We were persuaded, however, and so we found ourselves barrelling down there on a balmy summer’s evening, saluted by waving palms and underscored by the ever-present sound of cicadas. There is a certain heat you find in the West Indies that appears only rarely in England; it’s an oppressive, somnolent, droning heat that will only be broken by a storm and if the weather doesn’t oblige, inevitably it is man who will provide it. As the day grows old, you’ll watch careless words birth disagreement, disagreement give way to threats and threats lead to fights. This is particularly true of the Drunken Monkey, an establishment which owing to the long experience of its vendor, is now furnished exclusively with the cheapest furniture and most easily-replaced windows to be found in Port Royal.
darkblade Pirate Stuff www.Darkbladeuk.co.uk 2018 2018 November 10 Pirate Plunder ● May
Our contacts were not to be seen when we arrived, so we ordered a bottle of Rumbullion special and took our ease around a dark corner table. Twas a merry evening and Davy was in fine form, using his inventive mind to alternately cheek and compliment the tavern girls. Even Chalky was in jesting mood, an event so rare you had to grasp it while it lasted, and we were through the bottle and into the next before our heads had caught up with our thirst. At this point, I’m afraid, I am forced to rely partially on hearsay and rumour to continue the tale as my memory is somewhat hazy. I remember Chalky breaking up a scuffle between two drunkards and (inscrutably) forcing them to swap shoes. I remember Davy stumbling across the bar to say hello to someone’s dog, only to discover it was their bag, and I remember betting the barmaid a shilling that I could climb the tavern wall using only the very tips of my toes and my mouth. What I don’t remember, is being hoisted across Chalky’s shoulders and spun like a Dervish in the middle of the tavern. “Wheeeee!” I purportedly shouted. This was swiftly succeeded by “Wheeeee.. AAAAARGHHHHH!” as Chalky lost his balance and flung me on to a table filled with mugs of ale and plates of food. I found myself face down in a bowl of stew. Raising my head I looked straight into the furious eyes of a…woman? I’ll say woman only because I don’t think inexpertly shaved gorillas wear makeup. Looking around, it appeared they were all female, all covered in the remnants of their erstwhile meal and all rising angrily to their feet, clutching assorted weapons. I had just enough time to assemble what I hoped was a winning smile and say “lovely stew” before all hell broke loose. The gorilla woman and two of her more comely associates hauled me up by the throat and threw me back at Chalky and Davy, who at this point were bent
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We stormed through the doors to find our path blocked by a rough semi-circle of tavern regulars standing round an outside table, one of whom could only be Little Jim, the tavern keeper. I knew Little Jim by reputation, tall as a mainmast, strong as an ox, can carry two brawling drunkards in each hand, by their necks – you know, the kind of exaggerated half-truths that get thrown about when someone’s livelihood depends on a fierce reputation. Looking at him through the rum fog, however, he really only looked about as tall as me and maybe half again as wide. So with rum-fuelled courage and a wide-eyed Chalky desperately shaking his head Little Jim (6 ft 8 in) and his entourage corner the heroic Captain Summer outside the Red Lion at me, I told ‘Little Jim’ exactly what I thought of him, in Swanage, Dorset, masquerading here as the his so-called tavern and his shabby clientele, who’d just Drunken Monkey. kidnapped my shipmate. double with laughter. I recall rather muzzily thinking I It was only as I was reaching the end of this fullywas spending an awful lot of time airborne these days, justified rant that I realised ‘Little Jim’ was clearly an before I slammed into my shipmates, knocking Davy to ironic name, as despite being currently the same height the floor and causing Chalky to spill his ale down the as me, he was, in fact, still sitting down. He unfolded back of a