Latest News - Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

February Half Term Will Put A Spring In Your Step!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Enjoy a full day out at the unforgettable Portsmouth Historic Dockyard for a half term that will keep the whole family entertained with activities, crafts, trails and demonstrations.

HMS Warrior 1860 will keep the younger generation amused in their Family Activity Area on the lower deck mess with pirate art and craft, costumed role play as sailors swabbing the decks and colouring and quiz sheets, or they can take part in the Follow the Flag family trail around the ship both run every day of the holidays from 10am 4.30pm.

Budding spies out there can Crack the Code on board HMS Warrior (Tuesday 14th Thursday 16th February, 11am 12noon & 2pm 4pm) using Signal Flags and Semaphore to spell their name and send messages from ship to shore and to become a secret agent, make a spy gadget and send coded messages to family and friends. Or let your visit go with a bang on Tuesday 14th Saturday 18th February (10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 1.45pm and 2.30pm) with a Small Arms Demonstration on board the iron hulled ship, where visitors can learn all about naval weaponry in Victorian times including guns, cutlasses and swords.

The Mary Rose Museum will be teaching all ages how to write Tudor style, with feather quills and ink! Running from Saturday 11th February Sunday 19th February, 11am 1pm & 2pm 4pm. They will also be embracing Valentines An unlikely Romantic was Henry VIII, but it seems that even one of history''s most notorious womanisers had a softer side at least in the beginning... On Thursday 16th February, The Mary Rose Museum will host their Third Thursday Talk Love Letters From A King 12noon 12.30pm. This talk is FREE.

There is a FREE drop in workshop at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, on Wednesday 15th February (11am 1pm and 2pm 4pm) where young explorers can make keepsakes for friends or loved ones inspired by sailor crafts and mementos from the museums collection.

If all that excitement hasnt warmed everyone up then embrace the cold at HMS Victorys Baltic Blockade (Thursday 16th February, 11am 1pm & 2pm 4pm) and discover all about HMS Victorys years in the Baltic what life was like for the sailors, which Baltic materials were used on Victory and create a new artefact to take home inspired by the frozen seas.

For full details of Whats On over the holiday period, please look at the listings at the end of this release and for further information about the extensive year round events programme please visit www.historicdockyard.co.uk/events.

The ticket for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard includes entrance for 1 year. Tickets cost: adults �21.50, seniors �18.35, children �15.80, students �18.35 and a family ticket costs �62.15 (up to 5 members of the same family with a maximum of 2 adults or seniors). Entrance to the Historic Dockyard is free for those wishing to visit the retailers, cafes and Antiques Storehouse.

Spring Half Term

Saturday 11 Sunday 19 February

All school holiday activities are included with a valid ticket unless otherwise stated. All under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

Saturday 11 Sunday 19 February 10am 4.30pm

Follow the Flag Family Trail

On board HMS Warrior 1860 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

FREE with a valid ticket

Saturday 11 February Sunday 19 February 10am 4.30pm

Family Activity Area

On board HMS Warrior 1860 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Once the lower deck mess and schoolroom for young officers, Warriors Gun Room is now somewhere you can bring your young "sailors" for R&R. This half term, enjoy pirate art and craft, costumed role play as sailors swabbing the decks and colouring and quiz sheets.

FREE with a valid ticket

Saturday 11 February Sunday 19 February 11am 1pm & 2pm 4pm

Writing: Tudor style

The Mary Rose Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Try your hand with feather quills and ink. Hands on activity for all the family

FREE with a valid ticket

Tuesday 14 Thursday 16 February 11am 12noon & 2pm 4pm

Crack the Code

On board HMS Warrior 1860 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Use Signal Flags and Semaphore to spell your name and send messages from ship to shore. Become a secret agent, make a spy gadget and send coded messages to your family and friends.

FREE with a valid ticket, Drop in activity all ages welcome

Tuesday 14 Saturday 18 February 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 1.45pm and 2.30pm

Small Arms Demonstration

On board HMS Warrior 1860 at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Learn all about naval weaponry in Victorian times including guns, cutlasses and swords.

FREE with a valid ticket

Wednesday 15 February 11am 1pm & 2pm 4pm

Sailors Keepsakes
The National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Make special keepsakes for friends or loved ones inspired by sailor crafts and mementoes from our collection.

FREE drop in workshop, all ages welcome

Thursday 16 February 11am 1pm & 2pm 4pm

HMS Victorys Baltic Blockade

On board HMS Victory at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Brrrrrrrr! Join us to discover all about HMS Victorys years in the Baltic. Find out what life was like for the sailors, discover which Baltic materials were used on Victory and create a new artefact to take home inspired by the frozen seas.

FREE with a valid ticket. Drop in, all ages welcome.

Thursday 16 February 12noon 12.30pm

Third Thursday Talk "Love letters from a King"

The Mary Rose Museum Theatre at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

The love letters and songs of Henry VIII.

FREE No booking or ticket required

Fall In Love at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard may not be the obvious place for love to blossom but this Valentines Day the site will be looking at love stories of the past and hoping to ignite future romance.

In 1949 Joyce Benton was asked by a friend if she wanted a Navy penfriend. As she felt grateful to the Navy for everything they had done during the war she agreed and received a letter from Bob Reid. He then came to Portsmouth about a month later when Joyce (aged 16) and Bob (aged 20) met on Friday evening they attended a dance on the Saturday evening before meeting again on the Sunday afternoon. Bob wrote again as soon as he returned to the Royal Navy and asked Joyce to marry him. The next time they met two months later was in the church on their wedding day 31st Dec 1949, having only met on the one weekend two months before and after only one date. They remained married for 54 years.

This is just one of the stories in the archives at the National Museum of the Royal Navy and will be displayed for the first time this year with photos of them at the time, on their wedding day and on their Golden Wedding anniversary, alongside Bobs medals for Korea, his photo album, and Service documents, which were all donated by their daughter ensuring that their memory and love for each lives on.

An unlikely Romantic was Henry VIII, but it seems that even one of history''s most notorious womanisers had a softer side at least in the beginning... On Thursday 16th February, The Mary Rose Museum will host their Third Thursday Talk Love Letters From A King 12noon 12.30pm. This talk is FREE.

For the younger generation of Romeo and Juliets there is a FREE drop in workshop at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, on Wednesday 15th February (11am 1pm and 2pm 4pm) where they can make keepsakes for friends or loved ones inspired by sailor crafts and mementos from the museums collection.

And, for those already loved up, they can attend the Wedding Fair on board HMS Warrior 1860 on Monday 20 February (5pm 9pm), admission is �2.50 (specialevents@hmswarrior.org or 023 92 778604 for tickets and details.)

PLUS, for the first time this year HMS Warrior 1860 will be lighting up with a large love heart on her masts, that will stay until the end of the month for leap year lovers!

Image of Ross and Kate Clifford looking at the exhibition of love stories in the National Museum of the Royal Navy. They are the current generation of love stories in the Historic Dockyard, having got engaged on board HMS Victory during A Victorian Festival of Christmas 2009.

Phil Packer brings inspiration to young people of Portsmouth on his epic 2012 mile walk and ...

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

An epic bid by Phil Packer MBE to walk 2012 miles around Britain this year despite being told hed be unlikely to walk again will reach Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on Monday 30th January. He is calling on the local community to join him in the challenge and show their support for young people facing adversity.

Phil, the founder of the British Inspiration Trust who suffered severe spinal cord damage in 2008, is asking the young people, businesses and public of Britain to get involved in raising �15million to build a Centre of Inspirational Excellence for young people needing to overcome adversity. In Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, he will be walking 10 miles starting from the Visitor Centre at 10:00 and is appealing for young people to voice their support for his quest online. He also wants people of all stages to join him on the local leg of his walk to show that they back his bid to build the facility.

Over the course of 2012 Phil is making his way through locations chosen by young people in every county of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, including Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. On the way, he is meeting Britains youth who are facing physical and mental adversity.

"Im asking communities across the country to come together and join me in our mission to help young people believe in themselves again. As part of this journey I am appealing for people in Portsmouth to show that they care about the youth of their community and their country by backing what Im doing so Britain sits up and takes notice," said Mr Packer.

Given his three way focus of engaging youth in the challenge, supporting charities and building a centre for inspiration using funding from businesses, Phils BRIT 2012 Challenge has three distinct elements:

Red Every school, college & university in Great Britain and Northern Ireland is invited to register for the BRIT 2012 Challenge and complete 2012 miles in 2012 as a team purely to support the youth by acknowledging there are young people who face adversity.

White BRIT is asking 2012 businesses to take a �5,000 or �10,000 or Pledge (there are 1,000 of each) to raise the �15million for the BRIT Centre of Inspirational Excellence; the whole workforce can also complete the 2012 miles as a team should they wish.

Blue Every charity is encouraged to register with BT My Donate so that any member of the public, as an individual or team, can register for the BRIT 2012 Challenge and raise funds for a charity of their choice.

Registration for The BRIT 2012 Challenge is via the BRIT website, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. The money raised by the business world will help build a unique BRIT Centre of Inspirational Excellence, a facility in Chichester, West Sussex, that will provide support to help reshape the lives of young people facing adversity and instil a new sense of self belief. The centre will work closely with charities so they can identify young people who face their darkest times and could benefit from attending a residential course at BRIT. Phil already has 50 charity CEOs as BRIT advisors who believe in the need for the centre.

"My work supporting other charities over the last four years and meeting young people facing adversity identified the importance of regaining self belief, self confidence and self worth. The mental and psychological challenges of facing adversity are immense, and meeting positive role models and inspirational figures who are willing to spend time with young people is a stepping stone to overcoming adversity. My vision is for a centre that serves young people, and brings charities and their best practice together, helping out youth to decide what they want to achieve in life and how to do it. Im also asking local businesses to consider how they can get involved with a pledge that shows their support of our youth and the future of our country," said Phil.

Phil is walking each stage at specific venues rather than on roads, to ensure that there is no traffic disruption or burden to the police or local authorities. The BRIT 2012 Challenge will finish in London in December.

ends

Notes to Editors

The BRIT Focus

With a wealth experience gained from listening to young people, BRIT defines Young People facing Adversity as those aged between 16 and 25:

� With a physical or mental disability, or medical condition;

� With injuries including wounded service personnel

� Young carers & those suffering deprivation

The Government estimates 1 in 17, or 600,000, young people are classed as having a disability in the UK. BRIT understands that coping with adversity can be devastating. Dealing with the loss of self esteem, confidence and self worth can plunge an individual into a dark place from which they do not know where to turn and this is where BRIT will aim to help.

BRIT is represented by The Young Persons Visionary Steering Group, made up of young people from charities that support BRIT, which helps steer to the cause forward and ensure young people are at the heart of what the charity does. BRIT has the support of politicians, high profile mentors and 50 CEOs.

About Phil Packer MBE

Phil Packer served in Her Majestys Forces for 17 years and sustained spinal cord damage in February 2008 while serving on operational duty. Subsequently told it was highly unlikely he walk again, Phil has since founded BRIT (the British Inspiration Trust). He rowed the English Channel, walked the London Marathon over 14 days on crutches, and hauled himself up El Capitan completing 4,250 pull ups in three days, raising �1.3million for wounded military personnel in 2009. Phil received the Pride of Britain Fundraiser of Year Award and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Helen Rollason Award. In 2010, he climbed the Three Peaks during 72 hours for Sport Relief, before smashing his time in the London Marathon by completing the 26 miles in 26 hours for 26 charities, accompanied on each mile by a young person from each charity. He received the MBE (military) in 2010 Queens Birthday Honours List for services to the armed forces, prior to his retirement in March 2010.

Phil Packer is the founder and non paid chief executive of the British Inspiration Trust.

Emmy Award Winning Costumes from The Tudors to go back on display at the Mary Rose Museum

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Friday 13th January to 15th April 2012

At the Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

The Mary Rose Trust is delighted to again be able to display some of the costumes, which were worn during the final season of the Emmy Award winning series The Tudors starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

The costumes will go on display in the Mary Rose Museum from Friday 13th January until Sunday 15th April 2012. Entry can be gained with a ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The nine costumes on display will be those that were worn by Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII, Joss Stone as Anne of Cleves, Joely Richardson as Catherine Parr, Maria Doyle Kennedy as Catherine of Aragon, Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn, Annabelle Wallis as Jane Seymour and Tamzin Merchant as Catherine Howard.

They were on show in 2010 at the Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design Exhibition in the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Museum & Galleries, Los Angeles. They came to the UK for the first time in 2011 where they went on display at the Mary Rose Museum before moving onto the Royal Armouries in Leeds to appear in an outstanding exhibition.

Joan Bergin is the Costume Designer and winner of the 2010 Emmy for Outstanding Costume for a Series, along with Wardrobe Supervisor Susan Cave. Bergin also won Emmys for the series in 2007 and 2008 and received Irish Film and Television Academy awards in 2008 and 2009. Her museum quality costumes were featured in a Macys display in New York City on St. Patricks Day. Bergin has contributed to movies including My Left Foot, In the Name of the Father and The Prestige. She has recently worked on the Starz Network production of Camelot, starring Eva Green and Joseph Fiennes.

Across the series of The Tudors they made around 500 costumes and rented and modified countless others. The degree of skill can be seen in every detail of the costumes from cloth to braid to button.

In an interview with the LA Times, Bergin described The Tudors as a strange blend of trying to be as authentic as possible but with a twist. She wanted people to look at it and say, Look how sexy and foxy, rather than, Oh! who would wear that? Balenciaga corsets and Degas ballerinas were her inspiration.

