Eden Park Primary pupils meet a Victorian Pilgrim

Yes, that’s right – Eden Park Primary pupils meet a Victorian Pilgrim! Pilgrim of Brixham that is, the heritage sailing trawler, launched in 1895 and still going strong 124 years later. The volunteer team on Pilgrim were delighted to welcome the year 3 & 4 children from Eden Park Primary Academy to tell them all about the port, the boat and its fishing history.

Over two days the pupils had the opportunity to sketch Pilgrim from the shore and then board her and learn all about sailing, trawling and the different species of fish that were caught. They had to identify the fish and put them in the right box just as the ‘boy’ would have done below decks in Victorian times. Pilgrim was typically crewed by three men and a boy. The boy would only have been a year or two older than the children themselves.

Eden Park Primary Academy
‘Squeeze up in the stern’ Eden Park Primary Academy on Pilgrim of Brixham

The visit was part of the schools programme delivered by the Pilgrim Heritage Sailing Foundation which is the charity which owns and operates Pilgrim. Other schools are welcome to contact the Foundation and arrange their own free-of-charge visit. Each child takes home an historical guide to Pilgrim and the Brixham fishing community.