Pike And Shot Events Limited

    Lulworth Pirate Festival

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Saturday May 29th  to  Friday June 4th   2010

New information page & registration now open for participants on this link

For a small taste of what's on offer see http://www.isstv.tv/video/245/20090526_pirates_lulworth_castle/

This Pirate Festival will run once again at Lulworth Castle, which is situated near Wareham, Dorset. Over this week, the Golden Age of Piracy and Smuggling will be brought back to life for a packed week of Family fun and entertainment. Please take a look at this page. This update is the latest information telling you more about this exciting Event from the Pike And Shot Events Ltd

Historical Background to Event 

Lulworth Cove is located at the western end of the isle of Purbeck. The cove has been described as the most beautiful in Britain, and makes an almost perfect circle, surrounded on all sides by cliffs. This extremely sheltered bay could therefore be used in virtually all weathers, and was of course the ideal spot for Smugglers and Pirates to meet and trade. Lulworth Castle is just inland from the Cove, and was built in the 17^th Century as a hunting lodge. It was the scene of many smuggling deals between local people, sea-farers, and the local Gentry. The difficulty in catching anyone breaking the law was made even more difficult by the Revenue men taking bribes to “look the other way”. Smuggling and piratical activities have been going on in this part of South West England for hundred’s of years, and with this in mind we want to create an Event that captures the excitement of the past, focussing on the time period 1650 – 1770. Even the nearest Hostelry – “The Weld Arms” – was a well known haunt of these “free traders”, which in the 18th Century had an investigation into the dealings of its Landlord – one Richard Champ, as late as 1770. This pub will be welcoming all event visitors during the week of Events with Real Ales, Good Food - Restaurant booking advisable.

The historical facts on several local smuggling incidents:

“The smugglers were known to sink tubs (Barrels) out of sight in the water of the Cove from inquisitive Revenue men. One, a hogshead of French red wine, bobbed up to the surface, and was promptly seized, though it proved to be 'poor thin stuff that will not keep'. A couple of years later, nearly a dozen smugglers were stopped near the cove as they tried to run wine and brandy in the early hours of a summer's morning. They fought like demons with flails, swords and clubs, and when it looked like they'd lose the cargo; the smugglers staved in some of the barrels, and made off with the remainder. The battle between smugglers and revenue men went on for some twelve hours, and attracted people from four parishes, who ran off with the abandoned barrels.” The Lulworth men evidently took no chances of being identified by the local customs authorities: on a tombstone in Weymouth's Bury Street cemetery there is the following inscription:

“Sacred to the memory of Lieut Thos Edward Knight, RN, of Folkestone, Kent, Aged 42, who in the execution of his duty as Chief Officer of the Coastguard was wantonly attacked by a body of smugglers near Lulworth, by whom after being unmercifully beaten he was thrown over the cliff near Durdle Door from the effects of which he died the following day.”

In the early years of the 18th century the local venturer at Lulworth was one Charles Weeks, who lived at Winfrith, and who had developed a particularly shrewd way of defrauding the revenue. He would buy seized goods at legitimate auctions, and mix in the smuggled article for onward shipment, often to London. When an officer challenged Weeks to produce receipts showing that duty had been paid, Weeks could often do so. When he couldn't, he would threaten the officer with litigation; on the pittance paid by the government, no customs officer could afford a legal action, so the smuggler escaped. Smugglers are said to have stored contraband in a cave at the most easterly point of Mupe Bay, known as Arish Mell. In the 18^th Century, the same area used to be accessed by following the coast from Lulworth, and by descending the cliff the moment the bay is reached. The cave is at the foot of the precipice, at a spot where a little channel has been cleared between the boulders for a boat to land.

In 2007 a new access path across the M.o.D. Ranges was opened so it could be reached ...however, please beware of military hardware, and follow the signs for restricted access!

See you at Lulworth on May 29th 2010 with this Pirate Festival, where we hope you will join us once again, & "Get stuck into History"

  (Pictures "Pat" Patrick and Barry James Wilson)

(Extracts used from website at http://www.smuggling.co.uk/index.html)

The Festival Plot thickens...................................!!!

