Party on the Pier
British Tourism Week 12-20 March 2011
Party on the Pier (Saturday 12 March) was the launch event for British Tourism Week, with a series of events held simultaneously at piers, harbours and jetties around the UK coastline. National Historic Ships worked closely with the organisers of British Tourism Week to encourage owners of historic vessels to get involved and celebrate Britain's Tourism Industry and were delighted with the positive response.
We are pleased to be able to publish an update from the following events which involved historic vessels:
Southampton
Pier & Docks
This event started at Kuti's Royal Thai Pier restaurant and offered a tour of maritime Southampton. Part of the tour was by bus to SS Shieldhall where the passengers were met by the ship's crew/sea cadets for a tour of the wheel house steering gear and a short presentation on the history of the ship and her connection with Southampton. About 40 people attended the event who helped contribute towards the vessel's 'Save our Steamship' campaign. Read more and see a video of the tour by clicking on this link: Southampton's Royal Pier celebrated in British Tourism Week
Newlyn Harbour & Quay
The Painting Party on the Quay at the Old Harbour in Newlyn was blessed with good weather and hundreds of people. Organiser, John Lambourn, said that "“The Old Harbour came alive with traditional luggers in the harbour and the many artists who were on site painting the scene. The Mayor of Penzance yielded paintbrush to the side of a lugger for the first time. Newlyn Archive received a steady stream of visitors to see its photographic display of the Old Harbour and its luggers in its heyday. We ran a survey during the day and it showed an overwhelming support for an event like this to be repeated and luggers to be permanently based in the Old Harbour."
Gillingham Pier, Kent
Party on the Pier - All Aboard! Nautical, family friendly activities and performances took place throughout the 
day aboard LV21, a 40-metre steel-hulled Light Vessel moored at Gillingham Pier. Sea shanties, performed by the Hog Eye Men and the Big Fish Street Band, together with drop-in workshops to add your own paper boat to their ever growing fleet, were just some of the activities held. Representatives from other local restoration projects, including the paddle steamer Medway Queen, the last steamer surviving in the UK, were also there. Again sunny weather and a varied programme of activities attracted over 250 visitors, from toddlers to well seasoned sea dogs. Positive feedback from visitors included "Fantastic day out, we enjoyed every minute and can’t wait to come back . . . thanks to everyone."
hawse eye:
tubular metal fitting in the bows of a vessel through which the anchor cable passes