man-mountain, who looked more like he’d from his chair and kept on unfolding, taking me by the been constructed in a shipyard than naturally birthed. throat along for the ride. Flint to flash pan and spark to powder; the powder in For the third time that night I found myself rising this case being a tavern full of sun-broiled, rum-soaked… through the air, this time to be slammed against the well… pirates. The room erupted with violence and the outside wall of the tavern. At this bleakest of points, I aforementioned cheap furniture was smashed to flinders. had my first touch of luck, when the doors burst open Chalky swung on the ceiling fixed candelabra briefly and the brawl spilled into the street, scattering Jim’s before his weight tore it out, leaving him groaning on entourage and giving him something more pressing to his back under a light patina of plaster dust. The man deal with than me and my bosun. mountain turned out to have a glass jaw much to my We sent some of the men out with instructions to surprise and quietly snoozed through all but the first five find out what happened to Davy. It was late morning minutes. before we struck gold. A beggar, who had spoken to the Discretion being the better part of valour, I myself kidnappers, didn’t know their names, but he knew their lasted a full 30 seconds hiding under a nearby table ship. ‘The Fools Errand’, a schooner bound for Haiti, before being dragged out by the bootstraps and forced to had left with the tide before our monstrous hangovers defend myself, suffering most heinous sartorial vandalism awoke us both. Now, we must make wave for Haiti from in the process. I really liked that doublet too. where I will update my journal. ‘Till then, when the I lost the end of the evening to rum, rage and night’s dark and the winds blow, keep your blade sharp, retribution! Unfortunately, our memories aren’t all we let the rum flow. lost. Having spotted Davy being carried out of the tavern by some ill-favoured fellows of Spanish appearance, we extricated ourselves from the fray to rush outside and retrieve him.
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www.piratesofpenryn.com Because yer never too old to play pirates !
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Here be reports about five pirate festivals from different points of the compass in the British Isles
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he third annual Purbeck Pirate Festival, run by Swanage & Purbeck Rotary Club in collaboration with the Purbeck Pirates, was an outstanding success as the late May Bank Holiday weekend saw the Dorset town of Swanage bathed in glorious sunshine and record-breaking temperatures. Official re-enactors came from up and down the country to put on displays of cannon and musket fire, sword-fighting and skirmishes – this year even saw the addition of a real-life Mermaid to join in the fun! Jax Parrow was on hand throughout the weekend once more to ensure everything was ‘savvy’ and everyone was having a good time! Sandpit Field was turned into a living history piratical encampment for the weekend, offering children the chance to let their hair down and enjoy some pirate-themed fun and games, as well as seeing them dance the evening away with the Scooby Crew at the ever-popular kids’ pirate disco. Bartholomew Leach, the Pirate Surgeon, spent much of his time amputating limbs and sewing up horriblyinjured pirates during the weekend, assisted by his medical team and gruesome medical equipment. Swanage’s own Steph Shepherd unfortunately lost a leg, which had to be amputated without anaesthetic, to the delight (and squirms) of the gathered audience. This year saw the addition of the Purbeck Pirate Parade, snaking its way from Sandpit Field down to Monkey Beach, arriving in time to watch the skirmish between the King’s Men and the pirates, ably assisted by Jax Parrow, who, as usual, waited until the final moments before stealing the fought-over cargo! Mermaid, Karma Siren, joined the festival this year for the first time and was made an honorary member of the Purbeck Pirates. Children and adults were awestruck as they watched her swim up to Monkey Beach, iridescent tail glinting in the sunshine. It transpires that mermaids 12 Pirate Plunder ● November 2018
