Volume 1 Number 1 May 2018 Pirate Plunder is an independent title published twice a year in May and November for the pirate brethren of the British Isles by Young Editorial Services. The paper aims to support the non-violent plundering of the populace of coastal towns and inland counties for the benefit of worthy charities throughout the British Isles by promoting maritime festivals or other nautical events where charitable pirates are to be found.
EDITORIAL Cap’n Davy Young Young Editorial Services 52 Rickman Hill, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 3DP Tel: 01737 551687 Mob: 07785 796826 E: youngeditorial1@btinternet.com
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elcome aboard the first issue of Pirate Plunder – no spittin’ on the deck – and I hopes ye’ll enjoy the maiden voyage. For many a dog watch now, it’s been a worrisome thing to me that our rivals in the American colonies are kept in touch by an excellent journal (Pirates Magazine) published for their community. Fair wind to ‘em I say, but there’s been nought to read for the hard-thieving pirate brethren of these isles. Until now, that is, because I’ve launched Pirate Plunder to give our own active pirate crews a chance to tell their tales. After all, are we not well-respected for our success in plundering treasure that should rightly be placed under the protection of us pirates afore being passed on to the worthy charities we support? Pirate Plunder will also help to make us better pirates (or worse, depending on your point o’ view) by tellin’ us of new weapons, fancy clothing, sturdy seaboots, stylish tricorn hats and all manner of pirate gear. If you be a landlubber that’s bought a copy of this paper at a pirate festival or similar event, then take my advice and be sure to support your local pirate society by making a generous contribution to their charity!
PRODUCTION Anthony Wiffen ASTAC Business Publishing Ltd Tel: 01622 850063 Mob: 07557 280769 E: anton_print_1@mac.com
News from the pirate brethren of the British Isles.
PRINTING Advanced Print 170-172 Brighton Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2NE Tel: 020 8668 1411 E: info@advanced-print.com www.advanced-print.com
Musings dated 12th May, 1673, from the journal of Captain James Summer, whose memory has more holes than a badly maintained top-sail.
ISSN 2516-5607 ©2018 Young Editorial Services
Front cover. Main image: The Brixham Pirate Festival’s colours flying alongside the Spanish flag. Inset: Russell Timbrell (left), Quartermaster and Director of Brixham Pirate Festival, and Pete Berresford, Chairman of the Festival Committee (picture courtesy of Chris Slack Photography).
Apart from drinking, the Pirates of Poole set out with two main aims: to recognise and preserve in living memory the important maritime history of the town of Poole, especially its infamous pirate Harry Paye; and to raise money for local charities whilst having a merry old time along the way! The weather smiled on Brixham Pirate Festival during the hottest Bank Holiday for years as an estimated 25,000 people came to the quayside for three days of fun and music. A letter of marque was a commission authorising privately-owned ships (known as privateers) to capture enemy ships. Privateers were viewed as heroic
and noble as opposed to pirates, who were universally condemned as thieves and vagabonds, but it was not uncommon for roles to change as shown by the life of Captain Kidd. The Pirates of St. Piran were formed ten years ago to raise money for charities. Originally a Pirate re-enactment and living history group, they have become a full-on, folk-rock sea shanty band and have just released their sixth CD. Weapons, clothing, boots, hats, eye patches, earrings, tankards for grog and all manner of gear for the discerning pirate. List of active pirate crews from the coast of South Devon up to the shores of the Forth and Clyde. Calendar of festivals either organised by pirates or likely to be subject to a pirate attack.
May 2018 c Pirate Plunder
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