Leigh Maritime Festival 2016

July 26, 2016 by Joanna Harrison

Leigh Maritime Festival – A Celebration Of Estuary Life

On Sunday 21 st August the Old Town of Leigh will be full of maritime, estuary and seafaring fun for Leigh Town Council’s 2016 Maritime Festival.

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.

All your little pirates, sailors and mermaids will be able to enjoy all that is going on in the Kid’s Zone on Strand Wharf. Throughout the whole Festival there will be games, crafts and activities to keep them entertained plus face painting, hair braiding and surprise guests. Everyone is invited to Marko Sparko’s Pirate show at 3 p.m. for magic and balloon fun. The Art Ministry and Blenheim Children’s centre will be organising activity sessions throughout the day. Once the tide comes in it’s crabbing lines at the ready with Leigh Round Table – see how many you can catch!

Feeling peckish? Our Italia in Piazza food market in Foundry car park will be able to satiate your appetite for all things Italian – olives, meats, oils, vinegars and of course cakes.

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.

Meet and talk to the people and organisations that keep our Estuary alive in the Scott and Stapleton Maritime Marquee in Victoria car park. With over 18 exhibitors you will be able to find out about all things in the water, on the water and by the water.

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 Implaccable and the Sea Cadets 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.