Captain Teague and Jax Parrow were pictured with this feisty young pirate called ‘Stitch’ and Pirate Surgeon Bartholomew Leach (port side, below) was kept busy making work for the peg leg industry (pictures courtesy of Tim Crabb). are real after all, so if you missed Karma Siren this year, she has already confirmed that she’ll be splashing around Swanage Bay in 2019. This festival continues to run almost entirely on goodwill alone, with no real budget to speak of. Local people, volunteers and those attending either to help out or perform from further away do so each year without charging for their efforts, which many of them also do for similar events. Swanage & Purbeck Rotary Club covered the costs of insurance and printing, and Swanage Town Council sponsored the black powder for the skirmishes. Around £2,000 was raised over the weekend in donations, which will be distributed to Rotary-supported charities. The Pirate Festival team wishes to acknowledge its immense pride in respect of the community spirit, extremely friendly atmosphere and ethos of support and collaboration that imbued this flourishing local festival and they extend their gratitude to all involved. The organisers are already forging ahead with plans for next year’s Purbeck Pirate Festival, which will be held once again during the late May Bank Holiday from 24-27 May, 2019. If any businesses wish to sponsor the 2019 festival and get involved, please contact Kaptain Kracken (AKA Kev) by e-mail: lilkev@email.com
Situated in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, the town of Northwich lies in the heart of the Cheshire Plain at the confluence of the rivers Weaver and Dane. The Northwich River Festival, which took place on 14-15 July, was organised by volunteers from The Northwich Rotary Club, with the support of The Canal and River Trust, Baron’s Quay, Northwich Town Council, Northwich Business Improvement District and Cheshire West and Chester Council. The aim of the Festival was to celebrate the town’s two rivers, raise the profile of Northwich and, most importantly, raise funds for The Alzheimer’s Society, The Royal National A motley crew in action at the Northwich River Festival (picture courtesy of Christian Dobbie). Lifeboat Institution and other Rotary causes.
The Original Conwy Pirate Festival in North Wales was the opportunity to see her up close and learn organised by the town’s Chamber of Comerce from something about the lives of pirates from the days of 15-17 June provided visitors with the spectacle sail. of pirates equipped with cutlasses, muskets and Mandy Willis, one of the strikingly attractive lady blunderbusses. There were also several canons pirates taking part in the Festival, asked talented adding to the general air of excitement. The event cast off with a fine pirate shindig at the Blue Bell tavern on Castle Street on Friday evening with live music from The Wee Bag Band. As a concession to landlubbers, free priority entry was given to all those who came suitably attired! Action began in earnest on Saturday and Sunday with the ‘Vilma’ crewed by bloodthirsty cutthroat pirates sailing in and attacking the quay! After a fierce fire fight with cannon and musket between the ‘Vilma’ and the forces holding the quay, there was a desperate hand-to-hand struggle on the quayside as the pirates attempted This image of pirates attending the Original Conwy Pirate Festival was taken to land attempt. Once the in a local churchyard and is a composite of individual photos combined using vessel had moored, there Photoshop (picture courtesy of Sharon Prenton Jones). November 2018 ● Pirate Plunder
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local photographer Sharon Prenton Jones, whose credentials include a number of photography distinctions (DPAAGB, EFIEP/s, BPE4*) to take some images of the weekend and send an example to Pirate Plunder. Sharon only picked up her first camera six years and admits to becoming obsessed with her hobby. Since then, she has taken early retirement and become competent in the use of Adobe Photoshop.
