Latest News - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

In celebration of 100 years of collecting, professional artists and master craftsmen will exhibit dazzling new treasures inspired by our collections. Through their work they will explore personal stories and events, expressing the themes of discovery and reflection, journeys, the sea and the navy.

From fine art ceramics to ethereal stitched sculptures, mixed media Art Books, photography and textile pieces New, Found Treasures will showcase the collections as an ongoing, ever changing source of inspiration.

FREE with a valid ticket

Hidden Histories � A Century Of Collecting

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

Get closer to the collections in these sessions to discover some of the fascinating stories behind a century of collecting at the museum. Join the museum�s specialist staff as they give you a unique opportunity to see, hear and even handle selected items from their collections.

All sessions commence at 2.30pm.

Cost �6 per person � including refreshments.

Booking is essential.

For further details please contact 02392 727582 or email: events@nmrn.org.uk

Saturday 8 October

2.30pm

In Their Own Words Voices From The Oral History Collection

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Stephen Courtney and Kate Braun

In an age of digital photographs and mobile phone cameras, take a look back at how things were done in the past and enjoy the opportunity to see images never displayed before. From Daguerreotypes to colour prints, the NMRN photograph collection spans 160 years of naval history.

Saturday 22 October

2.30pm

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Victoria Ingles

From the dramatic experiences of wartime to everyday life on board ship, hear about the highs and lows of naval life as told by those who lived it. From First World War veterans to current personnel and their families, our collection gives a fascinating and often humorous insight into how life in the Navy has changed.

Saturday 5 November

2.30pm

Shining Examples Tales Of Gallantry From The Medals Collection

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Matthew Sheldon

From personal letters, diaries and to memoirs our archive contains many compelling accounts kept by naval personnel. Discover how these give us a unique insight into naval events as well chronicling the impact of social and technological changes during the last 200 years of naval history.

Saturday 19 November

2.30pm

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Richard Noyce

Find out more about the tales of action and daring behind our collections of gallantry medals. Learn why Commander Henry Raby was awarded the first VC in 1855 and hear about Jack Mantle, awarded a VC for his spirited defence of HMS Foylebank in 1940.

Wood from the historic ships at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard donated to sea faring artwork as ...

Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 +0100

Link to a short video made during the visit: http://vimeo.com/24319146

Pieces of wood that were part of HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860 were this morning donated to The Boat Project, an innovative London 2012 Cultural Olympiad art project based on the South Coast and who are currently crafting a 30ft sea faring boat from donated wooden objects which have personal significance to their owners.

The teak wood from HMS Victory�s outer planking of the port forward was gifted by the ship�s Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr DJ �Oscar� Whild RN this Friday (May 27th) in Victory Arena at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, closely followed by piece of pepe wood from the starboard forward bow of HMS Warrior 1860 which was gifted by the ship�s Captain, Ken Jones.

The Boat Project a South East region wide Cultural Olympiad initiative led by artists Lone Twin and supported by Arts Council England is currently creating the special sailing ship at Thornham Marina, Emsworth, West Sussex. It is hoped that the ship will be able to sail along the South Coast during Olympic celebrations next year.

Lone Twin will be visiting various locations in the South East over the course of the Spring and Summer to collect the wooden donations from those unable to make it to the marina in West Sussex in order to make their contribution. Mundane or extraordinary, the wooden donation can be small or large, but it must contain a story. A full list of their stopping points for donation days is listed below.

The Lone Twin team � who include the yacht designer Simon Rogers and boat builder, British Olympic Silver medallist and America''s Cup sailor Mark Covell � are also asking people to nominate a friend, colleague or family member who may relish the chance to set sail with the squad next year as they sail the ship from Weymouth to Margate. Nominations are being accepted until June 13th and by visiting www.theboatproject.com and they are looking for 6 8 willing participants.

Crew members must be over sixteen to apply to crew the vessel but no prior sailing experience is necessarily needed in order to be part of the adventure. Lone Twin would like a mix of people for the team ranging from experienced sailors to complete novices but all must be available during Spring 2012 for training.