The loan of the costumes has been through the generous support of Joan Bergin and the creator and writer of The Tudors Michael Hirst, who gave a talk about the making of the series last year at the museum.

Michael Hirst commented that:

I am delighted to offer my support to the new Mary Rose Museum appeal and would encourage everyone with an interest in British History to support it too, and perhaps contribute something towards the �35 million, which it will cost to transform the Museum into a wonderful contemporary space through which to explore our extraordinary past.

The discovery of Henry VIIIs flagship and its retrieval from the sea bed, with thousands of contemporary artefacts, is reason enough to reinvent and reinvigorate a Museum which already houses many iconic objects from our glorious naval history.

So I wish the Trust well in all its endeavours to do justice to what was once lost and in darkness, but is now found and in public sight once more.

The costumes are on display during the museum opening hours which is daily from 10.00am 4.30pm. For more information please go to www.historicdockyard.co.uk or call the Mary Rose Museum office 02392 812931.

The Mary Rose Trust would like to acknowledge Joan Bergin for the loan of the costumes, Debenhams Southsea and the National Museum of the Royal Navy for the loan of mannequins.

Theres more to Action Stations than you think�

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Action Stations at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is now offering special interest tours focusing on the fascinating history of the historic building, Boathouse No. 6.

Lasting approximately two hours, the tours focus on the history of Boathouse No.6, from construction in 1848 until the installation of the present Action Stations attraction in 2001.

Boathouse 6 was designed by Lieutenant Roger Beatson, Royal Engineers, Portsmouth Dockyards Superintendent of Civil Engineering Work, and built between 1845 and 1848. It was used for the building, repair and storage of small ships boats. These were pulled up one of the three slipways outside the front of the building from the Mast Pond by hand using block and tackle, and then brought into the building through large wooden doors. Some of the rings used still survive along the front of the building and set into the ground floor. The building was in use as a boathouse until the Portsmouth Blitz in March 1941, when a bomb destroyed much of the rear part. A temporary patch was added to make the building serviceable and was not replaced until the conversion into Action Stations in the late 1990s.

All this history and more can be seen throughout the building and this specialist tour will encourage visitors to view Action Stations in a way they have never done before. They may also discover that walls really can talk and tell their own unique story...

Tours will begin in either Boathouse No.7 or the Mezzanine Caf� with a complimentary tea or coffee upon arrival before a guided tour of the building.

Special interest tours are priced at �7.50 per person (4 10 people) and �5.50 per person (11+ people). Alternatively, if looking for something a little more special, then Action Stations can provide exclusive evening tours at �10.50 per person, giving private access to the building after normal opening hours. All tours are a minimum of 4 people per tour and include entry to the Action Stations attraction.

Please note all tours must be booked a minimum of 72 hours in advance.

Some areas within the tour are not accessible by a lift.

For further details on the specialist tours or to book please contact the Action Stations Operations Manager on: (023) 9289 3318 or email: enquiries@actionstations.org

Also available at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the world famous HMS Victory, one of the UKs leading maritime museums the National Museum of the Royal Navy, HMS Warrior 1860 the first iron hulled ship powered by steam and sail, the Mary Rose Museum[i] and a Harbour Tour. For further details, please contact 023 9283 9766 or visit the website www.historicdockyard.co.uk.

[i] Entry to the Mary Rose Museum until 31st August 2012.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy Joined The ONE Show For Their Christmas Celebrations!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Eagle eyed viewers of BBCs The One Show on Friday 23rd December would have seen The National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard joining in the Christmas celebrations alongside presenters Chris Evans and Alex Jones and guests David Jason and Bear Grylls, as resident food expert Jay Rayner proudly displayed the museums Christmas Pudding, thought to be the worlds oldest!

The Christmas pudding dated 1900 and sent to the Naval Brigade during the Boer War was given to The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN), last year, after having been left in the back of a food cupboard for years.

The decorative tin appeared on the show in all the glory you can expect from a 111 year old plum pudding. Despite clearly showing signs of age the message can still be read: "For the Naval Brigade, In the Front, With Miss Westons Best Christmas & New Year, 1900, Wishes."

Miss Weston is of course Miss Agnes Aggie Weston, known as the Mother of the Navy, devoted friend of sailors, superintendent of the Royal Naval Temperance Society and ultimately founder of the Royal Naval Sailors Rests at Devonport and Portsmouth. Shortly before her death she was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1918 and was buried with full naval honours.

Miss Westons values are carried through in every detail on the front of the pudding label: "Peek, Frean & Cos Teetotal Plum Pudding LONDON, High Class Ingredients Only". The other side of the tin is an illustration in an Oliver Twist style showing children holding out their plates.

The label also carries the following instructions: "This pudding is ready for use but may be boiled for an hour if required hot."

Richard Noyce, Curator of Artefacts at the NMRN, accompanied the pudding on its journey to the London studios and had the pleasure to meet everyone on the show: "We were thrilled to be invited to bring our Christmas pudding onto The ONE Show and to not only have it discussed by the presenters and fantastic guests, but to showcase it to millions of viewers. In the everyday life of a curator you come across many gems but you dont expect to be rubbing shoulders with a national treasure such as David Jason!"

The pudding is now back on display at the museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, along with some WWI and WWII navy rations including an orange and some chocolate, as well as a more recent Christmas box sent to the Navy on operations in Iraq.

Winners Announced!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Mary Rose Trust Time Capsule Competition

Sponsored by Warings Construction Ltd

Haslemere Preparatory School has been announced as the winner in the Mary Rose Museum Time Capsule Competition. They win �500 for their school and they will also attend the ceremony on the 18th March to mark the laying of the foundation stone for the new museum and the burial of their 8 items in the time capsule.

Entries came from primary and secondary schools across the country as well as Scout groups. The judging panel blindly marked the entries from Surrey, West Sussex, Lancashire, Wales, Herefordshire, London, Greater Manchester, Yorkshire, Bedfordshire as well as Hampshire and Portsmouth.

Learning Officer for the Mary Rose Trust, Clare Barnes explained that they chose the winning entry because "the imaginative mix of items chosen by Haslemere Prep School offers a snapshot of current affairs as well as the everyday life of the British people in early 2011, just as the Mary Rose is a snapshot of Tudor life."

The two runners up were St John''s Cathedral Catholic Primary School, Portsmouth and Crookhorn College of Technology, Waterlooville who will both be invited to take part in activities on the day of the ceremony.

The items chosen by Haslemere Prep included:

A souvenir of the wedding of William and Kate

An Argos catalogue

A cheque book

The Top 20 songs for March 2011

A model of the Ark Royal and a poppy

A cricket bail

A mobile phone

An energy saving light bulb

Patrick Wenham, Headmaster, commented: "Our Year 6 boys were delighted to hear the news that they had won the competition. They really enjoyed the discussion about what should go inside the capsule and hope to be there in 2061 when it is dug up again!"

The new Mary Rose Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will open in 2012 in time to mark the 500th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Mary Rose, the flagship of King Henry VIII. It is one of the most ambitious and significant heritage projects in recent years.

Many will remember seeing the raising of her hull in 1982, but thats just a small part of the story there were also over 19,000 artefacts recovered, forming a unique Tudor time capsule. Now, with the help of Haslemere Prep School, there will also be 8 items to represent everyday life in the UK in 2011.

The winning entry will be buried in the floor of the new museum to be opened in 50 years, ensuring that the legacy of the Mary Rose carries through each generation.

The Mary Rose

The Mary Rose is the only 16th century warship on display anywhere in the world. Launched in 1511, she was one of the first ships able to fire a broadside, and was a favourite of King Henry VIII.

After a long and successful career, she sank during an engagement with a French fleet in 1545. Her rediscovery and raising were seminal events in the history of maritime archaeology.

A dedicated Mary Rose museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, remains open while the ship hall housing the preserved wreck is temporarily closed during construction of the new Mary Rose Museum. The amazing artefacts discovered with the great ship, remain on display and new exhibits, including Hatch, the ships dog, are being introduced to maintain the highest quality of visitor experience.

The new Mary Rose Museum will, for the first time since her sinking, re unite the ship and her contents, fully preserved and presented in a time capsule of Tudor life at sea.

New image released of the Mary Rose Museum in 2012

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Mary Rose Trust and internal architects Pringle Brandon have just released a new illustration of how the new Mary Rose Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will look when it opens to public in Autumn 2012.

The previously released interior images show the museum as it will look in 2016 once the conservation process is complete, but the ship hull is about to enter the final phase of conservation as the sprays are turned off later this year and visitors will have a unique look into the complexities of preserving this fascinating Tudor Warship when she is back on display next year.

The 17 years treatment to conserve the ships timbers by spraying with polyethylene glycol comes to an end this year, but it will still take another five years for the ship to dry out. Head of Conservation at the Trust, Professor Mark Jones said, "Our visitors in 2012 will be able to see this final phase of conservation by looking into a hotbox and seeing both the ship and the process for removing the 100 tons of water the timbers now contain. This should all be gone by 2016, when we can take away the hotbox and reveal the ship completely. But even when she is fully dried out, the buildings temperature, light and humidity will be very carefully controlled to ensure that all the artefacts are preserved in perpetuity".

The new image shows the Mary Rose hull in her hotbox with ducting running throughout. There will be windows through which visitors can view the hull until 2016, when the hull can then be viewed in her entirety.

2012 will mark thirty years after the entire nation was glued to televisions watching the wreck of the Tudor warship break the surface of the Solent, and will be when the Mary Rose Trust will open a new museum, bringing the hull and most of the 19,000 artefacts that were raised with her together once again.

Many will have visited the Mary Rose in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard[i]. The current museum near the dockyard entrance displays a fraction of the artefacts raised with the ship while, some distance away, beyond the stern of HMS Victory, the timbers of the ship could be seen through a mist of spray.

This is already changing. The museum remains open but the Ship Hall is now closed and work has started on enveloping it in a brand new museum to open in Autumn 2012.

John Lippiett, Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust, said: "It is a huge challenge to build safely not only over a unique 450 year old structure but also on a site which is itself a Scheduled Ancient Monument. But we have a team combining some of the best architectural, engineering and construction practices in the world and for us they have developed a scheme which managed to be both stunning and subtle. It is hugely sympathetic to its dockyard surroundings and at the same time highly practical for our unique needs".

The building has been designed by Wilkinson Eyre, a prolific firm but probably best known for the Millennium Bridge, crossing the Tyne between Gateshead and Newcastle. For the Mary Rose, they have designed an elliptical jewel box, placing the hull at the centre with galleries running the length of the ship, each at a level corresponding to the deck levels on the ship. Artefacts will be set out in these galleries, designed by the architect and maritime archaeologist Chris Brandon, so that the visitor can see what the decks would have looked like moments before the ship sank. There will also be six galleries arranged by theme to help tell the personal stories and working life of the crew onboard.

Warings, a member of the international construction and services group Bouygues, is delivering the construction phase of the �35 million project for the Mary Rose Trust.

Philippe Jouy, Warings Managing Director, added; "This is a project which will pose some unique challenges for our dedicated team. Not least is the immense care required to build a modern museum around the precious timbers of the ship as the final stages of its conservation continues. We are well equipped with the necessary skills and expertise and are proud to be leading this landmark development to protect and preserve a British historic icon.

The museum will represent the very best in 21st century architecture and construction, providing a beautiful and secure environment for the finest collection of 16th century artefacts in the world."

The existing Mary Rose Museum remains open during construction to offer an amazing visitor experience with more than 1,000 of the finest conserved artefacts recovered from the site.

To help secure the future of The Mary Rose visit www.maryrose500.org

[i] The Mary Rose

The Mary Rose is the only 16th century warship on display anywhere in the world. Launched in 1511, she was one of the first ships able to fire a broadside, and was a favourite of King Henry VIII.

After a long and successful career, she sank during an engagement with a French fleet in 1545. Her rediscovery and raising were seminal events in the history of maritime archaeology.

The new Mary Rose Museum will, for the first time since her sinking, re unite the ship and her contents, fully preserved and presented in a time capsule of Tudor life at sea.

MARITIME GREAT, MARY ROSE, IMMORTALISED ON UK �2 COIN

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Famous Tudor warship features on special �2 coin entering circulation this year

The Royal Mint is commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Mary Roses launch in Portsmouth in 1511 by issuing a �2 coin depicting the famous English warship, part of King Henry VIIIs Tudor battle fleet. This limited edition �2 coin will enter circulation this year, finding its way into the nations change up and down the country.

Not only is the �2 coin entering circulation but special commemorative versions have also been struck in the precious metals Gold and Silver. Created in strictly limited numbers, these coins are finished to a higher quality than a circulating coin, showing the design in perfect clarity. They are available to purchase today at www.royalmint.com

The coin was shown at the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth, home of the salvaged wreck, alongside Tudor coins raised from the sunken ship. It is released in the same year the Mary Rose Trust starts to lay the foundations on a new Mary Rose museum to once again bring together the ships remains with the 19,000 Tudor artefacts recovered with her in 1982. The Mary Rose, the Tudor Navys flagship was launched during King Henry VIIIs reign but sank when she listed too steeply and the gunports flooded during the Battle of the Solent in July 1545.

The coin depicts the ship in a design created by artist John Bergdahl, showing the grand Tudor warship in profile, in a similar scene to the only contemporary image that exists of the ship. The numerous flags and banners are recreated, flowing from tall masts with her armament of guns visible.

