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10th November 2011
WEYMOUTH: Pirate festival to tie-in with Olympicsby Harry Walton A MAJOR four-day pirate festival is being planned for Weymouth to coincide with the run up to the 2012 Olympic Games. The event, which could include up to four Tall Ships, is proposed to be held from June 2nd-5th, 2012. The first two days would be in the East Fleet area where local author John Meade Falkner based his famous smuggling and pirate book Moonfleet. Organiser Dave Allan of Pike and Shot Events said: “If we can secure a Fleet site it will include a living history encampment, children’s activities and an explosive pirate battle. “The second two days will be based round the Hope Square area of Weymouth which in the 1700s was the centre of this region’s golden age of piracy. “We are holding talks with four Tall Ships to join in the festivities and there will also be local band, The Dolmen, involved with music and pirate tales and activities in the old harbour area. “We have already gained the support of the Weymouth Harbour Traders Association who have generously promised £500 towards the cost of running the event, but we are keen to get as many local businesses and organisations on board with all profits from the event going to Weymouth RNLI.” Mr Allan said that the next task facing organisers was to hold talks with the council about holding the event, possible street closures, stages, tours and a full-scale pirate skirmish from Town Bridge to Hope Square. He added: “We hope that this will become a major annual event and not just something held during Olympic year. “We feel that the Brewers Quay side of the harbour can do with a boost and is an ideal venue for such an event because of its rich pirate history which includes the Crown actually supporting pirates based in the area and legalising their activities to maraud against Dutch and Spanish shipping. “Local piracy even has a connection with world famous Dorset author Thomas Hardy. “His father lived at Higher Bockhampton where his cottage between Osmington Mills and the markets of Sherborne and Yeovil was used as a “safe house” to store pirate contraband including up to 80 casks of brandy at a time! “All this and many other fascinating pirate history will be available for visitors in song, tale or display during the festival which we feel will really capture people’s imagination.” PICTURE: The Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Councillor Graham Winter holds the London 2012 torch relay community invitation
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Seriously? There are ten ships with innocent seafarers held hostage by Somali #pirates and Weymouth thinks a pirate festival is appropriate? Bizarre & insensitive.
Posted by Rose George on 10th November, 2011