Pirates Weekend gets under way in Plymouth

Leigh and Kerry Valentine
Visitors Leigh and Kerry Valentine sporting their pirates costumes [BBC]

People dressed as pirates have been arriving in Plymouth for Pirates Weekend.

Events are being held across the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, Royal William Yard and the Waterfront.

The Galeón Andalucía, a full-scale reconstruction of the popular 17th Century Spanish sailing cargo vessel, is also available for visitors to explore and learn more about its history.

The Pirate Fun Run, which is expected to see hundreds of people dressed as pirates walk or run a 3km (1.86 mile) route on Sunday, is among the new events this year.

Pirates weekend
The Galeón Andalucía is available for visitors to explore [BBC]
Dog dressed in a pirate outfit
A pirate dog show is among this year's events [BBC]

Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, the organisers, said other events included pirate coin making, face painting, morris dancing, a swashbuckling school, a pirate puppet show and a mermaid sea quest.

Visitors Leigh and Kerry Valentine said they "loved" Pirates Weekend.

"Meeting everyone has been great and there has been some amazing costumes," Mr Valentine said.

"Going on a Spanish Galleon, getting to look and climb around it, is amazing."

He said the favourite part of the day was meeting people and children who think he is the "real Captain Hook".

"I love seeing the smiles on their faces," he said.

John Winder, who has attended Pirates Weekend for about five years, said the event was important for the city because of its naval history.

"It has been fantastic as usual," he said.

John Winder
John Winder said Pirate Weekend had been "fantastic" [BBC]

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