John Bergdahl explains the inspiration behind his design: "After a trip to the museum currently home to the Mary Rose, I was immediately inspired by the only acknowledged painting of this iconic vessel an image that I used as the basis for my design."

Commenting on the design Dr. Kevin Clancy, Head of Historical Services at the Royal Mint, said: "The Royal Mint is very pleased to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Mary Roses maiden voyage in 1511 on a special commemorative �2 coin. We were especially impressed with the way the designer captured the stature and presence of this great Tudor ship on the coin."

Rear Admiral John Lippiett, Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust, said; "This elegant new coin is a fitting tribute to the worlds only surviving Tudor Warship and the finest collection of Tudor artefacts recovered with her. If everyone who found one of these Mary Rose �2 in their pocket were to donate the same amount to us at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard where she was built, then we would complete our outstanding appeal of �3m for the new �35 million Mary Rose Museum. Without this money, the future of this national icon is not yet secured".

Enjoy a wide range of events at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard this February Half Term

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Mary Rose Museum is displaying a fantastic range of costumes from the multiple Emmy Award winning series "The Tudors" on BBC2 now. On display in the AV theatre of the museum and in aid of the Mary Rose 500 appeal, the costumes are those worn by the likes of Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII and his many wives. Entry can be gained with a ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard or free via the museum shop where it is hoped that the public will generously donate to the Mary Rose 500 Appeal to help build the new museum to open in 2012, where more of these stunning exhibitions will be possible. Visitors are advised to call 02392 750521 or visit www.maryrose500.org to ensure availability before visiting.

"Aiming High for Disabled Children" has joined forces with attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with free February family fun days for local families with children and young adults (5 19) with disabilities. Action Stations, The National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Mary Rose Museum will welcome families during February with a wide range of fun and engaging activities. (See listings for full details of workshops and activities).

The National Museum of the Royal Navy kicks off its Hidden Histories series of talks with "Talking Textiles". This fascinating and unique afternoon will be looking back at the history of embroidery and textiles and give visitors the chance to handle selected items from the collections. There is a small charge of �6 per person which includes refreshments for the afternoon. Booking is essential and can be done by emailing events@nmrn.org.uk or calling 02392 727582.

HMS Warrior will also be encouraging visitors to Follow the Flag as they discover more about the men who lived and worked on board as well as cracking and creating codes using semaphore.

Tudor Games and Pastimes will be the theme at the Mary Rose Museum and families will have the chance to challenge each other to discover how Tudor entertainment compares to today.

Listings

February Half Term

Saturday 19th Sunday 27th February

Open everyday from Saturday 29th January to Thursday 31st March

11am 3pm

"The Tudors Courtly Couture Collection" Costumes from the BBC hit TV show "The Tudors"

at the Mary Rose Museum

As the multiple Emmy Award winning series "The Tudors" starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers returns for its climactic final season, the Mary Rose 500 Appeal are thrilled to be showcasing some of the costumes for the very first time in the UK, including Henry VIIIs orange and bronze war costume from the final series that has been used on the promotional posters.

The costumes will go on display in the AV Theatre of the Mary Rose Museum from Saturday 29th January until Thursday 31st March. Entry can be gained with a ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard or free via the museum shop where it is hoped that the public will generously donate to the Mary Rose 500 Appeal to help build the new museum to open in 2012, where more of these stunning exhibitions will be possible.

Open from 11am 3pm on most days, but is advisable to check before visiting at www.maryrose500.org, the MaryRose500 Facebook or Twitter feed or by calling Fiona Harvey, Appeals fundraiser 023 92 750 521 ext 228.

Throughout February

10.30am 3.30pm

"Aiming High for Disabled Children" February Fun Days

with the Mary Rose Museum, National Museum of the Royal Navy and Action Stations

Attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard have joined forces with Aiming High for Disabled Children to offer fantastic, FREE February Fun Days for local families with children and young adults (5 19) with disabilities.

Action Stations, The National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Mary Rose Museum will welcome families during February with children and young adults with disabilities, to give them a taste of what the Historic Dockyard has to offer.

On each of the days, families will spend either a morning or afternoon at Action Stations taking part in the Rocket Workshop, where they will work together to design, build and launch their very own water rocket, which can fly up to and above 30 metres!

They can then choose whether to complete their day at the National Museum of the Royal Navy taking part in a Chinese New Year inspired art session led by professional artist Debbie Dodsworth, or visit the Mary Rose Museum and find out more about life in Tudor times with dressing up and object handling! Each attractions sessions are available on different days to give as many people as possible the chance to take part.

Aiming High for Disabled Children have provided funding for these sessions as they are committed to providing families with disabled children and young adults new and exciting opportunities.

There are also a limited number of FREE tickets to the Historic Dockyard to give away to families who take part, so they can come back in their own time to explore the museums and historic ships for themselves.

On each of the following days there will also be a workshop available at Action Stations

National Museum of the Royal Navy Saturday 5th February 2011

National Museum of the Royal Navy Saturday 19th February 2011

Mary Rose Museum Wednesday 23rd February 2011

Mary Rose Museum Friday 25th February 2011

Sessions run from 10.30 am and finish at 3.30pm with a free lunch available for participants.

Sessions must be booked through Action Stations

Telephone: 023 9289 3316

E mail: events@actionstations.org

Website: www.actionstations.org

Daily:

11am 1pm and 2pm 4pm

Tudor Games and Pastimes

at the Mary Rose Museum

Hands on activities for all the family

FREE with a valid ticket and children must be accompanied by an adult

Daily from Monday 21st February

10am 4.30pm

Follow the flag family trail

on board HMS Warrior 1860

Find out about the men who lived and worked on board Warrior

FREE with a valid ticket

Tuesday 22 Thursday 24 February

11am 12noon and 2pm 4pm

Crack the Code

on board HMS Warrior 1860

Use Signal Flags and Semaphore to spell your name and send messages from ship to shore.

Become a secret agent, make a spy gadget and send coded messages to your family and friends.

FREE with a valid ticket

Drop in activity all ages welcome

Wednesday 23rd February

11am 1pm and 2pm 4pm

Salty Sea science

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

Come along to our lab and have a go at some surprising sea science! Discover how sea creatures have inspired the navy, how ships float and lenses work, make a crazy kaleidoscope and lots, lots more!

FREE drop in workshop, all ages welcome

Thursday 24th February

11am 1pm and 2pm 4pm

HMS Victorys Baltic blockade

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy

FREE with a valid ticket, drop in, all ages welcome

Thursday 24th February

11am 3pm

Sea Life Roadshow

with the National Museum of the Royal Navy at St Francis Church Hall, Leigh Park, Havant

Join us for a free family event at St Francis Church Hall, Leigh Park. Funded by Find your Talent (PUSH), Making Space and the National Museum of the Royal Navy are taking to the road to bring to you a fun filled day of craft, storytelling, object handling, dressing up and lots of other exciting things to see and do. All completely free and on your doorstep!

FREE event, all ages welcome.

For details contact 02392 727584 or email: events@nmrn.org.uk

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 museums 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 26th February

2.30pm

Talking textiles

at the National Museum of the Royal Navy with Matthew Sheldon

For everyone interested in embroidery and textiles, this afternoon will give you the unique opportunity to view the museums collection and discover the stories behind the pieces. Including wool works created by sailors from the 1800s onwards, embroidery from Lady Hamiltons dress and a flag captured from a slave ship, the afternoon is guaranteed to fascinate.

Further information about the extensive events programme can be viewed at www.historicdockyard.co.uk/events.

Popular writers of page and screen announced for guest talks in support of the Mary Rose 500 Appeal

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Mary Rose 500 Appeal will be hosting two fascinating talks at the museum in the coming weeks to help raise money for the building of the new museum to open in 2012.

The first talk is by esteemed author and historian, Dr Suzannah Lipscomb as she explores King Henrys very own annus horribilis the year 1536. Prince to Tyrant What Changed Henry VIII is taking place on Thursday 3rd March.

The second talk is from the creator and writer of the BBC TV series The Tudors, Michael Hirst, on Thursday 24th March he will be talking about the series with the final episode airing on Saturday 26th March.

Dr Suzannah Lipscomb is a Lecturer in Early Modern History at the University of East Anglia, and the author of 1536: The Year that Changed Henry VIII (Lion Hudson, 2009). Tudor historian Dr David Starkey said that Ms Lipscombs book, 1536, represented "a bold and original attempt to unravel... how, when and why Henry VIII changes from a handsome Prince Charming into a fat and loathsome Bluebeard".

Suzannah has appeared on BBCs The One Show, GMTV, Channel 4s Time Team, and the History Channel. She has presented BBC Radio 3s The Essay, contributed to numerous publications and radio programmes, including The Sunday Telegraph, History Today, and BBC Radio 4.

Michael Hirst, the writer and creator of the worldwide hit TV series The Tudors will be at the Mary Rose Museum to talk about the show that has been accused of "sexing up history". The Tudors which has been shown in 70 countries and which is currently being shown on BBC2 on Saturday nights, has generated some furious debate amongst audiences and historians over the accuracy of its historical content.

Michael will be speaking about why the show has been such a worldwide success. There will be behind the scene exclusives and Michael will share his thoughts and feelings on the shows controversial reputation.

Michael Hirst has commented that:

"I am delighted to offer my support to the new Mary Rose Museum appeal and would encourage everyone with an interest in British history to support it too, and perhaps contribute something towards the �35 million which it will cost to transform the Museum into a wonderful contemporary space through which to explore our extraordinary past.

The discovery of Henry V111s flagship and its retrieval from the sea bed, with thousands of contemporary artefacts, is reason enough to reinvent and reinvigorate a Museum which already houses many iconic objects from our glorious naval history.

So I wish the Trust well in all its endeavours to do justice to what was once lost and in darkness, but is now found and in public sight once more."

Tickets for the talks also include a chance to view the Emmy Award costumes currently on display from the TV series, The Tudors (Saturday night 9.45pm BBC2) and a tour of the Mary Rose Museum.

Listings

Mary Rose Museum:

Thursday 3rd March, 7 9pm

Prince to Tyrant What Changed Henry VIII (Talk by Dr Suzannah Lipscomb)

Tickets �8.50

Thursday 24th March, 7 9pm

Michael Hirst Talk

Tickets �10

Advance booking only by telephoning Fiona Harvey, Appeals Fundraiser, on 023 92 750 521 or emailing info@maryrose500.org

Further information at www.maryrose500.org

National Museum of the Royal Navy long listed for Clore Award

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN), Portsmouth, is one of ten museums across the UK that have been long listed for the inaugural �10,000 Clore Award for Museum Learning. The new award is aimed at championing excellence in museum learning and is run in parallel with the Art Fund Prize, the UKs largest arts prize celebrating excellence and innovation in museums and galleries across the UK.

The NMRN were selected for Face to Face: Documenting experiences of conflict An innovative film project with primary school pupils and veterans exploring the impact of war.

Deborah Hodson, Learning Manager at the NMRN commented: "We are thrilled that Face to Face, and the relationships formed between the pupils, veterans and Museum, has been recognised in the long list. The veterans had a vital chance to tell their stories and be recognised, the pupils acquired invaluable new skills and life lessons, and for us it has led to news ways of working, creating invaluable partnerships and resources that exceeded expectations."

This intergenerational project saw younger, Year 5, Key Stage 2 pupils take on the role of filmmakers interviewing naval veterans (past and present) to produce short documentaries and Remembrance Kitbags exploring experiences of conflict and their impact on individuals as well as society.

The pupils worked closely with 12 veterans including a World War 2 Voluntary Aid Detachment Naval Nurse, a World War 2 Wren, Normandy Veterans, Arctic and Atlantic Convoy Veterans, Cold War, Falklands War, Bosnian and Gulf War Veterans. Another 20 veterans also assisted in the later stages by taking part in Armed Forces Day and Remembrance activities, trialling activity ideas, locating images and artefacts and generally giving advice.

To create the films the pupils got to know the veterans and worked together with them to research photographs, archives and artefacts and discuss personal experiences and viewpoints. The pupils were then trained by professionals from Harvest Films to prepare and conduct the interviews, source locations, operate sound and camera equipment, ensure continuity and edit film.

After the filming, the pupils and veterans worked with museum staff to help create unique Remembrance Kitbags for use by schools, community groups and in reminiscence work with veterans associations and care homes.

The result has led to a range of exciting new resources available for use in the future including:

13 Short Films/interviews of veterans and a Making of documentary
8 Remembrance Kitbags (including the Face to Face DVD, handling objects, photographs, documents, background information and activity ideas) available for loan to schools, local community groups and Care/Rest Homes for use in reminiscence sessions.

A new workshop based around the Remembrance Kitbags available to schools visiting the Museum.

The resultant films were shown at a fun packed Film Premiere held at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard attended by the project participants and veterans themselves as well as local councillors, teachers, Heritage Lottery Fund and Museums, Libraries and Archive council representatives, the Royal Navy, staff and volunteers from other regional museums and learning organisations, plus local press and TV.

The resources created as part of the project have been very well received by schools and community groups as well as veterans and their families. Over 1500 people have taken part in these related activities to date. The quality of the films has also led to requests for their use in special events around the city. Since the spring, the films have also been made available to a much wider audience as they were selected for the BBC Big Screen in Portsmouth. As a result of their popularity in Portsmouth, they are now also being shown on the Big Screen in Dover.