Lulworth PIRATE Festival - 2010 

Lord Nicholas de-Vilmont has hired the castle, and has invited friends down from London for a hunting weekend. The owner of the house – Lord Weld (who is absent this weekend) has decided that the party needs some illicit tax-free luxuries (e.g. brandy, rum, tobacco) and has asked the housekeeper to procure some. She engages the local smugglers (Led by Richard Champ – Local Weld Arms Landlord) to smuggle it from the Pirates who arrived at Lulworth Cove into the Castle store rooms. Both the smugglers & pirates turn up and set up camp, planning on making a night of it, awaiting the transaction payment for their goods.

Lord DV is blissfully unaware of the illegal source of his party luxuries, and is mildly perplexed to find a large and scruffy encampment of “hoi-polloi” on the front lawn. He sends a message to the local Militia Garrison at Dorchester to send a party of troops to “move them on”. Meanwhile the County Excise Officer has sent a small group of Officers from Weymouth, having seen a ship making for Lulworth Cove. The Revenue Officers arrive by land, & a Cutter has been despatched to investigate the Cove at the next high tide. The undercover Officers have now discovered the illegal delivery and have sent a messenger to the local militia and military garrison near Wareham, who are in the process of carrying out “Military exercises” in the area, and are setting up camp nearby.

Once evidence has been placed (sorry – discovered!), the Revenue plan to find, confiscate and deal justice to the guilty party. Let us not forget that bribery & corruption are part of everyday life, and “bad press” can ruin reputations – but an example must be made of those found out to have broken the law!

Main characters

Housekeeper who is a slightly corrupt lady has been left in charge of organising the party supplies. She is also moonlighting as the tavern keeper.  Known for her generous nature and good spirits, which tend to be supplied by a network of smugglers.

Barbary Corsair leader (Akbar the Damned of the Tabur), Corsair and scourge of the high seas. Born English until he was taken and slaved by Corsairs where he swiftly became a valued fighter and eventually a greatly feared leader. He wants to be even more powerful and to be known as Akhbar Reis. Fights in the clothing of a heavy cavalryman, dresses like a Middle Eastern fop to impress people during negotiation.

Customs Officer Master William Winchcombe is a big man from Wool. His booming voice has oft signalled the last moments of an unlucky smuggler as he is also the revenue man. Not entirely scrupulous about where he gets his money from. He relies heavily on his right-hand informant and translator for the Government, who is also an under cover regular pamphleteer (Journalist). This secret Government informer is no other than Master James Taylor. His long arm often dips into many purses when a good story is discovered, and, if not paid, can destroy a reputation with the scratch of a quill!

 Lord DeVilmont is the scion of an ancient house, who has hired Lulworth from his friend, Lord Weld for a hunting party. He is not particular what he shoots. (Deer, game bird, smuggler or pirate!). His lordship has been informed that he will be provided with hospitality and appropriate liquid refreshment. Has made himself at home in the castle with his household. He is also a magistrate hence beyond suspicion and empowered to dispense the King’s justice, usually at the end of a hemp rope. His portrait is being painted as we speak, and will be on show at the entrance to the Festival to ensure no-one mistakes his presence!

 The local Smuggler/Pirate Captain is more Barbarossa than Jack Sparrow. The Del-boy of the Golden Age of Piracy. Down on his luck and needs to make a few quick coins. Has lost his ship to a revenue Cutter off Portland, and is reduced to a little Jolly-boat. Keeping a low profile, he is still to be identified by the Government - but will be found out soon - WITH YOUR HELP!

 Finally, the local Military Captain, now a Militia Captain, is an experienced career officer. Invalided out of the regular army having been almost killed by a bullet in the Khyber Pass. More Custer than Marlborough, his insane bravado is a well known speciality. He will follow orders to the point of insanity and/or death, and expects his men to follow!

So, come and join in the fun, and help apprehend the miscreants, or indeed aid their escape - depending on your persuasion.

FOR PARTICIPANTS (ONLY) - CLICK HERE

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