Commanding Officer of HMS VICTORY, Lt Cdr Whild said �I am delighted to be able to donate a piece of wood to this innovative project on behalf of HMS Victory and the National Museum of the Royal Navy. The wood was recently removed from the port bow section of the ship�s outer planking as part of the ongoing restoration of the ship. During her time in dry dock, HMS VICTORY has undergone many repairs where wood has been replaced over the years and although it is not usual for the timber to be re used in this fashion, we are very happy to be linked to this project.�

Commander Ken Jones, CEO of the WARRIOR Preservation Trust, said �HMS WARRIOR was built on the banks of the River Lea in East London, over 150 years ago, at the Thames Ironworks and Ship Building company�s yard. Today, this site is Canning Town railway station in the London Borough of Newham� and Newham is the home of the 2012 Olympics. So this piece of WARRIOR will be going home! Although the ship has an armour plated, iron hull there was still a lot of wood used in her construction. The donated timber is a piece of pepe, a hardwood, taken from the restoration work on the bulwarks. We are very pleased to be able to contribute to this exciting project and look forward to seeing the finished boat in London.�

Mark Covell, boat builder, said, �HMS Victory represents so much to so many in that she was instrumental in the history of our nation as the flagship of the Royal Navy. Having grown up on Hayling Island and now still living in the area The Victory has always been a part of my life and now also the life of my children; she is the attraction I have visited most often in my life and by which I have never ceased to be fascinated and excited by. She was also crucial in the development of my professional career as working on the Victory was my first commercial job as a boat builder when I completed my apprenticeship and I felt honoured then as I will do so now to work with her timbers and so contribute to her legacy�

Sally Abbott, Regional Director, Arts Council England, sees The Boat Project as a great opportunity for people in the South East to feel a greater connection to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.

She comments, �The donation from these world famous historic ships will sit proudly alongside all the other fantastic donations that people have already given. The donation days which have taken place so far this spring have been a great success and I am looking forward to watching the construction of the boat progressing in the coming months as well as hearing more about the fascinating donations that will all be part of the boat�s story. We wait with excitement to discover who will be the successful candidates chosen to sail the ship along the South Coast during the Olympics next summer.�

The Boat Project is one of 12 Artists taking the lead commissions to celebrate the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad across the UK, funded by Arts Council England.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Donation days will take place at the following locations:

Havant Donation Day Event 28 May 2011, 10am 5pm

The Spring Arts & Heritage Centre, 56 East Street, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1BS.

Chichester Donation Day Event 4th June 2011, 10am 4.30pm

Marquee in Oaklands Park at Chichester Festival Theatre, PO19 6AP.

Guildford Donation Day Event 26th June 2011, 11am 4pm

Lockwood Day Centre, Slyfield Industrial Estate, GU1 1RR

Bexhill On Sea Donation Day Event 23rd July 2011, 1pm 6pm

Bexhill On Sea seafront, by the De La Warr Pavillion, TN40 LDP

Reading Donation Day Event 24th July, 12pm 7pm

Rivermead Leisure Complex, Richfield Ave, Reading RG1 8EQ.

If you would like to host a donation day in your city, town or village please email Catherine Baxendale: catherine@theboatproject.com

About Artists taking the lead:

Artists taking the lead is part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. 12 public art commissions have been awarded, one in each of the nine English regions, and the nations of Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The winning commissions were selected by independent panels of artists and producers, and are funded by Arts Council England in partnership with the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Creative Scotland and the Arts Council of Wales.

The Boat Project is the winning commission for the south east region. The other projects include a giant column of cloud rising from Merseyside in the north west, a new island nation journeying around the south west coast, a trio of giant crochet lions taking a road trip around the east midlands, and a unique football match in a forest in Scotland. For further information see www.artiststakingthelead.org.uk

About Lone Twin

Led by artists Gregg Whelan and Gary Winters, Lone Twin are one of Europe�s leading performance companies. Celebrated for creating a broad range of projects, from theatrical productions to participatory public events, the company�s work is regularly shown across the world to popular and critical acclaim. Now in its 14th year Lone Twin are embarking on a series of truly ambitious new works: Beastie, a unique live experience for children and Street Dance, an innovative new public dance work. 2010 also saw the premiere of The Festival, the resolving work in Lone Twin Theatre�s Catastrophe Trilogy. Current and recent commissioning partners include the Barbican, London, the Melbourne International Festival, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Brussels, Steirischer Herbst, Graz and Sadler�s Wells, London.

www.lonetwin.com

Nelson gets a make over ready for the centenary celebrations!

Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 +0100

The National Museum of the Royal Navy will be looking its best for the centenary celebrations and the figurehead of HMS Trafalgar in Victory Arena is no exception as Figurehead Historian, Richard Hunter, has been bringing the bust of Lord Nelson back to its former glory.

Richard and his colleague Philip Hudson attracted a lot of visitor attention and questions as they spent over a week on site, painting the figurehead with fast drying enamel paint that should ensure the figurehead�s future for the next decade.