The pupils involved in the project also gained significant experience in teamwork and life skills from the veterans for example, when asked if they had learnt new skills pupil responded with: To be kind, How to talk to older people, How to be much more cooperative, To work as a team and Faraday, aged 9, who said "I have learnt a lot but most of all Ive learnt never to give up and keep trying until the end".

This project was also significant for the veterans themselves, comments included: "I appreciated the chance to tell my story for the simple reason that it means my 2 mates didnt get killed for nothing. I wear my medals because they cant and it is nice to know that youngsters want to know about it, my friends didnt die for nothing."

Supported by the Clore Duffield Foundation, the Clore Award for Museum Learning 2011 will be presented on 15 June 2011. The award recognises quality, impact and innovation in using museums and galleries for learning activities and initiatives.

Sally Bacon, co chair of the Clore Award for Museum Learning, said: "We were delighted to see such a diverse range of submissions in terms of scale, subject matter, location and reach. I realised early on that we werent looking for footprints in the sand, but for projects which had made a real and lasting impact on learners lives, and on the future work of the whole museum.

Our selection includes projects focused on digital storytelling; intergenerational work; the value of play; and children designing and making their own museums. All ten long listed projects demonstrate the power of museums to be active hubs of learning and engagement within their local rural or urban communities and how important it is to keep such work going in this difficult economic climate."

HMS Warrior Moves to Gunwharf Quays!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

In her 150th year, HMS Warrior 1860 has set sail for new horizons at Gunwharf Quays not the iron hulled warship but a 12 foot schematic drawing of the famous ship.

The magnificent artwork by Stephen Ortega depicting the interior of the ship is to be re housed from the offices at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to the appropriately named Warrior boardroom at Gunwharf Quays, as part of the partnership work between the centre and tourist attraction.

Ortega was a student at the Bournemouth & Poole College of Art and Design when he created the picture and it is known to have either been commissioned by or donated to the Maritime Trust, who in turn donated it to the Warrior Preservation Trust in 1987.

Ken Jones, Captain of HMS Warrior 1860, commented: "It seems fitting that this artwork should take pride of place in the boardroom named after our treasured ship and further demonstrates that the links between the dockyard and HMS Vernon/Gunwharf sites remain as strong as they were 150 years ago when Warrior was in service".

HMS Warrior 1860 is a ship of exceptional importance, representing a key moment in the evolution of warship design, between Nelsons Victory of 1759, and Dreadnought (1906). She was the first ship to combine an iron hull, steam propulsion and armour plating, and when launched was the largest and most powerful warship in the world a testament to the vision and inventiveness of the Victorian period. Her revolutionary design marked the start of a new era in naval architecture and maritime strategy.

In August 1979, Warrior was rescued from serving as an Oil Fuel Hulk on the Cleddau River and towed to Hartlepool to undergo the most complex and successful ship restoration ever undertaken. Restored to her former glory, Warrior returned to her home port of Portsmouth on 16th June 1987, where she remains afloat as a permanent feature of the citys skyline and an attraction at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which attracts almost 500,000 visitors each year.

This isnt the first move for the Ortega drawing as it was loaned out to the Science Museum in the summer of 1987 and was also once displayed in the Portsmouth Civic Offices. Since then it has moved location several times, mainly due to redecoration or change of use of the room in which it was displayed. Moves include the Visitor Centre, Boathouse 4 and Action Stations at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Portsmouth Grammar School and now Gunwharf Quays, having taken 2 hours for the Gunwharf team of eight to move between the locations!"

Peter Emery, Director of Gunwharf Quays says "I am very keen to establish better links with neighbouring attractions, as well as recognising Gunwharf Quays historic importance with the Royal Navy.

The Ortega painting holds a special significance to the centre as HMS Warrior was moored as a training hulk to HMS Vernon, Gunwharf Quays from 1904 1924 and will now take pride of place in the Warrior Boardroom.

In addition to the Ortega painting, I have recently taken on loan artefacts from the Royal Navy stores at HMS Nelson (including a stunning huge portrait of Admiral Vernon) and some outside exhibits from the Explosion museum."

With the new acquisition of the Warrior artwork in the main conference boardroom that overlooks the ship, it ensures that the pride of Queen Victorias fleet continues to be the pride of Portsmouth Harbour.

Mary Rose Trust Time Capsule Competition

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

2012 will not only mark the 500th anniversary of the maiden voyage of the Mary Rose, the flagship of King Henry VIII, but also the opening of the brand new Mary Rose Museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, in one of the most ambitious and significant heritage projects in recent years.

Many will remember seeing the raising of her hull in 1982, but thats just a small part of the story there were also over 19,000 artefacts recovered, forming a unique Tudor time capsule. Now, with help of the new generation of explorers, the Mary Rose Trust is challenging schools and youth organisations to create their own time capsule of 8 items to represent everyday life in the UK in 2011.

Professor Mark Jones, Head of Collections at the Mary Rose Trust said: "We asked the team at the Trust to come up with objects from the collection that in their view represented life on board the Mary Rose 500 years ago. They suggested a range of everyday items such as a wooden spoon, a nit comb (complete with Tudor nits), a gold coin and the rosary beads. Life has certainly moved on since that time! We all look forward to seeing the results of the competition and to finding out what young people think represents life in 2011".

The winning entry will then be buried in the floor of the new Mary Rose Museum during a special ceremony to mark the laying of the foundation stone on 18 March 2011.

The prize, generously sponsored by the Portsmouth based builders of the new museum, Warings Contractors Ltd, also consists of �500 for the winning organisation to purchase educational resources for the benefit of their group.

Entrants are asked to bear in mind the shape and size of 45cm long x 25cm diameter as they suggest their 8 items. The time capsule will be opened in 2061 so the items will also need to last for 50 years!

The competition will be judged by an independent panel who shall decide, in their absolute discretion, the winner and they will be notified on Friday 25 February 2011. The winning group will then be required to send in their collection of items by Friday 11 March 2011.

Representatives of the winning group will be invited to the official ceremony to hand over their time capsule and witness the laying of the foundation stone.

Download the official entry form from www.maryrose.org

Completed forms to arrive by 4:00pm on Friday 18 February 2011:

Time Capsule Competition, Mary Rose Trust, College Road, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LX.

Important note: no physical boxes or objects should be sent as part of an application.

Emmy Award Winning Costumes from The Tudors to go on display for Mary Rose 500 Appeal

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

As the multiple Emmy Award winning series "THE TUDORS" starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers returns for its climactic final season on Saturday 22nd January (BBC2 21.45), the Mary Rose 500 Appeal are thrilled to be showcasing some of the costumes for the very first time in the UK, including Henry VIIIs orange and bronze war costume from the final series that has been used on the promotional posters.

The eight costumes on show will be those that were worn by Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry VIII, Joss Stone as Anne of Cleves, Joely Richardson as Catherine Parr, Maria Doyle Kennedy as Catherine of Aragon, Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn, Annabelle Wallis as Jane Seymour, Tamzin Merchant as Catherine Howard and Claire MacCauley as Princess Elizabeth Tudor.

They were on display last year at the Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design exhibition in the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising Museum & Galleries, Los Angeles; but this will be the first time they will be displayed in the UK.

Joan Bergin is the Costume Designer and winner of the 2010 Emmy for "Outstanding Costume For A Series", along with Wardrobe Supervisor Susan Cave. Bergin also won Emmys for the series in 2007 and 2008 and received Irish Film & Television Academy awards in 2008 and 2009 as well. Her museum quality costumes were featured in a Macy''s display in New York City on St. Patrick''s Day. Bergin has contributed to movies including "My Left Foot," "In the Name of the Father" and "The Prestige." She is currently working on the Starz Network production of "Camelot," starring Eva Green and Joseph Fiennes.

Across the series they made about 500 costumes and rented and modified countless others. The degree of skill can be seen in every detail of the costumes from cloth to braid to button.

In an interview with the LA Times, Bergin described "The Tudors" as a strange blend of trying to be as authentic as possible but with a twist. She wanted people to look at it and say, "Look how sexy and foxy," rather than, "Oh! Who would wear that?" Balenciaga corsets and the Degas ballerinas were her inspiration.

The loan of the costumes has been through the generous support of Joan Bergin and the creator and writer of "The Tudors", Michael Hirst who will also be visiting the Mary Rose Museum for an event on the 24th March 7 9pm talking about the series with the final episode airing on Saturday 26th March. Tickets will be priced at �10 with proceeds going to the Mary Rose 500 Appeal.

Michael Hirst commented that:

So I wish the Trust well in all its endeavours to do justice to what was once lost and in darkness, but is now found and in public sight once more."

The exhibition will be open from 11am 3pm on most days, but is advisable to check before visiting at www.maryrose500.org, the MaryRose500 Facebook or Twitter feed, or by calling Fiona Harvey, Appeals fundraiser 023 92 750 521 ext 228.

There will also be a series of Get the Look workshops surrounding the exhibition including knitting and beading workshops at the Museum, talks by Dr Suzannah Lipscomb on Henry VIII and Elizabeth Norton on Catherine Parr. Further details are available as per the contact details above.

The Mary Rose 500 Appeal would like to acknowledge Debenhams Southsea and the National Museum of the Royal Navy for the loan of mannequins, Arts University College Bournemouth for help in putting the collection exhibition together, Joan Bergin for the loan of the costumes, Michael Hirst writer and producer and Sony for their use of images.

Listings:

The Tudors Courtly Couture Collection

Saturday 29th January Thursday 31st March 2011 at the Mary Rose Museum (AV Theatre)

Free with a ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard or entry via the Mary Rose Museum Shop donations to Mary Rose 500 Appeal

11am 3pm on most days, but is advisable to check before visiting at www.maryrose500.org, the MaryRose500 Facebook or Twitter feed or by calling Fiona Harvey, Appeals fundraiser 023 92 750 521 ext 228.

Workshop dates:

Saturday 5th February Knitting for Beginners 10am 1pm �15

Saturday 12th February Decorative Knitting Techniques 10am 4pm �35

Saturday 5th March Knitting for Beginners 10am 1pm as above

Saturday 26th March Kids from Fame legwarmers 10am 4pm �35 as above

Tutor Ingrid Murnane costs include knitting needles and yarn.

Saturday 2nd April Beading for beginners 10am 4pm

Tutor SallyAnn Dunn Cost �40 includes materials

Places limited to 10 advance booking necessary call Fiona 023 92 750 521

Thursday 3rd March Prince to Tyrant What happened to Henry VIII Talk by Dr Suzannah Lipscomb Tickets �8.50

Thursday 28th April Catherine Parr the last queen of Henry VIII and Regent General of England Talk by Elizabeth Norton Tickets �9.50

Information from www.maryrose500.org or by calling Fiona Harvey, Appeals fundraiser 023 92 750 521 ext 228.

William L Wyllie Weekend at The National Museum of the Royal Navy

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is proud to celebrate Wyllies achievements with a special weekend (Fri 8th Sun 10th July, 2011)devoted to his life, works and the Royal Navy they depict.

William Wyllie is acknowledged as one of the leading and most prolific marine artists at the turn of the century. A former winner of the Turner Gold Medal, his work remains at the forefront of marine art.

Wyllies association with Portsmouth is intertwined with HMS Victory, having moved to Portsmouth in 1907, where he lived until his death. He campaigned vigorously for the restoration of HMS Victory as a founder member of the Society for Nautical Research.

Lectures by leading experts in their fields will reveal not only the life and times of Wyllie, but also his artistic style, and how the struggle continues even today to preserve his legacy for future generations. There will also be a walking tour around Old Portsmouth, bringing to life many of the places Wyllie lived and worked, as well as the locations where he painted.

Enhancing the weekend will be a medley of Gilbert and Sullivan accompanied by readings; tunes which William used to whistle while he painted, as well as the opportunity to purchase original Wyllie works of art.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy is delighted to confirm:

� Nigel Grundy, a personal friend of the Wyllie family and recognised by many as a leading expert on the life and works of W L Wyllie.

� Richard Pelter founder of the International Fine Art Conservation Studios. His company undertook a major restoration of perhaps Wyllies most famous work, the Panorama of the Battle of Trafalgar, which is on view in the National Museum.

� John T Freeman, artist and lecturer who will deliver his own thoughts on The Textures of the Sea Wyllie and British Romanticism.

� Robert Perera, Art Dealer, who will be presenting original works that can be purchased.

The highlight of the weekend is the rare privilege to dine on the lower gundeck of HMS Victory, Nelsons Flagship at Trafalgar, at mess tables slung between the 32 pounder guns.

Profits from this event will go towards the Museums work in preserving and interpreting the history of the Royal Navy.

A full brochure, including booking form can be accessed via http://www.ecomags.co.uk/williamwyllieweekend/index.html

The cost for the weekend will be �475 per person, excluding accommodation. There is also the option of just booking for the dinner on board HMS Victory on the 8th July 2011 for �150 per person.

If you would like any further information, or to discuss any aspect of the event, please contact:

Giles Gould

The National Museum of the Royal Navy

HM Naval Base (PP66)

Portsmouth

Hampshire PO1 3NH

Tel: +44(0)23 9272 7583

Email: giles.gould@nmrn.org.uk

Notes For Editors

Programme:

Saturday 9th July

10.00 Coffee on arrival, National Museum of the Royal Navy

10.30 Lecture One Nigel Grundy The life and works of W L Wyllie Part 1

11.15 Refreshment break

11.30 Lecture One (cont) Nigel Grundy The life and works of W L Wyllie Part 2

12.30 Lunch cold fork buffet

13.45 Depart NMRN for a walking tour of Old Portsmouth, approx 1 mile, taking 90 minutes, with breaks. Guests will be taken by coach to the start of the tour and returned to the dockyard at the end, if they wish.