When asked by the Editor what attracted her to pirates, she explained, “It’s the variety of people who put real effort and energy into their costumes and presentation. Indeed, it’s hard to take a poor portrait of a pirate as everyone I’ve met seems enthusiastic and willing to pose for a photo”. Any other festivals or pirate societies wishing to employ Sharon’s skills can contact her by e-mail: prentonjonesphotography@gmail.com
The Sheppey Pirates set sail in the year 1993, voyaging around the re-enactment circuit bringing fun, thrills, living history and education to the public, while gallantly collecting donations for the RNLI. According to Mark Jenkins (AKA Mad Dog), the crew has also become renowned for the authenticity of the kit worn by its crew and the knowledge of 17th Century history by the society’s Captains. This year, Sheppey celebrated its 25th anniversary by holding a Pirate Pitch Party at the excellent venue that is Sheppey Rugby Football Club. Pirate crews, including The River Rogues, The Greyhounds, Hearts of Oak, Tempus Experimenta and Brixham Buccaneers, travelled across the country to take part in the Sheppey Pirate Festival. Naughty Nik Lawson (Captain Jack Sparrow) and his crew arrived courtesy of the horsepower provided by the Black Pearl, a beautifully custom-painted van with props based on the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films. The large pirates’ careening camp, with its own surgeon (Bartholomew Leech), hosted traders, live music (supported by DTS Sound and Music),
Fun Fair, Starcrossed Fairies, BRFM Local Radio, open air cinema, Black Powder gunnery displays, swordsmanship by The Greyhounds, a Skirmish, a spirited game of ‘Soak the Pirate’ by the children (Poor Skelly), sword practise with foam swords for the children and finally, the presentation of a live Mermaid (Olivia Blore) to Captain Cutlass (Ade Collins). Captain Winters (River Rogues) commanded a 25-gun salute for Captain Cutlass and Captain Anne Bonny (June Collins), the organisers of Sheppey Pirates. The event was rounded off by an exotic Pirate Feast cooked by the lovely Tracey West and served by M.C. for the Feast, Bart Rouge (Neil West), and crew members. There was also a surprise presentation from the crew organised by Shifty (Gayle Redrup). Special thanks are due to Sheppey Rugby Football Club, Swale Borough Council for their continued support, Sheppey Event Marshalling Group, D.J. Tracey Topsom and Scurvy Dog the sea scribe (John Nurden), as well as Wigglesworth Haulage for their amazingly fast and generous support.
The Sheppey Pirates were out in strength to celebrate their 25th anniversary at Sheppey Rugby Football Club (picture courtesy of Wayne Agnew Photography). 14 Pirate Plunder ● November 2018
“The aim of The Matlock Bath Pirate Mutiny,” said co-organiser Victoria Allen, “is to create an annual community event that draws tourists and locals alike to visit Matlock Bath and its attractions”. Celebrating all things ‘piratey’, this relatively new event has expanded from its base at The Fishpond Freehouse and the latest ‘Mutiny’ took over the Derbyshire town from 3-5 August. The hub of the weekend was a 17th Century Pirate Market, which included entertainment for the entire family, a pirate picnic, live music and pirate shenanigans. As the event drew to a close, shops in the village were saluted for their amazing window displays, helping out and getting involved with the treasure hunt. Also praised were the stallholders, who baked in the sunshine for two days down in the Derwent Gardens, all the pirates and general public, who came out to see Wayne and Sarah tie the knot during their ‘pirate
What wench could resist these two handsome pirates (picture courtesy of Christopher Doyle Photography). wedding’, the local pubs for putting on some excellent live music for the weekend, the musicians and bands, who played during the day and night for reduced fees or for free, and the local council, who helped to facilitate the event. Thanks were also given to Crich Tramway Museum, Gullivers Kingdom, Heights of Abraham, Alton Towers, Oxygen Free Jumping and The Matlock Bath Boats for their kind donations of competition prizes. Finally, the valuable efforts of Richard and his team at Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance Service were congratulated for ensuring collection boxes were available everywhere! November 2018 ● Pirate Plunder
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By Susan Hanley-Place, MBE*