One of Richard�s favourite parts of the process is painting the faces as many of them have lost their character and he can help bring them back to life. Eagle eyed visitors will also notice that this time around Nelson is without detail of his right eye�as per the original figurehead of 1841. Nelson famously lost the sight in his right eye at the siege of Calvi on 10 July 1794 and this is how sailors would have recognised the image of him. The eye has been painted in for previous restorations, so it feels right that now the figurehead should be returned to its original form to celebrate 100 years of naval heritage.

Other details that can be noticed are the medal decorations. After detailed research Richard has changed the gold version of the Order of the Crescent, which was a decoration created by Sultan Selim III in August 1799 specifically to honour Nelson on the first anniversary of the Battle of Nile, and would have been originally been silver.

The one original feature to be left untouched as it was still in good condition was the Breast Star of the Order of the Bath, awarded to Lord Nelson for his role at the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797.

Over the past twenty years Richard Hunter has become increasingly involved in a number of important figurehead restoration projects around the world. Working closely with traditional woodcarvers in the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the United States of America, the art of figurehead and Maritime Carving is not lost. With highly detailed research work and the right craftsman it�s still possible in this modern day and age to have a traditional figurehead carved, however for Richard it�s the survival of original figureheads and their safekeeping that�s most important to him.

Richard comments that: �over the years so many fine looking figureheads have been lost due to apathy and neglect. Important and valuable relics of the world�s rich maritime heritage have been allowed to just simply rot away; the catalogue of lost carvings grows each year. So it has been an absolute pleasure to work on the HMS Trafalgar figurehead. The weather has been great and everyone has been nice, it has been a joy!�

The plaque accompanying the figurehead reads:

H.M.S. TRAFALGAR.
Built as a First Rate of 120 guns at Woolwich
and completed in 1841, 2694 tons.
Took part in the bombardment of Sebastopol in
1854, being towed to her position in the line by
the RETRIBUTION (paddle).
Converted to a two deck screw ship of 90 guns
at Chatham in 1858 59 and in 1873 was renamed
BOSCAWEN, when she became a seaman boy''s
training ship at Portland. Sold in 1905, the year
in which boy''s training became shore based at
Shotley near Ipswich.

For further information about figureheads and Richard�s projects, visit his website: www.figureheads.co.uk

Notes for Editors

There are a number of other exciting events planned by the NMRN as part of the Centenary Celebrations:

Saturday 4 June

2pm

Kings, Vikings Ships and Navies Dr Dominic Tweddle, Director General of the National Museum of the Royal Navy

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

FREE event

Booking is essential.

For further details please contact 02392 727582 or email: events@nmrn.org.uk

Sunday 26 June

11am to 4.30pm

Centenary Celebrations Family Day as part of the Armed Forces Weekend

at The National Museum of the Royal Navy and Victory Arena

FREE event

Open every day from Tuesday 5 July to Friday 30 December

From 10am

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

FREE with a valid ticket

Hidden Histories � A Century Of Collecting

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

All sessions commence at 2.30pm.

Cost �6 per person � including refreshments.

Booking is essential.

For further details please contact 02392 727582 or email: events@nmrn.org.uk

Saturday 8 October

2.30pm

In Their Own Words Voices From The Oral History Collection

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Stephen Courtney and Kate Braun

Saturday 22 October

2.30pm

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Victoria Ingles

Saturday 5 November

2.30pm

Shining Examples Tales Of Gallantry From The Medals Collection

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Matthew Sheldon

Saturday 19 November

2.30pm

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Richard Noyce

St Dunstan�s Welcome Blind American Veterans to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 +0100

A group of blind American Armed Forces veterans have been participating in a week long visit to the UK this month as part of an exchange programme with St Dunstan�s � the UK charity for blind ex Servicemen and women, during which they have visited the attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The activity packed stay has been organised by St Dunstan�s for members of the Blinded Veterans Association U.S.A. (BVA). It is part of an exchange programme called Project Gemini � Gemini being the name of a transatlantic communications cable that links the UK and the US.

The party of twelve consisted of six war veterans plus sighted guides and they were joined by seven St Dunstan�s beneficiaries. With the exception of one member of the group, all the American veterans suffered sight loss while serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Blinded Veterans Association President, Dr Roy Kekahuna, a former Special Forces Major, served in the Vietnam War.

As well as visiting Portsmouth Historic Dockyard during the week, they have also visited St Dunstan�s rehabilitation and training Centre in Brighton, which helps Serving and ex Service personnel who have lost their sight due to conflict, age or illness. There they learnt of the cutting edge techniques and equipment the Centre uses to give thousands of blind veterans greater independence, and they also experienced the strong camaraderie amongst the St Dunstan�s beneficiaries. On a recreational level they have been able to try out archery and acoustic rifle shooting.