19.00 Drinks Reception & Canap�s, accompanied by readings and a concert: Medley of Gilbert and Sullivan.

20.00 Hot buffet supper

Sunday 10th July

09.30 Guided tour of HMS Victory

10.15 The Trafalgar Experience & The Panorama, where guests will be presented with a complimentary copy of The Panorama of the Battle of Trafalgar written by Val Billing

10.45 Coffee on arrival, National Museum of the Royal Navy

11.00 Lecture Two Richard Pelter, IFACS, The Battle with Trafalgar; ship shape and Bristol fashion.

12.00 Refreshment break

12.15 Lecture Three John T Freeman, ''The Textures of The Sea Wyllie and British Romanticism

13.15 Presentation of original works by Robert Perera, Art Dealer following which, customers will have the chance to purchase an original Wyllie work of art.

13.30 Lunch

15.00 Carriages

Speakers

Nigel Grundy BA (Hons), MSc.

Nigel is a personal friend of the Wyllie family, and has produced 3 documentary DVDs about Wyllies life and work. Recognised by many as a leading expert on the life and works of W L Wyllie, Nigel has spoken about this subject for the BBC. He has written a Portsmouth Paper, W.L. Wyllie R.A., The Portsmouth Years, for Portsmouth City Museum and hopes to be launching his latest book at the Wyllie weekend.

During his talks, Nigel sketches the life and times of Wyllie, explaining both the private tragedies which afflicted him, such as the loss of two sons in the First World War and the death of a handicapped daughter, as well as the artistic influences, of which Turner was the most significant, which shaped his development as a painter. Wyllie''s devotion to ships and the sea is lovingly expounded and his part in preserving HMS Victory for the nation is deftly handled.

Following his talks Nigel will be leading his highly respected walking tour round Old Portsmouth, stopping and commenting on many places where Wyllie lived, worked and painted during his lifetime. A tour which has proved so popular that it has formed the foundation of his new book.

Richard Pelter ACR, FBAPCR, Director, Head Conservator

Richard founded the International Fine Art Conservation Studios (IFACS) in 1969, under the name of West of England Restoration Studios. The company became International Fine Art Conservation Studios Ltd in 1985, to reflect its growing presence in the global market. IFACS has maintained a tradition of employing highly qualified and experienced conservators, who have completed many prestigious heritage conservation projects for clients in the UK and abroad. Clients include Westminster Cathedral, Windsor castle, Wilton House and Hampton Court Palace.

Richard is an accredited member of the Institute of Conservation (Icon), and former Chairman and Vice Chairman of its Stone & Wall Paintings section (UKIC), a fellow of the British Association of Picture Conservator Restorers (BAPCR) and former chairman of the organisation. He is also a member of the International Institute for the Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (IIC) and the International Council of Museums (ICOM).

In 1999 Richard and his company undertook a major restoration of perhaps Wyllies most famous work, the Panorama of the Battle of Trafalgar, which is on view in the National Museum.

John T Freeman

John was born in London 1958 and studied painting at Bath Academy of Art (Corsham) 1976 77 and then at Chelsea School of Art 1977 80.

Since leaving college, whilst continuing to paint, he has developed a particular interest in etching and is now considered by some to be one of the most important and innovative living etchers. Examples of his work can be seen in his books, in particular "I London" and "Paris Workings" and found in the collections of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford and the Glynn Vivian Museum in Swansea. He has also exhibited widely, both nationally and internationally.

Teaching is an important part of his working life and over the past few years he has taught in several institutions, including Hurtwood House, the Prince of Wales Drawing School and currently at West Dean College. John has also delivered many lectures, most notably at Tate Britain, mainly about Eighteenth Century British Art in which he has a particular interest and an encyclopaedic knowledge.

He joins us this weekend to deliver his own thoughts on The Textures of the Sea Wyllie and British Romanticism.

Robert Perera

Robert Perera Fine Art is a family business with over fifty years experience in the Fine Art business. They specialise in original works by professional artists covering the period from the turn of the century to the present day.

In 2004 Robert Perera Fine Art was asked by the BBC''s Flog it antique program to talk about their extensive collection of W.L.Wyllie R.A. paintings and etchings. The program, based in Portsmouth, visited Robert Perera Fine Art in Lymington to learn a little more about the work of this talented marine artist.

Robert Perera accompanied the BBC''s Paul Martin to the Historic Dock Yard in Portsmouth to visit "The Panorama of the Battle of Trafalgar" painted by Wyllie in 1930. This 42ft x 12ft panorama is said to be his greatest work. Tower House, Wyllie''s home in Portsmouth was visited in order to compare the seascapes in Wyllie''s etchings with the modern view from the Round Tower.

Robert will be bringing with him a large selection of original works that guests will have the opportunity to view on the Sunday afternoon, and ultimately purchase should they wish.

Children with disabilities 'Aim High' at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Dates throughout February (see below)

Attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard have joined forces with Aiming High for Disabled Children to offer fantastic, free February Fun Days for local families with children and young adults (5 19) with disabilities.

Aiming High for Disabled Children have provided funding for these sessions as they are committed to providing families with disabled children and young adults new and exciting opportunities. Abi Jameson from Aiming High believes that sessions like this are very important in giving families the chance to learn and have fun together, "Portsmouth has something very special to offer at the Historic Dockyard and we want children and young adults with disabilities to enjoy being a part of this, whilst also having a fantastic day out with their families".

Booking & Information

Telephone: 023 9289 3316

E mail: events@actionstations.org

www.actionstations.org

Dates

On each of the following days there will also be a workshop available at Action Stations

National Museum of the Royal Navy Saturday 5th February 2011

National Museum of the Royal Navy Saturday 19th February 2011

Mary Rose Museum Wednesday 23rd February 2011

Mary Rose Museum Friday 25th February 2011

Sessions run from 10.30 am and finish at 3.30pm with a free lunch available for participants.

There are also two additional days being offered exclusively to members of the Portsmouth Autism Support Network (PASN) on

Saturday 12th February at the National Museum of the Royal Navy and Thursday 24th February at the Mary Rose Museum.

Rare Sea Gallantry Medal has been presented to the National Museum of the Royal Navy

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

A rare Sea Gallantry medal awarded posthumously in 1944 to a heroic coastguard has been presented to the National Museum of the Royal Navy, along with extensive research notes, photographs and original documents, on the 26th January, at a ceremony attended by the Chief Executive of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, Vice Admiral Sir Alan Massey KCB, CBE.

On 13th October 1944, HM LCT(A) 2454 (His Majestys Landing Craft Tank (Armoured) Mk.5) was caught in a force 9 gale whilst en route from Dartmouth to Portland. Her engine failed and despite attempts to anchor, the vessel was swept onto the shingle bank at Chesil Beach, Dorset, where her back was broken.

The local Coastguard Rocket Lifesaving Company, from Wyke Regis, were quickly at the scene and managed to get lines onto the vessel, but eleven of the crew were washed overboard by the 30ft waves together with the lines. Two coastguard officers, Commander Legh DSC, Coastguard inspector of the Southern Division and Coastguardsman Treadwell ran into the surf in an attempt to pass the lines by hand but both were swept away and drowned. A further attempt was made by another three coastguards who were swept back ashore.

In an amazing feat of endurance Auxiliary Coastguard George Brown stayed in the surf for over 30 minutes and managed to get aboard and pass the lines to the two remaining crew. He and one of the crew were hauled ashore but the remaining line broke before the final crewman could be rescued. Albert Oldfield, another Auxiliary Coastguard, succeeded in passing a line to him and he was subsequently saved.

Nine of the thirteen Royal Navy crew, made up of 2 officers and 11 ratings, had died along with two Coastguard officers assisting the rescue party ashore. Only four survivors remained.

One of the Coastguard officers who lost his life attempting to rescue the crew from the surf was Robert Henry Treadwell aged 35. His body was washed up in Chesil Cove the following day and he was buried in the RN Cemetery at Portland. Mr Treadwell had served in the Royal Navy as a Signalman since 1925. His RN service ended on his 30th birthday a few months before the outbreak of World War Two when he transferred to the Coastguard service.

Coastguardsman Treadwell was posthumously awarded the Silver Sea Gallantry Medal as was Commander Legh. George Brown also received the Silver Sea Gallantry Medal together with the Royal Humane Society Silver Medal and the Stanhope Gold Medal for the bravest successful rescue in 1944. The Silver Sea Gallantry Medal is extremely rare with only seven awarded between 1937 and 1947. It was last awarded in 1989.

Treadwells medal collection and research material compiled by Coastguard Watch Assistant Phillip Chappell, was officially presented to the Museum by Treadwells step son, Mr Raymond Morris.

Personal Stories To Be Highlighted In The New Mary Rose Museum

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Personal stories are to be highlighted at the new Mary Rose Museum, due to open in Autumn 2012, as the collection is reunited with the ship for the first time since her raising in 1982.

Speaking in a video update on the progress of the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard development, Head of Interpretation at the Mary Rose Trust, Christopher Dobbs, revealed a mock up display cabinet for the carpenter, complete with personal possessions.

As previously described by Nick Butterley in an earlier update (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuubZnpnQMk) the first area, on the ground floor, will be one of six galleries showing items by type and themes. The Context Gallery, on the two upper levels, will then position exhibits opposite the areas of the ship where they would originally have been found.

Christopher describes how there are many stories locked up in the collection, which the new museum will be able to tell more effectively, and the mock up display is a vitally important part of the preparation process.

The planning initially starts with the objects in the collection and then the stories emerge...

They are looking at how the stories then relate to other parts of the collection before designing the displays and looking at the best form of lighting to make the objects shine to their best.

"Im very lucky that the carpenters cabin was actually the section of the ship that I was in charge of excavating," said Christopher.

"But now I think the challenge and exciting thing is making all those stories, all these objects available to the public in a new and exciting way."

You can watch the full interview here:

Book Your Historic Dockyard Visit Before February 11th!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Since November 1st 2010, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has been welcoming many local residents through the gates as part of joint scheme with Portsmouth City Council. The scheme is offering a discount on site tickets to all Portsmouth library card holders and is running until February 11th 2010.

Following the success last year of Portsmouth Historic Dockyards Dockyard on your Doorstep campaign, in which thousands of local residents took advantage of a heavily discounted ticket offer over a long weekend; Portsmouth library card holders can receive 50% off an adult, senior, child or student ticket to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard by showing their card at the Visitor Centre on site.

There is only a short time left for library card holders to take advantage of this offer which will come to an end on February 11th. The tickets are valid for one year with unlimited entry to Action Stations, HMS Warrior 1860 and the National Museum of the Royal Navy and valid for one entry to HMS Victory, Mary Rose Museum and a Harbour Tour[1].

Furthermore, by showing their library card with their ticket, visitors can also receive 25% off food and drink at Boathouse No. 7 Restaurant within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Robert Bruce, Managing Director of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard explained: "It is often the case that people don''t visit what''s on their doorstep. Sometimes price can be a barrier so by linking with Portsmouth City Council and cutting our tickets by 50% we have removed that barrier."

Lindy Elliott, Head of Libraries added, "Portsmouth Libraries are delighted to offer our members this great offer, in partnership with the Historic Dockyard. Libraries have always supported the naval heritage of Portsmouth and this is a great opportunity for our members to experience these iconic ships first hand.

We have been delighted with the response to this offer over the past few months. With the promotion due to end in a few weeks, we would love to see even more local people take advantage of this great attraction in our city, using their Library Card."

Ends

Notes For Editors

Terms and Conditions:

� This offer is only available on one adult, senior, child or student ticket per card holder.

� This offer does not include family tickets.

� Tickets are not transferable.

� This offer is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.

� Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

� You must show your library card within these dates to receive the discount, 1st November 2010 to 11th February 2011.

[1] Subject to availability

HMS Victory 89 years in No2 Dry Dock!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

89 years ago on the 12th January 1922, HMS VICTORY was moved into her final resting place of Number 2 Dock, His Majestys Dockyard Portsmouth, and the work of preservation and reversing many decades of neglect began, making it the magnificent sight that greets visitors to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard today.

HMS Victory was launched in 1765 at Chatham Dockyard and was commissioned in 1778. She continued in active service for the next 34 years, including her most famous moment the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, under the command of Vice Admiral Lord Nelson. In 1812 the Victory was retired from frontline duty and anchored in Portsmouth Harbour, following a warrant from Thomas Hardy (Captain of Victory during the Battle of Trafalgar, now First Sea Lord) at his wifes request, to save the ship from disposal.

For the next 110 years HMS Victory remained at her moorings in Portsmouth Harbour fulfilling a combination of practical and ceremonial roles. In 1922, amid fears for her continued survival and following a national appeal led by the Society for Nautical Research, Victory was put into her present dock and work began to restore her to her 1805 appearance. She remains now as the embodiment of the spirit and fine traditions of the Royal Navy.

HMS Victory is still in commission as the flagship of the Second Sea Lord in his role as Commander in Chief of the Royal Navy''s Home Command. She is the oldest commissioned warship in the world, attracting around 350,000 visitors per year as part of the mix of attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Guided tours of HMS Victory are available on a visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which opens at 10am daily.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard turn the snow of 2010 into PR success

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Despite the chaos caused by the heavy snowfall last year forcing Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to reduced opening hours, the PR team were undeterred and turned their drop in ticket sales into a good news story with national coverage and an additional income.

