Events mark historic battle’s anniversary
The 243rd anniversary of the Battle of Flamborough Head will be commemorated with a dinner and drinks reception hosted by Filey Sea Cadets.
The event, organised by the Filey Bay 1779 Research Group Limited, takes place on Friday September 23 and will be hosted by the sea cadets at their HQ ‘Training Ship Unseen’ in Southdene.
The evening will begin with a drinks reception at 7pm followed by the firing of a single rocket at 7.20pm to mark the start of the battle, in which over 300 men and boys lost their lives.
The rocket firing will be followed by a two-course
dinner, prepared by the sea cadets’ parents and served by the sea cadets.
Local historian, Dr David Pendleton, will present
a brief account of the battle, in which, on September 23 1779, the Royal Navy escort ship HMS Serapis and the Countess of Scarborough successfully defended a 41-ship convoy from attack by an American-French squadron of four ships, one of which, the Bonhomme Richard captained by the infamous John Paul Jones, was sunk in Filey Bay.
Andrew Clay, of Scarborough Museums Trust, will give a presentation about the silver casket presented to Captain Thomas Piercy by the Borough of Scarborough following the battle and successful defence of the convoy.
Poet Ian Duhig will then read his poem ‘The Battle of Flamborough Head’ which is based on an account of the battle by one of the sailors on board HMS Serapis.
The evening will draw to a close with musical entertainment by folk rock band The Salts – sea shanties with attitude! Tickets can be purchased from Filey Bay 1779 group secretary Kim Hodgson at fileybay1779@gmail.com.
Further commemorations will take place on Sunday September 25 when there will be a parade of sea cadets from Filey, Scarborough and Bridlington departing St Oswald’s Church at 1.30pm accompanied by a marching band. This will be followed at 2.15pm by a short service of remembrance on Filey promenade near Bridge Hole, conducted by the Rev Nigel Chapman.
An exhibition trailer packed with information about the battle and a replica cannon will be in Crescent Gardens on Saturday (1-4pm) and on Filey seafront on Sunday (1-4pm).