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hen the dawn came up like thunder in the South China Seas of the early 19th century, it was often the voices of the Red Flag Fleet’s cannons – up to 300 pirate junks, which controlled the coast under the command of Ching Shi. On the weathered West Coast of Ireland in the 16th Century, a powerful pirate fleet was led by Grainne O’Malley. Both of these women were renowned for their ability to command the loyalty of a host of fighting sailors, maintain a rule of law in essentially lawless situations and negotiate with governments. Having myself commanded a 110 ft Brigantine for two decades (during which our crew team also rebuilt and re-rigged the ship), the immense responsibility these women held is a fascination. Both inherited their positions, Ching Shi from her husband and Grainne from her father. In neither of their societies were women anticipated to captain ships, command men and especially not to live by piracy, yet they were clearly respected and considered up to the mark. Female pirates who most engage our attention nowadays are Anne Bonny and Mary Read, who briefly sailed the Caribbean with ‘Calico Jack’ Rackham in the early 18th Century. Through their stories we can perceive the age they inhabited. I was searching for a pirate character. Schools were asking us for a ‘Pirate Experience’ to support education programmes to engage with children deemed ‘resistant to learning’. In the lamplit foc’sle of the Ship, we developed storytelling – a deeper and more fearsome experience than costumed actors swaggering in a classroom. We then challenged them to imagine themselves as pirates, get on-line to research more of the history and, above all, pick up a pencil and write their own imaginary story. It was intended to encourage literacy and it worked. Every character the pupils met had to be real and researchable. As the lead Storyteller, I developed an older Anne Bonny, weaving her story in with Mary Read and Calico Jack; other crew became Frenchy Hawkins and Blackbeard. As I researched Anne and Mary, a particular truth jumped forward; this was 16 Pirate Plunder ● November 2018
The author dressed to launch a newly brewed beer – Pirate Brethren Ruby – at the Baltic Fleet pub in Liverpool, originally a meeting place for squarerigger sailors. how inadequate the position of women was in their time. Antonia Fraser’s ‘The Weaker Vessel’ explores the position of women in that society and helped me understand why once they had dressed as men to go out into a wider world, they would not want to ‘do skirts’ again. My years at sea also informed this. I had experienced a close camaraderie with an unusually varied bunch of people, sharing demanding experiences at sea, which remain with us years later and hold us together. We were sailing the Ship to Maritime Festivals at which we re-enacted a Pirate Ship Battle that became so popular with festival organisers that we were booked time and again, becoming the only modern training ship financially supported by piracy!
So how did two women become infamous pirates board ships. This was one tough woman. and end up before a hanging judge in Jamaica in Whilst Mary was still a professional fighting man, 1719? Both stories begin in infancy, as their mothers Anne found herself in the alien environment of found it necessary to disguise little girls as little Charleston wearing skirts and corsets. Anne seems boys. There are various accounts of their lives and to have been propositioned for marriage by a young we need to be quite careful of what we accept as man who, on being refused, said her mother was a definitive facts, but the essential truth seems to be thief and tried to rape her, upon which she stabbed that both these women spent their childhoods in him and ran away to the harbour. At a guess, she the pretence that they were males. As a result, both had already been down to the waterfront dressed experienced far greater freedoms and opportunities in her male clothing. Once there, she met young than they would have as females and it is entirely sailor James Bonny and now suggested they marry reasonable to assume that neither would wish to in the Sailors Church on the quayside. They then surrender these when the necessity for the pretence went away to sea with Anne dressed as a boy. She was finished. must have been horrified by the alternatives on The woman we call Anne Bonny was born in land. Cork, the daughter of a lawyer and his original Somewhere in the Caribbean Anne and Mary met sweetheart. William Cormack’s upward mobility on board Calico Jack’s