The snow in January and December transformed Portsmouth Historic Dockyard into a winter wonderland and a photographers dream and as the site was unable to open to the public, staff members took the opportunity to take photos of the attractions.

These photos gained a lot of attention on Twitter and Facebook keeping up the visitor focus and communication with loyal supporters, as well as achieving widespread press coverage. This was further strengthened with inviting a Press Association photographer on site to take photos in December.

Key press coverage included The Guardian website, local media print and online including radio station sites, maritime and naval publications, Culture 24 and bbc.co.uk, totalling around �10k AVE (Advertising Value Equivalent).

The photo of HMS Victory looking even more picturesque than usual with old fashioned style snowy street lamp, proved so popular that Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the National Museum of the Royal Navy joined forces to create unique Christmas cards.

Almost 1,000 packs of cards (10 per pack) were sold in the lead up to Christmas resulting in extra income and with an updated image library from Decembers snow there are plans to repeat this success.

So despite the bad weather, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard was in the news for all the right reasons!

An Historic Date To Remember!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

In a modern age where the search for love is often confined to the internet and the closest most people get to a romantic love letter is a few lines of a text message, there is an unlikely new contender stepping forward as a hotbed for romance this Valentines weekend, as the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard hosts Speed dating Georgian Style!.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN) will be hosting their very own Georgian masked speed dating event in one of the museums prestige galleries, on Saturday 12th February. The event will include a drink on arrival, a live string quartet to accompany the evening, the opportunity to view some of the museums most romantic love letters which will be on display for the first time and of course the chance to meet up to 50 like minded single people in a unique setting.

Museums and art galleries are fast becoming the stomping ground of singletons who are finding love while casting their eye over the latest exhibition. With this in mind the NMRN will be displaying a series of beautiful letters including those from Stoker William T Grainger who sent illustrated letters to his fianc�e Edith Townsend in the late 1890s from the China Station where he was stationed for several years. Embroidered silk postcards were very popular during the First World War often being sent back to wives, sweethearts and families by sailors on active service.

So what better place to evoke emotions and spark an interesting conversation, than the splendour and history of the museums Georgian buildings there may even be a Lord Nelson or Lady Emma waiting in the wings!

Listings:

Speed Dating Georgian Style

Including a drink on arrival, a live string quartet to accompany the evening, the opportunity to view some of the museums most romantic love letters which will be on display for the first time and of course the chance to meet up to 50 like minded single people in a unique setting.

Saturday 12th February 7.30pm 10.30pm

National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard (PO1 3LJ)

Cost �30.

Booking essential for further details please contact 02392 727581 or email: rowannah.martincottee@nmrn.org.uk.

Please also bring your own mask!

10 Reasons to Visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in 2011

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

With six leading visitor attractions and over 800 years of history, there are hundreds of reasons to visit Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in 2011, here are just 10 to get people started...

1. Anniversaries

Portsmouths enduring naval legacy will be highlighted in 2011 when Portsmouth Historic Dockyard celebrates 150 years of the first iron hulled ship HMS Warrior 1860; the 100th year of a significant Naval Museum in the Dockyard and 10 years of the family favourite interactive Action Stations.

These historic dates will be commemorated throughout the year with a number of themed events and celebrations.

2. Test your own skill

Housed in the magnificent Boathouse Number 6, Action Stations brings the modern Royal Navy directly to visitors of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard with an exciting mix of physical challenges, simulators and technological experiments.

Plus a number of interactive and hands on displays in the Mary Rose Museum and National Museum of the Royal Navy.

3. Get out on the water

Harbour Tours take visitors on a 45 minute journey viewing some of the great naval warships in port as well as a fleet of destroyers, frigates, mine warfare ships and offshore patrol vessels. A Harbour Tour offers fascinating views across the water and the chance to see the dockyard from a different perspective. (Check times before visiting as can be limited during winter).

4. Compelling stories

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a great place to discover the social history about life onboard and in the wider society; the bravery and heroism of generations of serving personnel and their families and their compelling stories plus their treasured possessions that give an insight into days gone by, as well as the progressive technology that meant Britain led the world.

5. Get creative

A jam packed events programme throughout the year and in particular school holidays, ensures that there is always plenty to keep the kids and their grown ups entertained. Arts and crafts, hands on interactive sessions, family trails and insightful talks make Portsmouth Historic Dockyard come to life in a different light.

6. Let the cat out the bag...

And other sayings that have originated from the Royal Navy... a visit to HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860 where explorers can learn about the everyday sayings and anecdotes which have fashioned our language for centuries. There will be a few surprises in some of the original meanings!

7. Have a good lunch

With a full days visit there is much needed refreshment available in Costa Coffee, Boathouse No. 7 with a daily changing menu cooked using fresh, local ingredients with a focus on Great British Classics, or the Georgian Tearooms. These are also free to visit without a site ticket to soak up the fantastic surroundings. Picnic areas are also available for visitors.

8. Go for a unique shopping trip

Shops include national marine traditionalist retailer Nauticalia, museum shops and the Antiques Storehouse with stunning and quirky antiques, art and collectables.

9. Discover more at special events

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers large scale events each year including the 12th year of the renowned Victorian Festival of Christmas at the end of November. These events are a new way to explore the site with added attractions and activities.

10. Explore at your own leisure

Site tickets for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard are valid for a year with UNLIMITED entry to HMS Warrior 1860, National Museum of the Royal Navy and Action Stations (excludes return on special event days) and valid for ONE entry to HMS Victory, the Mary Rose Museum and Harbour Tours so there is no need to rush around the site, visitors can relax and experience all the Historic Dockyard has to offer in their own way and at their own pace.

Furthermore, UK taxpayers can make a Gift Aid donation for a site ticket to certain attractions, then the Historic Dockyard can claim the tax already paid, helping to secure the future of the attractions!

The Historic Dockyard opens at 10am daily and further information can be found at www.historicdockyard.co.uk or by calling 02392 839 766.

Hunt Your History at Navy Days 2010

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Navy Days is a fantastic opportunity to explore the Royal Navy of the present and the future, but it is also a fascinating opportunity to delve into the past, at this hugely popular event that has been taking place since 1927!

This year, visitors will have the chance to discover their own military history when the Naval Historical Branch, located opposite HMS Victory, opens its doors with a panel of experts ready and waiting to give advice on naval family history.

Jock Gardner, one of the branchs historians, said: "We will be able to point visitors in the right direction, advising on what historical documents they would need to answer particular queries. Also if people bring along ancestors service certificates we can help explain information contained within them."

The Historical Branch''s archive dates back to the point at which the Historical Section was first founded by Winston Churchill in 1914 and consists of around 160,000 records, acting as the Navy and MoD''s corporate memory. They also help advise the media, assisting in many documentaries and TV dramas such as the ITV series Making Waves.

In addition, there will be an expert from the MODs medal office on hand to answer questions on Royal Navy medals and awards.

A variety of fascinating facts can also be found in The Ayshford Trafalgar Roll, on special display in the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Visitors can search the display Who was at Trafalgar?, which lists personal details on over 18,000 men who served in the British fleet at Trafalgar (including nearly 3,000 Marines), and also includes The Complete Navy List of the Napoleonic Wars with details on 11,000 officers who served in the Royal Navy between 1793 and 1815.

This mine of information on the Ayshford Trafalgar Roll was compiled over the past 25 years by Pamela and Derek Ayshford, who set themselves the task of working through the relevant records muster books, surgeons logs, prize money registers, pension records, etc to produce a definitive reference guide to the heroes of the Navys finest hour.

So, Trivial Pursuit buffs can learn that there were in fact 9 Nelsons at the battle, two of whom came from Denmark. But, more seriously, the Roll will help anyone tracing their family tree discover if they had an ancestor at Trafalgar.

Navy Days in Portsmouth runs for three days from July 30. Already confirmed among the star attractions are new Type 45 destroyers HMS Daring and Dauntless, plus the aviation training and casualty receiving ship RFA Argus.

Over 800 years of naval history will be brought to life at every turn with historical re enactment displays, a cast of hundreds of costumed characters, thrilling naval displays, and the world class attractions of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including HMS Victory, the Mary Rose Museum and HMS Warrior 1860, to guarantee a fantastic, fun filled day out for all the family!

Visitors will require a ticket to Navy Days 2010 for free consultations at the Naval Historical Branch and entry to the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Further information, including ticket details, is available at www.navydaysuk.co.uk

Wedding Fair On Board HMS Warrior 1860

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

24th February, 5pm 9pm

Valentines Day may be over but love is certainly still in the air onboard HMS Warrior 1860, as they host their first ever wedding fair and offer couples the opportunity to view the unique ship as the perfect venue for their wedding day.

HMS Warrior 1860 is unique and one of the most sought after wedding locations on the south coast and can boast to have welcomed more than a quarter of a million guests onboard for various events, including over 1,000 weddings. Guests have included members of the Royal Family, celebrities from the world of entertainment & sport, historians and politicians.

Warrior offers a versatile setting for those looking for a small, intimate ceremony or those wanting to splash out on a spectacular celebration for 250 guests. Visitors can take this opportunity to view the entire ship, including the sumptuous Captains cabin and elegant Officers Half Deck, which will be presented ready for the ceremony to begin. Moving through the ship, the Wardroom, Half Deck and Gun Deck will display potential reception ideas.

Warriors Wedding Fair will guide couples through the available options with specially selected suppliers on hand to provide couples with valuable advice and expertise. These range from wedding car hire companies showcasing some of their vehicles, to florists, photographers and wedding cake designers onboard and on hand to help advise and plan a wedding day on Warrior.

County Caterers will be showcasing some of their menu choices, with a selection of samples to taste. With over 15 years experience of catering on board, they will be able to offer advice on all aspects of catering and drink options for that special day.

Brides of Portsmouth will be organising two catwalk wedding shows on the night, to advertise their bridal gowns and accessories. The shows will take place at 6pm and 7.30pm.

There will also be the chance to meet Warriors Special Events Team for couples to discuss and plan their wedding ceremony and/or reception and to view the diary to book their special day.

To finish the night in style, there will be the opportunity to enter a raffle draw with several lovely prizes available to win, from Warrior champagne to discount vouchers for bridal hair and a special prize of a stunning set of hand made jewellery for the bride on her wedding day.

As this stunning ship approaches her 150TH Anniversary on December 29th 2010, this is the perfect way to start the celebrations, and what better way than a wedding to make Warrior memories of the future.

Admission �2 Entry via Victory Gate, The Hard

Bridal fashion show

Limited cash bar available

Car parking is advised in the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard car park as this will remain open until 10pm and visitors attending the fair have been given a reduced rate of �4 for 4hrs.

For further details on attending the event, please call 023 92778604 or email specialevents@hmswarrior.org

Star Attractions Lined Up For Navy Days 2010!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Royal Navys two newest warships are set to be dazzling double act as the newest naval technology features alongside the historic prowess of the naval fleet of the past, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860, at this summers Navy Days event at Portsmouth Naval Base and Historic Dockyard.

The new formidable Type 45 destroyers HMS Daring and HMS Dauntless are among the most powerful warships in the world and for the first time together they will open their hatches to the public for the three day event, which runs Friday 30th July Sunday 1st August.

Navy Days 2010 promises to be one of the most popular events on the South Coast this summer, featuring serving warships of the Royal Navy, ships of foreign navies, thrilling naval displays, historical re enactments and the world class attractions of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

Other ships on display will be two Type 23 Frigates, one of the mainstay ships of the modern surface fleet. The public will also get a rare chance to see specialist Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus an aviation training and casualty receiving ship. Her hospital facility includes four operating theatre tables, ten intensive care beds, 20 high dependency beds and 70 general ward beds. Argus is one of few ships in the world to have a CT scanner and is similar to RFA Largs Bay which is currently helping the aid effort in Haiti.

Captain Paul Lemkes, Deputy Naval Base Commander, said: "Navy Days is a fantastic opportunity for the Royal Navy to be able to show the public, close up, the capabilities it contributes to UK Defence. I am particularly delighted that we are planning to have two Type 45 destroyers on show in their home port so that visitors will be able to see how the Royal Navy is maintaining its place at the forefront of maritime operations with this cutting edge class of warship.

"I am sure that RFA Argus will be a big hit with visitors too. She is a one off ship with a very special capability and does not often get the chance to have the public on board."

For the adventurous and active visitor there is the chance to see if they have the skills to join the senior service on challenging displays, simulators and climbing tower in Action Stations. Whilst there, they can also see Carrier Strike, an interactive exhibition detailing the aircraft carriers of the future.

This spectacular event ensures that there is always something going on around every corner from awe amazing military displays of the Royal Navy Black Cats helicopter team and the Royal Marines Display Team, to displays of strength, courage and teamwork from the Field Gun Crews of HMS Sultan and HMS Collingwood, army parachute teams, motorcycle displays and of course the military band.

Robert Bruce, Chief Executive of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard which is co hosting the event with the Naval Base, added: "Navy Days 2010 will be a brilliant event for all ages, showcasing the Navy's present and future capabilities including its people and, especially at Portsmouth, its heritage too. There's nowhere else in the country that you can see this great mix and we're expecting it to be the highlight of this summer on the south coast."

Over 800 years of naval history will be brought to life at every turn with historical re enactment displays, a cast of hundreds of costumed characters and the welcoming doors of the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Mary Rose Museum and HMS Warrior 1860 will open wide to guarantee a fantastic, fun filled day out for all the family!

