Sat 15th October 2011 - Celebrating Erith's History

[Robyn Drummond]

Hi.

I am writing on behalf of the Alexander Selkirk Project, a voluntary group of Erithians who have formed to promote Erith's historic maritime links, through a local anniversary on 15th October.

300 years ago, the Scottish sailor, Alexander Selkirk, landed at Erith after being marooned on a desert island for over 4 years. It is thought the Selkirk was the inspiration for the first novel in English, Robinson Crusoe, published by Daniel Defoe in 1719.

We are planning events around the anniversary to entertain and educate about why he landed at Erith, and the people and goods that came to the port here from across the oceans.

 

On Saturday October 15th, there will be a day of events in Erith:

All day in the Riverside Shopping Centre there will be an Autumn Fair, with a nautical theme, where we will have an information table, and a stall showing gruesome c18th foods, such as ship's bisuits for you to try. Stop off at this table for more information about what else is going on during the day, and pick up a kids activity sheet.

Throughout the day, in the Town Centre and along the Riverside, will be wandering groups of pirates and other actors, entertaining children and informing people about other events. Make sure to bring cameras to have your photo taken with them!

At 12 noon, the Erith Historical Society will be running a free historical tour of Erith Town Centre. (This will leave from their table near Argos.)

From 12-2pm, there will be free children's craft activities at the Erith Rowing Club, where kids can make treasure chests, boats and sundials, and learn how to survive on a desert island, and what came to Erith on the huge East India Company ships in the early 1700s.

Then from 2pm, on the Erith Riverfront opposite the Running Horses, we will be staging a re-enactment celebration, where Alexander Selkirk will be rowed ashore, to be greeted by the Mayor, local school children and choirs, actors, army cadets and other costumed sailors. This is the main event of the day, so please do pop down around 2pm.

After the re-enactment, the Running Horses will be running a barbeque, in case you feel peckish after all the fun!

 

For more information, or to recieve a free digital copy (with pictures) of our 'Wander Around Erith' please contact [e-mail], or find Selkirk Summer on Facebook.

 

Thanks for reading,

We hope to see you on the 15th!

Robyn, (On Behalf of The Alexander Selkirk Project)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Hugh Neal]

Hi Robyn - I shall be featuring this on my Blog, which gets a lot of readers (just about to hit the 50,000 unique page view mark, hopefully some time this weekend. Great stuff, and I will most definitely be there!

[Robyn Drummond]

Brilliant, Thank you! Please, everyone, spread the word. Thanks.