Pirate Updates
This page showcases some of the different achievements of The Deal Pirates.
Event Name:
NOT The Boxing Day Dip
Date:
26/12/2024
Location:
Narrative:
Deal Promenade and Pier Apron
The Deal Boxing Day Dip had to be cancelled in 2024 because of the "Poor" rating of the sea water quality.
The Pirates sprang into action in the very short time we had to plan a number of activities which took place on Deal promenade and pier apron between 11am and 2pm. This enabled the Pirates to offer free participation in our range of existing fun activities such as the Cornhole, Kids' Tombola and Buzzer game, but also showcase two new additions - the Splat the Rat game and the star of the day: the 'Shiver me Timbers' cold water bucket challenge. The very first bucket was discharged with a flourish by the Deal Town Mayor, Clir Oliver Richardson over a mad but willing volunteer from HM Coastguard!
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PHOTOS TO FOLLOW
Event Name:
High Street Christmas Trees
Date:
10/11/2024
Location:
Narrative:
Deal High Street and Castle's Removals
Deal and Walmer Chamber of Trade kindly provide the Christmas decorations and trees in Deal High Street and bring a festive feeling to central Deal.
The trees are real and need decorating with lights and then putting up all along the High Street.
The Pirates were asked for some volunteers to help and we happily agreed. On Saturday over 100 trees were decorated and on Sunday they were all put up.
Switch on was on Saturday 23rd but sadly due to the weather (Storm Bert) there was no planned event but just a simple switching on of the lights by Pirate Gadget. Great fun was had by all… and doesn’t it look lovely all lit up?



Event Name:
Leaps and Bounds Allotment
Date:
2/11/2024
Location:
Narrative:
Leaps and Bounds Centre
Leaps and Bounds already grow a small amount of vegetables and herbs for use in their kitchen. However, their large garden area was being underused so we developed part of it into an allotment. We created four raised beds and even repurposed a boat. This will provide food for their kitchen and be educational for the young people they care for.
We had fun and we got it done and, thanks to MKM and Leaf Tree Services, it didn’t cost us anything.



Event Name:
Landmark Refurbishments
Date:
October 2024
Location:
Narrative:
Landmark Centre
As a thank you to the Landmark for hosting our meetings we offered to spruce up the disabled and bar toilets. MKM very kindly donated the materials for free allowing us to transform the facilities.



Event Name:
Foodbank Collection
Date:
19/10/24
Location:
Narrative:
Sainsburys, Deal
The Pirates dressed up for a special Foodbank collection in Sainsburys. Polly was, as ever, very popular with the kids.
We managed to collect 630.90 kg of food and £320 in cash donations. An excellent haul of treasure for the Foodbank to distribute to families in and around Deal.



Event Name:
Deal Braderie
Date:
15/9/24
Location:
Narrative:
High Street, Deal
The Pirates couldn’t keep away from this once a year Deal Event. We all had a great time in the fantastic weather. We raised much more money than last year and created some much needed storage space.


Event Name:
Deal Dispatch Photoshoot
Date:
10/9/2024
Location:
Narrative:
Roman Landings Adventure Golf, Walmer
The Deal Despatch asked to feature us in the October edition of their very popular newspaper, so we jumped at the chance! A collection of Pirates went along to Roman Landings adventure golf course for photos to accompany the article and - we made the front page!



Event Name:
Sandown Picnic
Date:
28 August 2024
Location:
Narrative:
Sandown Castle Garden
We were blessed with a lovely sunny day and the crowds were out. So many more people than previous years so the word is spreading that the Pirates know how to picnic! There were four live music acts, plants, crafts, cakes, games and picnics - lots of picnics. Much fun was had by all - the folk of the North End thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We made over £650 profit that has been split between the Community Garden, Music for dementia and the Pirates fighting fund.


Event Name:
OGGA Fun Day
Date:
4/8/2024
Location:
Narrative:
Betteshanger Sports and Social
We were invited to join the fun with the newly formed OGGA Foundation, a charity that supports bereaved children. We took along all our Pirate games and even managed to encourage a member of Kent Fire and Rescue to put their head in the pillory.



Event Name:
Pirates Treasure Hunt
Date:
3/8/2024
Location:
Narrative:
Deal Town and Landmark Centre
Over 80 families joined us on the Pirate Treasure Hunt. They scuttled around Deal searching for clues before hot footing it back to the Landmark to check their answers and take part in the fun and games. The boat race was particularly popular with an excited and noisy dog! Polly was a great hit with the children as she danced along with the Kellet Gut Shantymen.
We raised over £1,100 that will be shared between Treetops Pre-school and Leaps and Bounds.



Event Name:
Deal Pride Marshalling
Date:
3/8/2024
Location:
Narrative:
Deal and Walmer
The Pirates were asked to marshal the Deal Pride parade, so, of course we said “Aye”. It was truly heartening to see how well the parade was greeted in the streets of Deal, with the High Street full of people clapping and cheering. We made lots of interesting friends!


Event Name:
Deal Carnival
Date:
25/7/24
Location:
Deal and Walmer
Narrative:
The Pirates were out in full force for the annual Deal Carnival Parade. In full Pirate dress with a trolley cleverly disguised as a ship and a resplendent Polly the Parrot we entertained the crowd with cutlass fighting and plenty of “Arrrghs”



Event Name:
Tabletop Sale
Date:
20/7/24
Location:
Narrative:
Walmer Green
In an effort to raise some money and free up some storage space we ran a large stall at the Table Top Sale on Walmer Green. Captain ran the Tombola and had a great time doing so! Gadget lost his voice with all the Arrgh-ing!



Event Name:
Bug Hotels
Date:
May 2024
Location:
Narrative:
Various
The Deal Pirates were approached by Treetops Nursery for some help with tidying up their garden space. As part of this project we offered to make some bug hotels, which would enrich the garden by encouraging pollinators. We came up with a design, costings and a team of willing Pirates to construct them and got funding from Deal Town Council via their Green Grant scheme.
As often happens, we got a bit carried away, and made 26 bug hotels that we distributed around the town to schools and community centres as well as Treetops Nursery.
