Exeter Heritage Harbour Celebrations Continue
Continuing a year of celebrations to mark Exeter’s new Heritage Harbour status, two large-scale traditional sailing vessels will be mooring at Exeter Quay for the first time in many years. This weekend will see the arrival of both the sailing barge ‘Snark’ on Saturday (23 September) and historic fishing smack ‘Britannia’ on Sunday (24 September). To mark their arrival, the Exeter Canal and Quay Trust have organised a packed programme of family-friendly events over both days.
‘Snark’ is a modern version of a traditional coastal sailing barge that was featured in the Dunkirk sequence of Atonement (2007) starring James McAvoy, Keira Knightly. She will be based here during the winter months, where she will be a venue for dining. Meanwhile, ‘Britannia’ is 108-year-old traditional east coast smack that has been undergoing restoration for almost ten years. She will arrive in the canal basin on Sunday hauled by Exeter Sea Cadets, while the Mariners Away shanty band sing from her deck. Afterwards she will complete her restoration on Exeter Quay and then spent her summers sailing the oceans and her winters here in Exeter.
‘Snark’ will arrive at King’s Wharf at 11am on Saturday when there will be cannon firing from Trafalgar Gun Company. The Mayor and Mace Sergeants will then greet her at 12pm, while throughout the afternoon there will be informal public tours of the boat. Other events on Saturday include a Community History Exhibition by Art Work Exeter in the Exeter Custom House and the chance to take a trip on the River Exe Swan Boat (land-based version) with Burn the Curtain Theatre. There will also be walks from the Red Coat Guides and a public lecture from Richard Parker showing the development of the harbour over five centuries based on five fantastic new drawings.
On Saturday evening people can enjoy Pop up History at the Exeter Custom House, when community performers present short monologues based on reminiscences gathered as part of the Community History Exhibition. There will then be the premiere of the Onedin Line Redux, where local people have recreated scenes from the popular 70s TV series, originally filmed at Exeter Quay. Coordinated by Art Work Exeter, the fun film premiere will take place under the Transit Shed.
The packed entertainment continues on the Sunday around the Piazza Terracina, when ‘Snark’ moves to the canal basin, where she will be joined by the fishing smack ‘Britannia.’ To mark their arrival, there will be more cannon firing and music from Exeter Folk Orchestra. People can then enjoy a Maritime market, Classic Cars, Traction Engines and entertainment from the Liberty Sisters, South West Lindyhoppers, Mariner’s Away and the Out of Tunas shanty crew. Families will also enjoy print workshops with Double Elephant Print, trips in the land-based swan boat and learning how to tie a knot with Westcountry Knotters. Meanwhile keep an eye out for pirates on hovering musical galleons.
Throughout the day there will also be informal public tours of ‘Snark’ and ‘Britannia,’ Red Coat walks. A series of maritime talks at Haven Banks Outdoor Centre and another chance to enjoy the Community History Exhibition at the Exeter Custom House. Meanwhile, throughout the day, Saddles and Paddles will be offering ‘get afloat’ taster sessions. These are free but must be booked in advance. The weekend will come to a close with a performance by Kim Squirrel about ‘Snark’ and the firing of cannons.
Jon Bell, Chair – Exeter Heritage Harbour Group said; “This year marks the 50th anniversary of the last commercial vessel ever to have used the port, so we are delighted to have two large-scale traditional sailing vessels returning to the quayside. We are immensely proud of our Heritage Harbour status and have planned a huge programme of events to celebrate the arrival of ‘Snark’ and ‘Britannia’. I do hope everyone can join us for what promises to be a wonderful weekend of free fun for all the family.”
Visit www.exetercustomhouse.co.uk
