A NEW festival sails into Southend this week, celebrating Southend’s relationship with the sea.

The first Southend Maritime Festival will celebrate the town’s maritime history, heritage and visitor appeal on the seafront on Saturday and Sunday.

The all-new festival, which is supported by the Echo, will include live music, cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs, wine tasting, a chance to try rowing, sand castlemaking, sculptures and history talks and re-enactments.

The pier bandstand will be a focal point for spoken word readings from professional writers and performers, while traditional and modern sea shanties will also be performed, as will several choral works from local choirs.

The organisers have also invited local fishermen to talk about their ancient and often perilous trade, while actors will bring to life historic events from our maritime and naval past.

On the beach, renowned sand sculptor Mark Anderson will be demonstrating his craft and the festival’s events team will be co-ordinating a series of creative sandcastle workshops.

The Great British Bake Off ’s Cathryn Dresser will give a baking masterclass and South Essex College students will be making other goodies.

X Factor finalist Jake Quickenden will headline the festival at 3pm on Sunday on the main stage at Jubilee Beach and there will be a meet and greet at 4pm at Adventure Island.

Southend Council is organising the event to celebrate the maritime heritage of the borough with funding from the Coastal Communities Fund.

Deputy council leader Graham Longley said: “I am delighted we have secured external funding to run this event and I am looking forward to being involved and part of it.

“We have a film festival, folk festival, and a jazz festival, so I am very pleased this year we will also have a maritime festival that will explore our important relationship with the water and our wonderful seafront.

“This will be a wonderful event for all the family with a host of activities that will boost the seafront economy and be a great weekend for residents, businesses and visitors alike.

“I hope it is well supported and could lead to it becoming a fixture in the Southend events calendar.”