UP CLOSE: Simon and Lauren, founders of Exmouth Pirates re-enactment group

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This week Exmouth Nub News spoke with Simon Moulder and Lauren Butler, founders of the Exmouth Pirates re-enactment group.

How would you describe Exmouth Pirates to someone who has never heard of it?

Simon (AKA Captain Scully) said: "Exmouth Pirates is a non-profit organisation that was set up in 2019 by Simon Moulder and Lauren Butler for mental health awareness, and to prove to people that even if you do have mental health or learning difficulties, anything like that - if you put your mind to it, the world's your oyster."

Lauren said: "Especially through this lockdown everyone's more aware of mental health."

Why pirates?

Simon said: "Back when I was in primary school we had World Book Day, and my mum asked me what I would like to do - I wanted to dress up as a pirate, so I did!

"We've lived in Exmouth for about two years. Even though this is a pirate town, we saw that there weren't any pirate re-enactment groups in Exmouth.

"In the 1700s, Algerian pirates came here and took villagers and farmers to sell as slaves in North Africa.

"On our logo, we have the Exmouth coat of arms behind a skull and crossbones.

"We prefer to do stuff for the community, to get them involved, and it's just something new for the kids.

"A car pulled up this morning just so the kids could say hello to us, because we were in our full gear! If [kids] are in a bad mood, as soon as they see someone in pirate gear, nine times out of ten they'll come over to you and be really happy.

"One person that has really supported us is Ali from Cookies n Dream in town."

Lauren added: "The amount of people that have supported us on Facebook is unbelievable.

"Thank you to the community that have been supporting us, particularly Karen and her husband Dave in the Exmouth Indoor Market who have both been very, very supportive.

"If we could list all the people that have supported us, we'd be here until next month!"

Can you tell us about the upcoming event at Copplestone on 14 August?

Simon said: "It's an Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF) event that the Crediton team have put together.

"There's going to be a choir there, with stalls, and cakes. We're going to be handing out stickers to kids, and doing photos.

"We'd rather the parents take the photo, then we'll have collection buckets for donations."

Lauren added: "It's going to be our biggest event this year."

Why did you choose to fundraise for the Exeter Leukaemia Fund?

Simon said: "Lauren did a Prince's Trust course last year, and donated some money to ELF.

"I rang them because I lost my dad at the beginning of last year, and ELF paid for something like 95% of the ward that my dad was on.

"When my dad was alive, the one thing he said that was amazing about ELF was that around Christmas time the nurses dressed up as elves and brought round little stocking-fillers.

"We chose ELF as our charity for the year just to say thank you for all the hard work they do - not just for the patients, but family and friends too."

Can you talk us through the costumes?

Simon said: "Lauren bought me all this costume for Valentine's Day - in excess of £200.

"This is the first time I've worn it - but the sword, the pistol, the dagger, we've had for a couple of years now.

"I've got an 1822 Oliver Cromwell replica sword, a theatre prop flintlock pistol, proper pirate boots with the old buckles, and a pirate captain jacket.

"Lauren has a pirate-era top with leather sleeving, and we bought the fabric for our bandanas from the Exmouth Indoor Market.

"I cut the fabric into triangles and turned them into the bandanas."

You're not looking for new members right now, but what's the best way for people to get in touch?

Simon said: "We're not looking for new members at the moment.

"We want to give it a couple of years to make sure that it is something the local community are willing to support.

"Because of our learning difficulties we want the community to agree that it is the right thing for us and everybody.

"We've got a Facebook group, email [email protected] and phone number 07881 553139."

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