150 Years - Port of Silloth Celebrations
3rd - 16th August
Main Event - Sat 8th - Sun 9th August 2009
In August 2009, the Port of Silloth will be celebrating its 150th birthday.
The first dock, known as the “Marshall Dock”, was officially opened on 3rd August 1859. The opening of the dock was also effectively the birth of Silloth as a town. To celebrate this momentous occasion, two separate events have been planned.
The first is an exhibition, to be held at the Solway Coast Discovery Centre / Tourist Information Centre in Silloth, which will run for two weeks from 3rd to 16th August. The exhibition will consist of archive photographs and information of the port history, historic charts, drawings, maps, as well as additional related contributions from port customers, local environmental organisations, Silloth Lifeboat Station, members of the public and Cumbria Records Office.
The second event consists of two days of attractions at Silloth Docks. On Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th August, the port will be open to the public from 10am to 5pm.
Click Here To Open THE EVENT PLANNER (0.5Mb download)
On view within the inner New Dock, will be a number of interesting vessels, including “Jacinta”, a heritage deep-sea trawler and veteran of the Icelandic Cod Wars, the “Brocklebank”, a heritage tug from the port of Liverpool, the fishery protection vessel “Solway Protector” and tugs from the ports of Workington and Barrow, a NW Area Police Launch and a specially adapted sailing yacht for the disabled. It is hoped that we shall also have with us, a Border Agencies (ex HM Customs) patrol launch, an RNLI offshore lifeboat which the public may board to view and a vessel from Robin Rigg wind-farm, but the attendance of these vessels will be subject to last-minute operational requirements. Also on display and manoeuvring in the New Dock will be a number of craft from the Carlisle Model Boat Club. When the dock gates are opened at high water, (around 2pm), there will be a parade of local lifeboats and rescue boats. Various stalls, a children’s funfair, a First Aid post and toilets.
Other events that weekend will include, a Royal Navy SeaKing helicopter to carry out a display including a winching drill with lifeboats in the outer Marshall Dock, whilst on Sunday we are hoping to attract an RAF SeaKing helicopter to do a similar display. On both days there will be a flyby by the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Lancaster Bomber/Spitfire/Hurricane). The timing of these airborne events is still to be confirmed.
Live Entertainment taking place over the weekend includes
- Blow Jangles Street Band
- Urban Gypsys
- Schooner Battle Re-enactments
There is no charge for entry to this special event. Please note There Will Be No Public Parking On The Port Estate, except for vehicles displaying disabled or special exhibitor badges.
