THIS weekend, to celebrate the weird, wonderful, folkloric and esoteric tales of Watchet’s maritime past, Contains Art in partnership with community organisations and Wassail Theatre Company is hosting three days of maritime mayhem funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday (May 27-29), the event will include sea shanties, folk music, communal singing, percussion bands, theatre, poetry, a ‘tea’ total tent, heritage walk, children’s workshops and community performance.
Located all around Watchet, from East Quay to the Visitor Centre, High Street, Esplanade and back, performances and pop-ups will appear all around the town.
The weekend will culminate in a participatory extravaganza of performance from Wassail Theatre Company called Holy Cow! on Sunday evening at high tide at East Quay.
This is a play inspired by the story of St Decuman, Watchet’s patron saint, and his cow.
Written by local playwright Jac Husebo, it sees Decuman and his cow lose each other in the fabled Bristol Triangle, each propelled on a separate journey through time and Watchet’s rich history.
You will meet pirates and punks, landowners and landlubbers, seafarers and shantymen, as our two lost souls work their way through 1,316 years to find each other again.
Contains Art Founder Jess Prendergrast said: "This weekend of nautical madness is intended to keep our stories of Watchet’s past alive and strong in our minds, reminding older people and introducing young people to the frankly bonkers stories that make Watchet the wild, windy, weather blown coastal melting pot of history that it is.
"We are proud to be working with so many local people and organisations to bring all these stories and performances to you this weekend."
Jac Husebö, from Wassail Theatre Company, said: "Holy Cow! is a love letter to Watchet’s past, from the heroes we know, to the rebels we don’t and everything strangely wonderful in between.
"Join us as we delve into unknown stories, brilliant characters and banging tunes. We can’t wait to share what makes Watchet such an incredible place with all of you.”
Here’s a guide of what’s on.
FRIDAY, MAY 27:
- 7.30pm: ‘Sea of Songs Preview’ Acoustic night. Amy Yon + Friends at the Watchet Boat Museum.
SATURDAY, MAY 28:
- 11am: ‘Aurora’ Percussion Duo. Interactive and family-friendly performance at East Quay, in partnership with Dunster Music Festival;
- 11am: Maritime Heritage walk/talk with The Bell Man, from Watchet Visitor Centre;
- 11-4pm: ‘Tea Total Tent’ at the Phoenix Centre;
- 12noon: Watchet Community Choir on the Esplanade;
- 12-2pm: Kids Hobby Horse making workshop at East Quay;
- 2pm: Hobby Horse Cavalry Charge from East Quay;
- 3.30pm: ‘Great Big Shanty Sing’ with Dave Milton and friends, on The Esplanade;
- 5-9pm: ‘Dock Rock’ party and BBQ with Watchet Boat Owners Association at East Quay.
SUNDAY, MAY 29:
- 10-12pm: Historic Maritime Hat Making Workshop at East Quay;
- 11am: Hugil’s Crew Sea Shanties at The Boat Museum;
- 12-2pm: Tin Can Cow Bell family workshop at East Quay;
- 2pm: Folk music at East Quay;
- 2pm: ‘Tea Total Tent’ with Watchet Wavemakers at The Phoenix Centre;
- 2pm: Poetry with Deanna Payne, The Esplanade;
- 3pm: The Watchet Consort on The Esplanade;
- 5.30pm: ‘Holy Cow!’ A specially written community play by Wassail Theatre telling the tale of a time-travelling St. Decuman and his sea-faring cow, at East Quay.
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