ship. They had in common meant he married a wealthy woman and his an uncommon experience, which gave them a sweetheart lived-in as his housekeeper. He decided greater appreciation of the freedoms we take for to bring their daughter up as a boy, in the pretence granted in our times, including the close bonds that (s)he was a cousin’s son apprenticed as his forged by seafaring under sail. So why become clerk. This gave her an education, which at that pirates? Perhaps it was because it gave them a greater time was not considered necessary for girls – not determination of their own lives than they could only literacy, but languages, including Latin, bookhave experienced ashore….and not a corset in sight. keeping and knowledge of the law. Eventually, his wife discovered the truth and publicly accused *Susan founded the Liverpool Pirate Brethren in the housekeeper of stealing silver spoons from 1991, having taken on the Brigantine ZEBU in 1988 her. Surprisingly, compared to the mores of the on the Ship’s return from a Circumnavigation of time, but true to his heart, William decamped the World. Since then, she has presented historical to Charleston, Carolina, with his sweetheart and re-enactments on the River Mersey and Irish Sea daughter where he set up a new practise. Now there ports, deploying black powder cannons, authentic was no need to pretend Anne was a boy and she costuming and scenarios. was expected to wear dresses and become a marriageable girl. This did not sit well with her; if it had, she would not have a place in pirate history. Mary Read was brought up as a boy, so that her widowed mother could ask her former motherin-law for an allowance to bring (him) up, which would not have been paid for a girl. When the mother-in-law died, 13-year old Mary was found a position as a page boy. Soon afterwards, she ran away to join the army and served as a mercenary in the Lowlands, where she married a soldier. They set up an inn together, but when he was killed she went off again, this time joining up as a fighting man on Infamous women pirates Anne Bonny (left) and Mary Read. November 2018 ● Pirate Plunder
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A
visit by ‘Kaskelot’, one of the largest wooden square-riggers in the world, will be a highlight of the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival from 14-16 June, next year. Built in 1948, the three-masted barque will take part in the Falmouth Classics, which traditionally runs alongside the International Sea Shanty
Although it would be a tall tale to describe pirate metal band Alestorm’s ‘Drink’ as a shanty, it should appeal to any buccaneer what’s keen on beer, rum and wenches. This rumbustious ditty comes from an album called Sunset on the Golden Age. You can find it on Youtube at ://youtu.
be/f55CqLc6IR0 or buy the album from Napalm Records, whose website contains a full list o’ the band’s music and merchandise. Just go to the link below and ye’ll find the album on page 2 of the Alestorm section. More information from www.napalmrecords. com
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Festival. The Classics will bring together hundreds of traditional boats and provide a spectacular backdrop to Falmouth during the Festival weekend. In addition to joining the ‘Parade of Sail’ on the Sunday, ‘Kaskelot’ is also offering a series of sailing trips that can be booked via the ship’s website: www.tallshipkaskelot.com
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Baldrics, Sword Belts, Leatherwork , Documents,Sea Charts and more...
Penzance Harbour
Ahoy Shipmates! The Bag O’ Rags is not only home to Capt. Bones and Cutlass Clare but also is a floating pirate shop, open to the public from Easter until October, moored in Penzance Harbour. For the past 14 years we have built up our business and promoted and organised the ‘Pirates on the Prom’ pirate event in our home town of Penzance. Look out for the date of the next event! This year we are also visiting other pirate events throughout the UK and are available to bring our pirate stall with us...not the boat, unfortunately. We stock not only the piratical accessories to bring out ‘Yer inner pirate’ but also piratical weaponry, Gothic, Steam-Punk, and Celtic jewellery and tee shirts, clothing and much more. So we hope to see you at one of the pirate events in 2018. If not visit us at www.bagorags.co.uk, Facebook; @pirateBagORags or follow us on Twitter @bagorags1 “Fer all your pirate t-shirts, toys, hats and flags, come aboard and visit us at the Bag O’ Rags.”