Further information, including ticket details, is available from the Navy Days website www.navydaysuk.co.uk

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has fantastic new displays and a range of events for Half Term

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Mary Rose Museum is displaying the newly unveiled facial reconstruction of the man who could have been responsible for sinking the Mary Rose and has been making national headlines this week.

The head of the Bosun has been modelled by the internationally renowned forensic artist Richard Neave and two of his colleagues, from a skull recovered from the wreck. Evidence suggests the ship put about with its gunports open, was hit by a squall and sank like a stone. Ensuring that the gunports were closed would have been the Bosun''s job.

The Bosun''s skull is typical of the preservation of the collection, providing a window into everyday Tudor life: the historian David Starkey has called the Mary Rose "England''s Pompeii".

Visitors to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard can also enjoy spending time with the family this February half term, by taking the challenge in activities and pastimes that will test their survival and code breaking skills and by participating in games with a Tudor twist.

The family friendly programme of activities includes both free drop in workshops and activities that are free with a valid Historic Dockyard ticket and this year sees the launch of some brand new ventures.

A dedicated family activity area will be opening for the first time this half term on board HMS Warrior 1860. Visitors can bring their young sailors for costumed role play, toys, games and colouring in the ships Gun Room.

Warrior will also be encouraging visitors to Follow the Flag as they discover more about the men who lived and worked on board as well as cracking and creating codes using semaphore.

The National Museum of the Royal Navy, (Royal Naval Museum), will be taking to the road for the first time during a school holiday, as it takes the lead in the Sea Life Roadshow at Buckland Community Centre. The day will include arts and crafts, storytelling, object handling and a variety of other activities.

For all those intrepid explorers there is also an opportunity to get prepared for an adventure to the Pole by discovering some survival tips and making Arctic explorers kits at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

Tudor Games and Pastimes will be the theme at the Mary Rose Museum and families will have the chance to challenge each other to discover how Tudor entertainment compares to today.

Further information about the extensive events programme can be viewed at www.historicdockyard.co.uk/events or on 023 9272 8060.

Sea Life beyond the doors of Portsmouths museums and libraries as they take to the road!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN), Portsmouth, is leading the way with an exciting community project, which will see local organisations take to the road for the Sea Life Roadshow at Buckland Community Centre, Portsmouth, on Thursday 18th February 2010.

Buckland Community Centre will be transformed with mini museums, a special soft under the sea play environment, object handling, arts, crafts and storytelling, making for a fun filled family day.

The NMRN has teamed up with HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860, the Mary Rose Museum, Portsmouth Chat, Portsmouth City Museum, Portsmouth Library Service and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum to give local residents a real taste of the culture that is right on their doorsteps.

The Roadshow will also be the first opportunity for some very talented local children to view the amazing artwork they created as part of the Sea Life project. Funded by Find your Talent PUSH the project has seen 3 local schools working with the National Museum of the Royal Navy and local artist Debbie Dodsworth to explore Portsmouths important maritime links. Ninety pupils from Flying Bull Primary, Charles Dickens Junior School and Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School used buildings, silhouettes, letters and objects they saw in the Historic Dockyard as inspiration to create their own Soul Sails.

Debbie Dodsworth, the artist who has been working on the project commented: "All the students who took part had a successful outcome regardless of their age...it was a really positive, energetic few days in school producing work which they would never normally get the chance to take part in, using techniques and materials used by professional artists. I hope I get the opportunity to work with more of the children of Portsmouth they truly are an inspiration."

The Roadshow will not only be a celebration of the project, but will also be a great day out! All the attractions involved at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard are happy to have the opportunity to get out and about and visit the people who cant make the trip to the site.

Listings

Date: Thursday 18th February 2009

Time: 11am 4pm (drop in style attendance)

Location: Buckland Community Centre, PO2 7BL

Notes for Editors

Find Your Talent PUSH

Find Your Talent PUSH is being delivered through a partnership of Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council in the south east region, called the Partnership for Urban South Hampshire (PUSH)*.

With children and young people at the heart of the programme, the Find your Talent Initiative will over its three year life be bringing some �2.1 million pounds to the PUSH area, enhancing and building on the fantastic cultural work that is already taking place. Find your Talent PUSH will deliver a programme of work to ensure children, young people and their families have access in out of school time, to the best quality of arts and cultural activities and programmes as part of their entitlement. We are passionate about reaching hard to reach children and young people aged 0 19 years and in certain priority areas who would not normally access these kinds of programmes.

*PUSH is a partnership of local authorities in South Hampshire dedicated to improving the quality of life for everyone who lives, works and spends their leisure time in South Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton

The Sea Life Project

The Sea Life project has offered local school children aged between 5 and 11 an opportunity to visit the Historic Dockyard, including the Royal Naval Museum and HMS Victory, and given them a chance to go behind the scenes in the museums atmospheric attic stores. Each school worked for 3 days with the artist. During the sessions children learnt new art techniques and discovered more about silhouettes, shadows and other cultural beliefs about the soul. The Soul Sails which have been created will be on display during the roadshow, then at the museum and will finally be returned to the schools taking part.

To find out more about the project please contact Claire Jordan (Learning Officer) by email claire.jordan@royalnavalmuseum.org or by phone 023 9272 7584.

Did This Man Sink The Mary Rose?

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

For the first time in Portsmouth, the face of a member of the crew of the Mary Rose can be seen, thanks to advanced facial reconstruction techniques based on biomedical and archaeological research.

This Thursday 11th February 2010, will see a special unveiling in the Mary Rose Museum of the spectacular facial reconstruction of the Bosun from the Mary Rose.

First seen on display at the Hidden Treasures exhibition at Whitgift School in South Croydon, the reconstructed head of the Bosun has now been gifted to the Mary Rose Trust to be put on display in time for Half Term, amongst the vast collection of everyday objects found on board the fated warship.

John Lippiett (Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust) commented that "it is great to have the opportunity to see what the Bosun looked like after all these years and to welcome his arrival in our Museum".

The head has been modelled by the internationally renowned forensic artist Richard Neave and two of his colleagues, from a skull recovered from the wreck. Only a handful of the more than 500 crew and soldiers survived when the ship sank in July 1545 and Henry VIII was reported to have heard the screams of the drowning men as he helplessly stood and watched from Southsea Castle.

In a few cases it is possible to suggest the occupations of individuals by the scientific study of the skeleton and associated objects. This man was found with the emblem of his comparatively senior status, his Bosun's call a whistle suggesting he was the man who may have been at least partly responsible for the disaster.

There are many theories about why the ship sank, but evidence from the wreck itself suggests the ship put about with its gunports open, was hit by a squall and sank like a stone. Ensuring that the gunports were closed would have been the Bosun's job. The Mary Rose settled deep into the silty bed of the Solent, which preserved the many thousands of unique artefacts in excellent condition.

The Bosun's skull was typical of the preservation of the collection, providing a window into everyday Tudor life: the historian David Starkey has called the Mary Rose "England's Pompeii". The excellent condition of the human remains makes reconstruction relatively straightforward. Neave commented that "it was a pleasure to work on" and had "lots of character".

Experts have analysed the skeleton and teeth, and concluded the man was in his late 30s or early 40s. Although doing a relatively sedentary job, his skeleton indicates he had previously undertaken heavy work, suggesting he had risen through the ranks. The teeth revealed that he came from south west England.

Neave builds up the heads from his extensive database on the relationship between skull, muscles and features. Details of the Bosun's skin, hair and eyes are conjecture, based on research on Tudor styles, and his outdoor life.

A plaster cast was made of the skull, onto which the head was built. Measurements were pegged enabling facial muscles to be built up. Features such as eyes and ears were added next, followed by a thin layer of fat and then a skin like substance, made from a thin layer of clay. The acrylic eyes were prepared at the specialist NHS eye unit at Blackpool. "By his age the edge of the iris is less sharply defined, and the white more veined," Neave said, "and I think of him in the chaos of the gun deck in battle, scrubbing his eyes with his knuckles to try to clear his vision."

Thanks to Neaves skills we are now able to see the face of a man who either struggled desperately to try to save the Mary Rose, or was responsible for the fatal error which led to her sinking.

Last Operational World War II Motor Boats Saved For The Nation

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Two of the last remaining fully operational high speed World War II motor boats have been saved for the nation today by Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust[*], with the help of a �580,000 grant from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF).

When built, they were among the fastest boats of their type in the world. One of the boats, MGB 81, was active during the US landing at Omaha Beach during D Day and received the battle honour Normandy 1944. The other, HSL 102, is the only surviving example of the 100 class high speed launch and was stationed at RAF Calshot during the Battle of Britain, retrieving shot down airmen from the sea. Throughout the duration of the war, HSL vessels saved a total of 10,000 airmen of many nationalities.

The money will enable Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust (PNBPT) to purchase the gunboats. Although both were outstanding examples of British naval engineering, they only had a life expectancy of 20 years. They have now been restored to original working condition and are on display at Gunwharf Quays Marina in Portsmouth. It is hoped people will get the opportunity to charter the boats and experience what it was like for the crews driving at full speed 70 years ago.

Peter Goodship, Chief Executive of the PNBPT, said: "These unique craft are a legacy to the heroism of those who crewed them during World War II. Both boats made significant contributions to the War effort and saved the lives of many sailors and airmen. The Trust is grateful to all those who contributed, especially the National Heritage Memorial Fund, without which this would not have been possible."

Having got them, PNBPT are now keen to bring their story alive by making at least one of them available for charter, so that people can experience something of their breathtaking power and speed a ride not for the faint hearted.

They also hope to use them once in a while to take people across to Priddys Hard and the revamped Explosion museum, where boats like 102 were based during World War 2.

The boats represented pioneering technology when they were built just down the coast at Hythe near Southampton. They were known as the Spitfires of the Seas and effectively it was like riding on a massive petrol bomb. With 3,000 gallons of fuel on board, if they were hit in the fuel tank they simply exploded. And as they were only made of plywood and had no real armament they were extremely vulnerable.

The young men who crewed these boats, many of whom were just teenagers, were responsible for life saving work, often in appalling conditions. Some of these heroes paid the ultimate sacrifice and in telling the story of the boats, PNBPT hope people will remember their bravery and their dedication to duty.

Lt. James Shadbolt MBE and a veteran of Royal Navy''s 8th Motor Gunboat Flotilla, said: "Im delighted these two motorboats will now be safe guarded. Organisations like NHMF and other generous donors play such a vital role in protecting our precious heritage and those of us who particularly cherish these boats are very grateful. Its wonderful to know that future generations will be able to experience first hand these extremely exciting machines just as we did as young men during the war."

Bob Bewley, Director of Operations at NHMF, said: "The purchase of these boats is an important part of a continuing success story and just what the NHMF was set up to do to defend the most outstanding parts of our national heritage at risk as a memorial to those who have died for the UK. These gunboats are so integral to our rich seafaring history. They can now join other great British naval achievements, such as Nelsons HMS Victory and the Mary Rose, which have been saved thanks to the unique ability of the NHMF to act quickly as the fund of last resort over the past 30 years."

NOTES TO EDITORS

History of the Boats

The boats were designed and built by the British Powerboat Company, which later went on to build the famous Supermarine Spitfire. The companys founder, aviation and powerboat pioneer Hubert Scott Paine, along with T.E. Shaw (known as Lawrence of Arabia), pioneered these fast manoeuvrable craft for British military use. In fact, T.E. Shaw personally undertook the testing of the HSL prototype.

MGB 81 After the war, MGB 81 was disposed of by the Royal Navy. In late 1945, she was sold to a private owner, achieving notoriety for being arrested as part of a smuggling operation in 1958 and then was sold for scrap. Later, she became an accommodation barge for a sailing school and then spent some years as a house boat before restoration in 1988.

HSL 102 During a two month period HSL 102 is recorded as having saved 38 men from the North Sea including the crews of two German bombers. After restoration in 1996, she was re launched by HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, and performed as a Royal Barge for both HRH Prince Phillip and HRH the Duke of Kent. She went on to star in the film Enigma with Kate Winslet in 2001.

Funding

The acquisition cost �750,000 which was made up of five funding streams:

National Heritage Memorial Fund �580,000 (77 % of the total value)

Private donations �90,000

Fundraising �50,000

PRISM �20,000

Coastal Forces Trust �10,000

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) / 30th Anniversary

The National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) is 30 years old in 2010. It was set up to save the most outstanding parts of our national heritage in memory of those who have given their lives for the UK. It currently receives �10million annual grant in aid from the Government.

The boats join a diverse range of well over 1,000 iconic objects and places which have been safeguarded by the NHMF to the tune of nearly �3million. These include:

� The Coenwulf Coin

� The Macclesfield Psalter

� The Mappa Mundi

� The Mary Rose

� Flying Scotsman

� The last surviving World War II destroyer, HMS Cavalier

� Sir Walter Scott manuscripts

� Antonio Canovas The Three Graces

� The personal archive of Siegfried Sassoon, WWI soldier, author and poet

� Stokholm Island, site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Pembrokeshire

[*] Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust

PNBPT was set up in 1985 by the Ministry of Defence and Portsmouth City Council with the initial purpose of taking responsibility for the long term preservation of the historic south west corner of Portsmouth Naval Base.

