Latest Blake 350 News

The public have an opportunity to find out about the lives of the ancestors of Robert Blake, Bridgwater's most famous son, on a walk in beautiful countryside at the foot of the Quantock Hills.

Starting at 1.30 p.m. on Sunday the 7th of October, Jessica Vale, Sedgemoor's Museums Officer, will be leading a guided walk around the fields and streams of Plainsfield and Tuxwell, where Robert's Blake's grandfather and his family made cloth from the wool of local sheep.

The walk, which is about 6 miles long, will also take in Aisholt Church in its idyllic setting, where distant cousins of Robert Blake ministered to the villagers.

The starting point of the walk is Hawkridge reservoir car park. There is a charge of £1 per person, payable on the day, and numbers are limited.

For more information and to reserve a place on the walk, please contact Blake Museum, Bridgwater, telephone 01278 435399, email museums@sedgemoor.gov.uk.

This walk is one of a series of events in 2007 marking the 350th anniversary of the death of Robert Blake of Bridgwater, who was General-at Sea of the English Navy in the time of Oliver Cromwell.

The Admiral Blake Statue on Bridgwater's Cornhill will be cleaned during the end of August.

Scaffolding will be put up on Thursday, 16th August ready for the cleaning process to start on Monday, 20th August.

The cleaning will be done by a specialist bronze-cleaning company, using pressure and water to clear off years of grime.  It is estimated that if all goes well, the cleaning should be completed by Friday 24th August.

A rare opportunity to join the Mayor of Bridgwater, Cllr Philip Smeed, his wife and members of the Blake Family for a memorable 17th Century Banquet of over 25 courses to celebrate the life and works of Admiral Robert Blake.

The Banquet includes sumptious dishes such as Soused Pork, Pease Pudding, Baked Fennel Sausage, Gammon, Wild Venison and Roast Pork followed by  sweetmeats, such as liquorice sticks and egg & crystalised fruit pie, and cheese, cheddar, Yarg and Brie.  The food is served in three waves of eight dishes to ensure that you have time to enjoy each delicious taste.

The Blake 350 Banquet will  be held in the Town Hall on Saturday 1st September 2007, 7pm for 7.30pm.  Tickets cost £25.00 each and include the feast, music by a wandering  Minstrel and other entertainment.  Period dress is optional.

Tickets are available from the Blake Museum until Wednesday 8th August 2007.

For further information contact Anne-Marie Spalding on 01278 435784.

Bridgwater Flower Show is to help commemorate the town’s most famous inhabitant by dedicating a new class to Admiral Robert Blake.

As celebrations continue throughout 2007 for "Blake 350", this year being 350 years since the death of the renowned Admiral, the Flower Show Society have introduced a new class in the Art section, for any medium, entitled "Admiral Blake’s View". The winning exhibitor will also be the proud recipient of a cup which is being donated by Blake’s descendants. Because of the great historical interest the cup will be sent to Bridgwater Museum after the presentation at the Show, and the winner will be given a certificate featuring their winning entry along with a photograph of themselves and the Blake 350 Trophy.

"We are delighted to be able to commemorate our famous ancestor in this way" said Show Secretary Jackie Sealey. "It’s all about Bridgwater and the town is very important to us, so if the Flower Show Society can help to promote something like this we are very pleased to do so. And we are hoping that all the artists out there will support this class by depicting 'Admiral Blake’s View' ".

The Blake 350 Trophy is to be a perpetual award, being presented each year to the winner of a dedicated class in memory of Admiral Blake.

Bridgwater Flower Show will be held on August 24th and 25th in Bridgwater Town Hall.

Further details and schedules can be obtained from Secretary Jackie Sealey on 01278 445158.

Blake Civil War escorted coach Tour will take place on Friday, 31st August 2007. The tour will start with an introduction at Blake Museum, Bridgwater at 0830 hrs and returning at about 1800 hrs.

Tickets must be booked in advance from Blake Museum, Bridgwater, telephone: 01278 435599 or email museums@sedgemoor.gov.uk. Ticket Price is £10, Concessions (age 60 and over) £8 , and  children 16 and under (who must be accompanied) £5.

This tour mainly covers this military period of Robert Blake's life, but will start at his birthplace in Bridgwater at Blake Museum.  The tour leaves Bridgwater soon after 9 a.m. and proceeds via Plainsfield Court - the former ancestral home of the Blake family situated on the slopes of the Quantock hills.  We then travel to Lyme Regis, site of Blake's successful defence against overwhelming royalist odds in 1644.  During the afternoon we visit Taunton Castle and Museum, site of the sieges of 1644/5.

The tour will be conducted by David Sebborn and Richard Blake both of whom have considerable knowledge of Blake's life.  Richard is also a member of the Blake family and has spent over sixteen years leading tours to the battlefields in Europe of World Wars One and Two.

For further information please contact Jessica Vale, Museums Officer for Sedgemoor District Council tel. 01278 435399, or Ben Meller, Learning and Outreach Officer at Blake Museum, tel. 01278 435599.