BagoRags_PP_May_2018.indd 1
04/05/2018 November 2018 ● Pirate Plunder
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14:51
Pusser’s ‘Gunpowder Proof’ Rum
F
or more than three centuries, the daily ration of Pusser’s Navy Rum, which is now available from Nauticalia, brought cheer to British sailors the world over. Pusser’s rum was first introduced for crews working in the tropics (where traditional English ale spoilt rapidly) in 1655, but soon became standard issue across the fleet. The daily ration of
rum was controlled by the purser or pusser, hence the name, and only ceased in 1970 when the navy decided alcohol should be made available on a normal social basis. ‘Gunpowder Proof’ is the strength required so that, if spilt on gunpowder, the powder will still ignite. The rum is sold in 70cl bottles and has an ABV of 54.5%. More information from www.nauticalia.com
Southern Swords
Sustainable pirate fashion
Who said Pirates don’t care about the environment? Luluna Clothing is a ‘Mother and Daughter’ team creating tailored clothing and hats for pirates (male and female). They operate on the ecologically-sound principle of producing recycled garments with as little environmental impact as possible. All of their fabrics are high quality brocades, velvets, satins, wools, felt and leather, which are sourced as remnants from end-of-line fabric collections. This enables them to create bespoke items in a sustainable way. A positive advantage to buyers is that they won’t see another pirate wearing
their outfit! Even the team’s own scrap material is recycled, with the larger pieces going to the scrap store and the smaller pieces to the fabric recycling plant. More information from www.lulunaclothing. wixsite.com/upcycle
BOB calendar
Pirate - Renaissance & All Costume Wearers Contact Us For All Your Needs At:www. southernswords.co.uk 20 Pirate Plunder ● November 2018
The Brotherhood Of the Black (BOB) calendar for 2019 is just what savvy pirates need to hang in their cabins or send as welcome gifts to other rogues. The saucy pirates shedding their inhibitions in the BOB 2019 calendar can be treasured over a full year for the modest price of £10 plus £2 p&p (UK) via paypal@dillydog. co.uk Congratulations are due to an eye-catching production that features the wonderful photography of David Stevens, the meticulous editing and printing of
Tim Ruxey Gorringe and the beautiful artwork of Julie Gorringe. Money raised will go to the Breast Cancer Unit at University Hospital Wales in Cardiff. More information from julie@dillydog.co.uk
Pirate sabre for close combat and repelling boarders
Probably developed by the British Navy, which was looking for a weapon as optimal for close combat as it was for countering attempts to board ship, this sabre from The Pirate Shop meets these requirements and its very wide fuller (a groove along the flat side of the blade) makes it extremely light to wield. The thick, single-edged blade of a slightly curved naval sabre could easily slice through the ropes attached to a grappling hook and turn around
to pierce an enemy at close quarters. The design quickly caught on and was adopted by ships that flew the black flag. The hardwood grip is comfortable to hold and the brass basket is practical, as well as looking good. It is supplied with a black leather scabbard. The total length is 80.5 cm with a blade length of 66.5 cm and a grip length of 10.5 cm. It weighs just 0.90 kg. More information from www.thepirateshop.com
Game for pirates and landlubbers
An exciting new board game for pirates and landlubbers alike has been under development for three years by Seagriffin Games Ltd. The message on its attractive and sturdy storage chest reads as follows: “Welcome Aboard! Sail yer filthy rum into fair Cornish ports and sell it for an ‘ansom profit. Get yer hard-won florins back to your galleon
Sock it to ‘em! Pirate design bamboo crew socks by Braintree, which are exclusive to Seriously Silly Socks, feature all-over grey skull and crossbones on a black background. These bamboo socks are super soft and have strong anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Bamboo wicks moisture really effectively to help keep buccaneers’ feet dry, fresh, healthy and hygienic even when working hard on deck. This is because bamboo is known to feel warmer than standard
cottons in Winter and cooler in Summer due to its fibre construction. Bamboo is a renewable resource, which is grown without chemicals, fertilisers, pesticides or genetic modification. These seriously silly socks are 75% bamboo from viscose, 17% organic cotton and 8% Spandex. They can be machinewashed at 30 deg C. There is one size option (UK 7-11, EU 40-45.5 and US 7.5-11.5). More information from www.seriouslysillysocks.com