Ray Hazan, President of St Dunstan�s said �The visit extends the co operation between our two nations both on the battlefield and its subsequent consequences. Throughout its� 96 year existence, St Dunstan''s has advised and encouraged other similar war blind organisations�.

Tom Zampieri, BVA Director Government Relations. �On behalf of the Blinded Veterans Association, we are so honoured to be able to participate in the Project Gemini program at St Dunstan�s. Like St Dunstan�s, the BVA have striven over decades to help each generation of visually impaired veterans. We constantly work with our Department of Veterans Affairs Blind Services to facilitate new ways to improve on the technology training and vision research services for our blinded veterans.

We are coming over to learn from each other and strengthen the bonds that we share as veterans.�

Notes to editors

� St Dunstan�s, established in 1915, is the national charity providing lifelong bespoke rehabilitation and training to blind Serving and ex Service personnel to help them discover a life beyond blindness.

� St Dunstan�s is a centre of excellence for welfare support, rehabilitation, training, respite and nursing care with the aim of enabling beneficiaries to regain their independence, meet new challenges and achieve full lives.

� St Dunstan�s supports anyone who has served in the Armed Forces who has lost their sight due to war, age, accident or illness and the charity�s duty of care extends to all beneficiaries and their families for life.

The Blinded Veterans Association

The Blinded Veterans Association was established specifically to help veterans and their families meet and overcome the challenges of blindness.

The Association�s mission is to promote the welfare of blinded veterans so that, notwithstanding their disabilities, they may take their rightful place in the community and work with their fellow citizens toward the creation of a peaceful world.

Blinded Veterans Association party.

Tom Zampieri. B.V. Director of Government Relations.

Dr. Roy Kekahuna. B.V. National President.

Major Derek Johnson. Executive Officer Vision Centre of Excellence.

Steve Beres. B.V.

Doug Cereghin. B.V.

Jeff Mittman. B.V.

Alan Tong. B.V.

St Dunstan�s party.

Ray Hazan. Blind Veteran and President of St Dunstan�s.

Simon Brown. B.V.

Colin Williamson. B.V.

Steve Sparkes. B.V.

Jamie Cuthbertson. B.V.

Mark Threadgold. B.V.

Peter Walker. B.V.

Follow in the footsteps of your ancestors�

Wed, 25 May 2011 00:00:00 +0100

As part of their activities to celebrate 100 years of naval heritage within Portsmouth Dockyard the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) is offering its visitors a chance to step back in time. A new trail around the galleries gives them a chance to discover the artefacts which fascinated the first museum visitors in 1911.

The original museum known as the Dockyard Museum was conceived by Mr Pescott Frost, then Secretary to the Admiral Superintendent at Portsmouth. With a passion for naval history he devoted his free time to spearheading a project to save items for future generations, eventually leading to the opening of a new Museum. His foresight ensured the survival of many interesting and important artefacts, several of which are still on display today.

Some of the featured exhibits include the figurehead from HMS Bellerophon the vessel on which Napoleon surrendered following his defeat at Waterloo and a large working model of HMS Vanguard used to teach cadets and apprentices how to set sails for varying weather conditions.

The �Centenary Trails� are available from 28th May until the end of the year and can be collected from the information desks at the museum, or shop, free of charge. They will also be adding to their website in the coming weeks

(http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/Centenary.htm).

Notes for Editors

There are a number of other exciting events planned by the NMRN as part of the Centenary Celebrations:

Saturday 4 June

2pm

Kings, Vikings Ships and Navies Dr Dominic Tweddle, Director General of the National Museum of the Royal Navy

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

FREE event

Booking is essential.

For further details please contact 02392 727582 or email: events@nmrn.org.uk

Sunday 26 June

11am to 4.30pm

Centenary Celebrations Family Day as part of the Armed Forces Weekend

at The National Museum of the Royal Navy and Victory Arena

FREE event

Open every day from Tuesday 5 July to Friday 30 December

From 10am

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

FREE with a valid ticket

Hidden Histories � A Century Of Collecting

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

All sessions commence at 2.30pm.

Cost �6 per person � including refreshments.

Booking is essential.

For further details please contact 02392 727582 or email: events@nmrn.org.uk

Saturday 8 October

2.30pm

In Their Own Words Voices From The Oral History Collection

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Stephen Courtney and Kate Braun

Saturday 22 October

2.30pm

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Victoria Ingles

Saturday 5 November

2.30pm

Shining Examples Tales Of Gallantry From The Medals Collection

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Matthew Sheldon

Saturday 19 November

2.30pm

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Richard Noyce

Bargain Hunt Visits Portsmouth Historic Dockyard!