A variety concert celebrating the life of Admiral Robert Blake, Bridgwater's most famous son, in words and music, will be held at Bridgwater Arts Centre on Sept 15th 2007.

The concert will include contributions from local schools, local jazz and folk groups and members af Blake Drama and Bridgwater Choral Societies.

Tickets are priced at £7.50 (Concessions £6.00) and are available from the Arts Centre.

The current exhibition at Blake Museum, Bridgwater, uncovers the interesting life stories of past members of the Blake family, both in Somerset and further afield.

This year sees the 350th anniversary of the death of Robert Blake, Bridgwater's most famous son. While Robert himself never married, he had many cousins, brothers and a sister in the local area. They and their descendants contributed to the life of Somerset in various ways. There were farmers, merchants and ministers (mostly but not all Non-Conformists, as was Robert Blake himself). Several Blakes also emigrated to Carolina, Virginia and Massachusetts in North America in the 17th century. Several followed Robert into the Navy, and the medals awarded to one 20th-century Blake are on display. Doctor Malachi Blake, 1771 - 1834, founder of Taunton Hospital, was a descendent of Robert Blake's cousin. One Robert Blake emigrated from Somerset in 1873 to the Falkland Islands and Argentina to be a sheep farmer.

Thanks to painstaking research by Blake family descendants and more recent historians, the display includes a Blake family tree created in 1931 by a member of the Royal College of Heralds.

The exhibition "Other Outstanding Blakes" runs at Blake Museum until the 2nd of June 2007, open Tuesday to Saturday, from 10am to 4pm.

Admission is free.

For further information please contact Jessica Vale, Museums Officer, tel. 01278 435399, or Carolyn Cudbill, Museum Administrative Assistant, tel. 01278 435599.

A service provided by Sedgemoor District Council

Historical Promotions and Event Management are organising Bridgwater’s 17th Century Fayre (14th July 2007) on behalf of Sedgemoor District Council as part of the Blake 350th anniversary celebrations.

Historical Promotions and Event Management is a company specialising in organising historical fayres, multi-period events and spectaculars throughout the UK and Europe.

With an impressive client base, Historical Promotions is in a unique position with the company’s director, Rob Butler holding over 25 years experience as a consultant and event organiser.  This enables the company to cast an experienced eye over the organisation, management, delivery and marketing of historical events, as well as ensuring the authenticity of re-enactors and costumed interpreters, and it is this aspect which is unique within the Event Industry.

Since the company’s formation, Historical Promotions has built up an impressive client base including many local authorities, museums, county and agricultural show organisers, maritime festivals and regattas, corporate clients, national bodies and have worked in film and television production (Channel 4 and BBC).  Their experience includes, organisation and production of many high profile events and festivals from Medieval Pageants with demonstrations of candle making, silversmithing, apothecary, alchemists, barber surgeons, period foot and jousting tournaments and entertainment to 17th and 18th Century Fayres, Napoleonic battles, Roman Festivals, Viking Skirmishes, Period Horse Shows and 1940’s Weekends with WWII aircraft displays.  Different periods in history are often combined at events to create an exciting Multi-period Spectacular with arena events, static demonstrations and living history presentations.  The company also supplies many of its period street and walkabout entertainers; jugglers, jesters, ratcatchers, puppet shows and musicians for events already established and have entertainers for every occasion.

During the festive season, Historical Promotions are employed to organise and supply period entertainment and demonstrations for Medieval, Georgian, Dickension and Victorian Christmases all over the country by local authorities.  These events enable members of the public to enjoy the spirit of Christmas past, whilst generating valuable economic opportunities for local commerce and town centre partnerships.

Children are also able to benefit from the experience of the events organised by Historical Promotions as they become involved in the entertainment and/or demonstrations, through the company’s ‘hands-on’ approach and is ideal for children studying the various Key Stages of History within the National Curriculum.

Historical Promotions and Event Management can provide expert advice, assistance and creative solutions for your events and programmes.  We can help to maximise visitor appeal and enjoyment, while ensuring public safety and increasing admissions for both small scale and large projects or complete annual programmes.  With over 150 events organised for local authorities, historic properties, museums, event sponsors and corporate clients last year contact us to discuss your requirements.

Historical Promotions and Event Management
Rob Butler (Managing Director)
Butstone Business Centre
Petrockstowe
Okehampton
Devon
EX20 3ET

Tel/Fax: 01837 811243
info@historicalpromotions.com

Blake - The Unknown Hero

Launch of events for the 350th anniversary of Admiral Blake’s death

The series of events planned in and around Bridgwater to mark the 350th anniversary of the death of Robert Blake, Bridgwater’s most famous but little known son, will be launched in Bridgwater on Saturday the 14th of April 2007 at 11 a.m. As well as numerous people connected with the events programme, the launch will be attended by members of a local Sealed Knot regiment, reflecting Blake’s involvement in the English Civil War, and members of Bridgwater Operatic Society in costume for their forthcoming performance of Pirates of Penzance Blake’s fleet was involved in capturing gold and silver from Spanish ships in the Atlantic in the 1650’s.