before the other players attack and steal them, or worse, set Morgawr the local seamonster upon ye! Gather a strong crew, for it be not all plain sailin’. The wind and tide change every turn and the waters be full o’ whirlpools – though they do often spin ye for good as well as ill. With so many ways to play, ye can put your strategies and tactics to the test. No two games are the same and be prepared to change yer plans as ye seeks glorious victory!” This description says it all, so get ready to cast off with the Pirates of Penryn this yuletide. More information from: www.piratesofpenryn.com
Luluna Clothing Bespoke tailors of men’s and ladies’ clothing
Frock coats Waistcoats Shirts
Corsets Tailored Bustles Jackets Blouses Tricorn Hats Visit our online shop: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LulunaClothing Or contact us for a custom-made garment: luluna.clothing@gmail.com www.lulunaclothing.wixsite.com/upcycle November 2018 ● Pirate Plunder
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Unless you intend to steal a ship or become a mutineer if you are already on one, then your best course of action is to sign on with one of the active pirate crews listed here:
Brotherhood of the Black
PUBCAT
Brixham Buccaneers
Purbeck Pirates
Brotherhood of the Black
River Rogues (Pirate living history re-enactment, Oxford)
www.brixhambuccaneers.co.uk www.brotherhood-of-the-black.co.uk
Drumskullz
www.facebook.com/drumskullz
Hastings and Eastbourne Pyrates
www.facebook.com/groups/192667164601226/?fref=nf
Heart of the South West Pirate Crew
www.facebook.com/groups/479485679102219
Liverpool Pirate Brethren
www.liverpoolpiratebrethren.org.uk
www.facebook.com/groups/1224784210899407
www.facebook.com/groups/riverrogues
Sheppey Pirates
www.sheppeypirates.co.uk
Suffolk Free Company: Pirates
www.suffolkfreecompany.org.uk/piratesuffolks
Sully Smugglers
www.sullysmugglers.webs.com
Tortuga Pirate Crew (Whitby)
Peninsular Pyrates
www.discoverlandguard.org.uk
www.facebook.com/groups/ 1573938949517426
Pirates of Poole,
Whitby International Pirate Society
Piratical Union of Buccaneers, Corsairs and Associated Trades www.pubcat.org.uk
Withernsea Pirate Crew
www.piratesofpoole.co.uk
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www.whitbypirates.co.uk
www.facebook.com/withpiratecrew
International Scurvy Awareness Day All around the Globe 2 May, 2019
Northwich River Festival Northwich, Cheshire, 13-14 July, 2019
Brixham Pirate Festival Torbay, Devon 4-6 May, 2019
Hastings Pirate Day East Beach Street, Hastings, East Sussex 14 July, 2019
Purbeck Pirate Festival Sandpit Field, Swanage, Dorset 24-27 May, 2019
Whitby Tortuga Pirate Festival Whitby, North Yorkshire 19-21 July, 2019
The Original Conwy Pirate Festival Conwy Town, North Wales 1-2 June, 2019
Brotherhood of the Black Pirate Festival Llancaiach Fawr Manor, Rhymney Valley, South Wales 31 August-1 September, 2019
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival Falmouth, Cornwall 14-16 June, 2019
Whitby Pirate Festival Whitby, North Yorkshire 6-8 September, 2019
Harry Paye Day, The Quay, Poole, Dorset 15 June, 2019
Pirates on the Dock Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool 7-8 September, 2019
Rhos-on-Sea Pirate Weekend Conwy, North Wales 22-23 June, 2019
International Talk like a Pirate Day All around the Globe 19 September, 2019
Matlock Bath Pirate Mutiny Peak District, Derbyshire 5-7 July, 2019
Harwich International Sea Shanty Festival Harwich, Essex 11-13 October, 2019
Pirate Festival, Weymouth, Dorset 5-7 July, 2019 Anderton Pirate Festival Anderton Boat Lift, Northwich, Cheshire 6-7 July, 2019
Festival Organisers Please let the Editor of Pirate Plunder know of any changes to location, dates or even cancellation of your pirate festivals, so I can keep this calendar up-to-date.
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this calendar, but like the weather, dates may be subject to change, so you are advised to check the forecast with the organiser’s website before setting sail.
List of Advertisers Bag O’ Rags Brixham Pirate Festival Darkblade (UK) Letters of Marque Luluna Clothing Nauticalia Purbeck Pirate Festival Seagriffin Games Ltd Southern Swords The Dolmen Pirates Tipsy Kitten Wot A Load of Pirates November 2018 ● Pirate Plunder
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