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 +0100

NEWSFLASH!

3rd episode aired on BBC1 on Monday 23rd May, 2011 featuring the Great Cabin of HMS Victory (23.14 into programme)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011jvbp/Bargain_Hunt_Series_29_Ardingly_11/

2nd episode aired on BBC1 on Tuesday 17th May, 2011 featuring the figureheads at the National Museum of the Royal Navy (23.30 into programme)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b011cq4s/Bargain_Hunt_Series_29_Ardingly_10/

1st episode aired on BBC1 at 12.15pm on Wednesday 11th May, 2011 featuring HMS Victory and the Devis painting (23.10 into programme)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0117c1g

HMS Victory and the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) were taken over by Bargain Hunt yesterday (Monday 14th March, 2011), as Portsmouth Historic Dockyard became the latest location featured in four upcoming episodes of the BBC ONE favourite.

The production team filmed four separate "inserts" with Bargain Hunt''s presenter Tim Wonnacott, ably assisted behind the scenes by Curators from the NMRN, Stephen Courtney and Richard Noyce.

The inserts consisted of the Great Cabin on board HMS Victory with items belonging to Admiral Lord Nelson, the Orlop deck with the Arthur Devis painting portraying �The Death of Nelson�, the figureheads in the Victory Gallery of the NMRN and the reserve collection in the attic of the museum featuring some personal items of Nelson.

In the ten years that they have been filming Bargain Hunt programmes (approx. 100 programmes per year) they have visited scores of stately homes and museums up and down the country. They have filmed "inserts" at Chatsworth and Burghley, at numerous National Trust properties and in fascinating museums and galleries. The team said that visiting Portsmouth Historic Dockyard was quite a departure for them, but they were thrilled and excited to try something new!

Bargain Hunt is currently one of the most popular daytime shows on British television attracting daily audience figures of around 2.3 million.

To find out what Tim Wonnacott had to say about the site then watch out for the features being broadcast in the coming months on BBC1 at 12.15pm, just before the main lunchtime news bulletin at 1pm.

Photos courtesy of Stephen Courtney � to see more follow the NMRN on facebook http://www.facebook.com/NMRNPortsmouth where they will be posted shortly.

Children to take over The National Museum of the Royal Navy and HMS Victory

Thu, 19 May 2011 00:00:00 +0100

As part of the National Museum of the Royal Navy�s centenary celebrations, over fifty Year 6 pupils from Stamshaw Junior School in Portsmouth will take on the challenge of running the museum and HMS Victory for the whole day on July 13th.

Throughout the summer term the junior workers will get ready for the big day by learning how museums work and discovering more about individual jobs from curators and guides, to administrators, learning staff and shop workers and even the Director General � plus, the opportunity to work with the Royal Navy on HMS Victory.

On the 13th July all the planning and hard work will come together, as they officially take over the museum and the iconic ship, making the changes that they want to see. Anything could happen as control is passed to the youngsters from Stamshaw�

In the run up to the day a number of fact finding and �training� activities will take place both in school and at the museum including:

26th May Pupils come for a �get to know the museum� day and meet the members of staff they are replacing

17th June Pupils visit the museum to start planning the takeover day

5th July Planning continues at the museum

13th July Takeover day

Claire Jordan, Learning Officer, said �We are all really excited to find out what the children will do when they take over the museum! After the first meeting in school they were buzzing with ideas and I can�t wait to see what they come up with!�

Notes for Editors

In addition to the Children�s Museum Takeover Day there are a number of other exciting events planned by the NMRN as part of the Centenary Celebrations:

Saturday 4 June

2pm

Kings, Vikings Ships and Navies Dr Dominic Tweddle, Director General of the National Museum of the Royal Navy

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

FREE event

Booking is essential.

For further details please contact 02392 727582 or email: events@nmrn.org.uk

Sunday 26 June

11am to 4.30pm

Centenary Celebrations Family Day as part of the Armed Forces Weekend

at The National Museum of the Royal Navy and Victory Arena

FREE event

Open every day from Tuesday 5 July to Friday 30 December

From 10am

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

FREE with a valid ticket

Hidden Histories � A Century Of Collecting

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

All sessions commence at 2.30pm.

Cost �6 per person � including refreshments.

Booking is essential.

For further details please contact 02392 727582 or email: events@nmrn.org.uk

Saturday 8 October

2.30pm

In Their Own Words Voices From The Oral History Collection

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Stephen Courtney and Kate Braun

Saturday 22 October

2.30pm

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Victoria Ingles

Saturday 5 November

2.30pm