Blake’s part in Bridgwater’s colourful history provides a unique opportunity for the town to celebrate our heritage and rekindle local pride.  Blake is a hero to be proud of! he was a respected leader, soldier and sailor, a highly innovative tactician, and a peacemaker.

The launch of the Blake 350 project will take place at Saint Mary’s Church in the centre of Bridgwater, opening an exhibition there Blake the Hero at 11 a.m., and then move on to that most impressive Blake icon, the statue of Blake on nearby Cornhill, which was set up in 1900. The programme has been devised by a group involving descendants of the Blake family and representatives of Sedgemoor District Council, Blake Museum, Bridgwater Town Council, Bridgwater & District Civic Society, Godolphin’s Regiment of Foot of the Sealed Knot, Bridgwater Arts Centre and the Friends of Blake Museum.

Key events in the Blake 350 programme will be

· the Blake the Hero exhibition in Saint Mary’s Church, opening on 14th April
· Seminar Robert Blake and his times on 19th May (small admission charge)
· Exhibition at Saint Mary’s Church Blake the Soldier, Blake the Sailor, and ships named HMS Blake 1st - 31st July (free)
· Visit to Bridgwater from the 17th-century naval re-enactment group Bonaventure on 7th and 8th of July
· Themed Sea Sunday service at Saint Mary’s Church on 8th July (free entry) and band concert in Bridgwater Town Hall the same day (admission charge)
· 17th century-style fayre in Blake Gardens on Saturday 14th July (free)
· Taunton Concert Band concert in Blake Gardens on 5th August
· A light-hearted concert at Bridgwater Arts Centre on 15th September (admission charge)
· Carnival fireworks display on 3rd November, sponsored by Bridgwater Town Council.

Full details of events can be found in the Blake 350 leaflet obtainable from local Tourist Information Centres, or by telephoning Sedgemoor District Council on 0845 408 2540, or by browsing this website.

Ends

For further information please contact Susan Hillier, Project Officer on 01278 435506

Economic Development & Tourism
Sedgemoor District Council
Bridgwater House
King Square
Bridgwater
Somerset
TA6 3AR

www.sedgemoor.gov.uk

(Article originally published in The Bridgwater Times on 27th January 2007):

The 350th anniversary of the death at sea of Bridgwater's most famous son will be marked this year with a flotilla of commemorative events.

Admiral Robert Blake - dubbed the Father of the Royal Navy and whose seafaring exploits in the 17th century helped to establish Britain's supremacy as a naval power - was baptised in St Mary's Church, Bridgwater, in 1599.

And the church will be the focal point for many of the Blake 350 celebrations.

The Rev Charles Chadwick said: "Blake's reputation as an Admiral is second only to that of Lord Nelson in British Naval history.

"We are very pleased to be at the centre of the celebrations marking the anniversary of his death."

Blake 350 events will be launched at St Mary's on Saturday, April 14.

Highlights of the programme will recall his famous sea battle of Santa Cruz off Tenerife on April 20, 1657, his death at sea on August 7 in the same year and his state funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 4.

A six-month-long exhibition in the church will include various portraits, stone busts, a stained glass window and books.

Organisers of the celebrations, who include descendants of the admiral, also hope to have a flower festival with a naval theme in June and a musical event is in the pipeline.

St Mary's will host a special Sea Sunday service on July 8 and a display covering aspects of Blake's life as a Parliamentarian, soldier and sailor will be present for the month.

Events are being organised by a committee which also includes representatives from Sedgemoor District Council, Blake Museum, Bridgwater Civic Society and St Mary's Church.

At the Blake Museum, there will be an exhibition of a copy of eight panels about his life which will later be going out to schools so as many people as possible can see them.

A concert will be held in Blake Gardens on Sunday, August 5, when the Taunton Concert Band has been invited to play.

Other events will include talks and re-enactments.

Blake was one of the most important military commanders of the Commonwealth of England. He was one of 13 children born to a Bridgwater merchant.

After attending Oxford University, he had hoped to follow an academic career but failed to secure a fellowship to Merton College, probably because of his political and religious views.

He returned to his home town and in 1640 was elected Member of Parliament for Bridgwater in the Short Parliament.

When the English Civil War broke out during the period of the Long Parliament, and having failed to be re-elected, Blake began his military career on the side of the Parliamentarians, despite having no substantial experience of military or naval matters.

Blake's most famous exploits on land were at the Siege of Bristol in July 1643, the Siege of Lyme in April 1644, the Siege of Taunton in 1645 and the Siege of Dunster in November 1645.

Blake was appointed General at Sea - a rank corresponding to Admiral - in 1649.

He is often referred to as the Father of the Royal Navy. As well as being largely responsible for building the largest navy the country had then ever known, from a few tens of ships to well over 100, he was first to keep a fleet at sea over the winter.

A series of ships in the Royal Navy have carried the name HMS Blake and the bell of the last HMS Blake, scrapped in 1982, is on display in St Mary's Church.