The Trust now owns and manages several of the attractions within the Historic Dockyard and Portsmouth Harbour, including Action Stations, Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower, Harbour Tours and the Dockyard Apprentice Exhibition. Since its foundation, it has also established one of the UKs largest collections of small naval craft, many of which are on display within the Historic Dockyard. These include the former barge of Commander in Chief Naval Home Command, a harbour defence launch, gigs, whalers, cutters, small dinghies used for Royal Naval sailing training, and a World War II landing craft. The Trust recently inherited the former British Military Powerboat Trusts collection, which includes a small Air Sea Rescue craft and a motorboat tender from Ark Royal.

HLS 102 and MGB 81 will represent the Trusts most significant acquisitions to date.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard sailing the BBC airwaves over the weekend!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard became the star of the small screen once again on Friday, featuring on both BBC ONE and BBC TWO!

Firstly, comedian and presenter Arthur Smith discovered what it was like to spend the night aboard HMS Victory as he followed in the footsteps of Admiral Lord Nelson for BBC Ones The One Show.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00qlj7n/
The_One_Show_05_02_2010/ (15.10 into clip)

Whilst onboard Nelsons famous flagship HMS Victory, Arthur visited Horatio Nelsons Great Cabin and chatted to current Commanding Officer Oscar Whild, he learnt about the everyday lives of the men on board and he quickly discovered how difficult it is to sleep in a hammock, before eventually settling down to sleep in his Naval sleeping bag and camp bed!

Commenting on his unique visit, Arthur Smith said "it was a thrilling experience to walk around Victory to imagine the sailors climbing the rigging, slurping grog, tending the guns, and the spot where nelson fell is rather chilling."

The feature was also illustrated by fantastic images of Nelson, courtesy of the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

Then following on at 9pm on BBC TWO was the final episode of Empire of the Seas featuring HMS Warrior 1860.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00qlmcq

This stunning documentary series fronted by historian and avid sailor Dan Snow saw him visit the various attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and around the coast, to go beyond the battle tactics and reveal a surprising history.

Travelling across the oceans and with unique access to the modern fleet, Dan examined the impact of the Royal Navy on society, from its role in the foundation of the Bank of England to the creation of a model for the civil service.

The series unearthed rarely seen manuscripts and records, and revealed the hidden human stories behind the famous battles.

The series not only showed the modern Navy within Portsmouth Naval Base but also HMS Warrior 1860 and HMS Victory. Dan Snow explored how Warrior was taken on a tour of the country so that the public could explore the latest innovations in shipbuilding. Filmed during the Royal Navy Past and Present weekend, it was the perfect way to illustrate the historical tour and reflect the enduring relationship between the British public and the Royal Navy.

Dan Snow commented that "I have never been to a better museum than Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. There, the past is tangible and alive."

The images supplied with this story are courtesy of the BBC (Arthur Smith) and � John Lee/Anova Books 2009 (Dan Snow)

The Hero Inside Photographic Exhibition

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

17th February 2nd March 2010

FREE TO VISIT

In support of Help for Heroes, Gill Shaws photographic exhibition is a thought provoking and emotional record of experiences and traumas on the battlefield and at home, because Gill Shaw, celebrity photographer, is also Gill Shaw, the soldiers mum.

Visitors to Portsmouth Historic Dockyards Boathouse No.7 will have the opportunity to see how Gills skill and passion for photography, combined with the help of war heroes and celebrities, have resulted in an amazing and inspirational exhibition, highlighting the courage of the men and women wounded while serving in the Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Currently No.2 on the Tesco Best Seller list, The Hero Inside is the officially authorised fundraising book for Help for Heroes, the charity founded in 2007 to support servicemen and women wounded in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Gill Shaw says of The Hero Inside: "I, for one, know that we have the best Armed Forces in the world and I am truly inspired by the whole concept of heroism. My purpose in wanting to produce this book and subsequent exhibition is to show our war heroes in a positive light, in these negative times. "

Gill travelled 21,500 miles around the UK in only 4 months (running alongside her regular business) in order to capture the inspirational photos, and whenever the task seemed to be too daunting to complete, the inspirational stories from these courageous individuals spurred her on to a new level.

The Hero Inside is a touring exhibition of the photographs from the book, which shows wounded soldiers in a positive way, plus a selection of photos from events that were taking place for Help for Heroes.

"With The Hero Inside I feel very much like Gill Shaw the mum with a camera, these wonderful people seemed to open their hearts to me, I have felt very humbled and found myself often giving out advice on life, loves and the future."

Listings

The Hero Inside Photographic Exhibition by Gill Shaw

17 February until 2 March

Boathouse No.7, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard,

Victory Gate,

HM Naval Base,

Portsmouth PO1 3LJ

10am 5pm.

Admission Free

Arthur Smith Spends the Night on HMS Victory for BBCs THE ONE SHOW

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will be the star of the small screen once again this Friday, when comedian and presenter Arthur Smith discovers what it is like to spend the night aboard HMS Victory as he follows in the footsteps of Admiral Lord Nelson for BBC Ones The One Show.

Filmed as part of a series of features on The One Show called "Sleeping With...", Arthur Smith spends the night at a historic location associated with a significant personality. Last week saw him visit Cheltenham to learn more about the composer Gustav Holst.

To see if Arthur survived the night, tune into BBC ONE this Friday 5th February at 7pm.

The images supplied with this story are courtesy of the BBC.

150 Years of Steam and Speed in Celebration at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Compare 150 years of steam technology from the launch of sail and steam powered warship, HMS Warrior 1860, who when built was quite simply bigger, faster and more heavily armoured than any other warship afloat; to a special appearance of the 2009 land speed record breaking British Steam Car, along with its dynamic team! Plus, for those who like to steam ahead they can receive a 10% discount on tickets booked before the end of March 2010.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyards Celebration of Steam is a two day event, taking place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th May. Visitors will be transported into the wonderful world of steam, both traditional and modern, with displays of traction engines and road locomotives at work to ferry visitors around the site, steam wagons, boats, model and ride on railways and a whole host of Victorian dockyard characters.

Celebrating the fifth successful year of the event with a special appearance is the British Steam Car team which broke the world land speed record in 2009 by achieving an average speed of 148.308 mph over a measured kilometre. The team behind it will be taking things at a more leisurely pace as they chat to visitors, show them the inner workings of the vehicle and give them the opportunity to sit in the cars cock pit!

Driver Don Wales, nephew of the legendary Donald Campbell and grandson of Sir Malcolm, will be giving fascinating talks throughout the event on the cars magnificent achievement. Don holds 11 land speed records, nine in his electric car "Bluebird" and two with the British Steam Car Team.

Team Manager Lynne Angel said "people are in awe of the vehicle, she really is a show topper. Although the press dubbed her as "the worlds fastest kettle" the car looks very futuristic and Thunderbirdesque. The project really celebrates British engineering and ingenuity".

Back by popular demand this year is the chance to discover the history of Portsmouth Dockyard as one of the greatest industrial complexes in the world throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Guided tours of the now disused Block Mills will capture the imagination on a journey back in time to discover how this was once the first and finest complete steam powered factory in the world[i].

The Dockyard Apprentice exhibition invites visitors to clock in and go back to 1911 to witness the men at work and learn the crafts and skills that were needed at a time when the Dreadnought battleships were being constructed here. Plus, there is the chance to marvel at the saw bench and stone crusher displays as well as listen to talks on the inner workings of a steam engine.

Then as if that wasnt enough for this steam extravaganza, there is the option to kick back with some pork and a pint at a bigger and better Real Ale, Sausage and Cider Festival, whilst listening to Brass bands and traditional organ, watching lively Morris dancers and treating the kids to nostalgic fairground rides. Plus, with entrance to the Historic Dockyard attractions and a whole host of Victorian dock workers and street entertainers paving the way, it promises to be a fantastic day out for all the family!

Book before the end of February and save 10%. Tickets for the event are adults: �12, concessions: �10, family (up to 5 people, maximum of 2 adults/seniors): �36. Tickets include entrance to all attractions on site: HMS Warrior 1860, HMS Victory, Mary Rose Museum, National Museum of the Royal Navy and Action Stations (excludes Harbour Tours).

For further booking information please telephone 023 9283 9766 or visit www.celebrationofsteam.co.uk

[i] The number of places on each tour is limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. Further tours will be available in September as part of Heritage Open Days.

Captain Scott Antarctic Explorer, covered in snow once more

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

This January, heavy snowfalls added an air of authenticity to the statue of famous Antarctic explorer, Robert Falcon Scott, by the main entrance of the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The statues frosty decoration is not only picturesque but timely as 100 years ago Scott was preparing for his ill fated, second Antarctic expedition.

The statue of Scott along with one of his trusty dogs, was sculpted in loving detail by his widow, Lady Kathleen Scott, in 1915. It commemorates his attempt to reach the South Pole and subsequent death in 1912. The statue came to be in Portsmouth following its commission by the then Commanding Officer of HMS Vernon as a tribute to the great explorer, with all the ships officers helping to fund the project.

The Grade II listed bronze sculpture is inscribed with a moving extract found in his journal on his return from the South Pole the gale is howling about us, we are weak, writing is difficult but for my own sake I do not regret this journey, which has shown that Englishmen can endure hardships, help one another and meet death with as great a fortitude as ever in the past. We took risks, we knew we took them. Things have come out against us and therefore we have no cause for complaint but bow to the will of providence determined to do our best to the end.

The statue originally stood in Portsmouth Naval Base along The Parade and was subsequently moved to outside Storehouse 11 (now the National Museum of the Royal Navy), before moving to its final resting place between the Mary Rose Museum and Porters Lodge, allowing the public to freely visit the stunning memorial.

Today, museums in Portsmouth and Cambridge are preparing to celebrate the centenary of this important scientific voyage.

In 2012, the National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth, is planning a special centenary display of the original sledge and pair of skis from the Antarctic expedition, which are currently held in a reserve collection. This particular sledge was used by Petty Officer T. S. Williamson in the search for Scotts missing polar party. In June this year, the anniversary month of Scotts departure for Antarctica, the Polar Museum at the Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge will reopen with brand new galleries.

The Scott Polar Research Institute was established in 1920 by Frank Debenham as a memorial to Scott and his companions. Debenham was a geologist on the expedition and a member of a support party who turned back before the final push to the Pole. While he wanted a fitting tribute to the national hero, he was also keen to see Scotts work continue.

The new museum will include a gallery about the explorers who mapped out the Arctic and Antarctic. The section on Scott and his expedition will display clothing, food, transport and scientific equipment, as well as Captain Oates sleeping bag, recently selected as one of the top one hundred items in the BBCs ''A History of the World''.

Lawrence Oates was one of the four men who accompanied Scott in his attempt to be the first to reach the South Pole. On their return, injured and slowing the party down, Oates sacrificed himself so the others might stand a better chance of survival.

The museum will also showcase the research of scientists and explorers since Scott who have lived and worked in the harsh, snowy polar regions, many of whom have set off from the Scott Polar Research Institute.

Over the next two years the commemoration of the centenary of this expedition will continue, with more exhibitions and special events to come. Keep an eye on websites of both museums for more information.

http://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/

http://www.historicdockyard.co.uk/

Notes for editors:

Photos courtesy of Phil George and Rolf Williams

The Scott Polar Research Institute is a sub department of the University of Cambridge. It was founded in 1920 as the national memorial to Captain Scott and the Polar party. The Institute has been an international centre for polar explorers, scholars and enthusiasts ever since. From rigorous scientific enquiry into the nature of climate change to protecting our historic polar heritage, the Scott Polar Research Institute has remained at the vanguard of polar work for more than 85 years.

Polar Museum and exhibition opening times:
The Museum and Shop are closed until 2 June 2010. Normal opening times: 10am 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday, closed BH weekends.

Photo and filming opportunities can be arranged on request.

The BOND Continues for Portsmouth and the Great South Run

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Iconic movie actress Britt Ekland led the team for the Alzheimers Society at the launch of the 21st Bupa Great South Run yesterday, alongside former football manager, Lawrie McMenemy. With a stunning cake in tow of fun runners in front of the iconic HMS Victory, the organisers promised to make the event a celebration to remember when they took to the stage in Action Stations at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The Bupa Great South Run will take place on Sunday October 24 and there was great pride when compilation footage of the past 21 years showed how what had started as a fledgling event had now grown into becoming the world's most prestigious 10 mile race and now an International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Gold Label event.

That is the highest accolade any road running meeting can be awarded and the IAAF the world governing body of athletics has for 2010 issued only 23 certificates, with the Bupa Great South Run being the only 10 mile event on the list.

Hollywood actress, Britt Ekland, a 1974 Bond girl in The Man With The Golden Gun and cult classics such as Get Carter and The Wicker Man, has thrown her weight behind this year's Bupa Great South Run, which passes close to the birthplace of her one time husband Peter Sellers.

She is encouraging runners to pledge to help raise �1m for the Alzheimer's Society of which she is a patron. Speaking at the race's launch she said: "Dementia is heartbreaking. My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in Sweden in 1984, but she had had it for many years before that."

Now a record entry of 23,000 runners including elite athletes, club runners, celebrities and the vital ingredient of leisure runners who make it such a fun occasion, will descend into Portsmouth for the first Bupa Great South Run of the new decade.

"Teamwork with Portsmouth City Council and other local agencies over such a long period has seen the race weekend grow in size and stature year on year," said David Hart the Communications Director of organisers, Nova International.

"The flat, fast course lending itself to fast times has also been a major factor in attracting Olympic, World, European and other champions and of course the hundreds of thousands of runners who have competed for their favourite charities."

The event has been staged in Portsmouth since 1991. Cllr Lee Hunt, Member for Leisure and Culture commented: "The Great South Run is a hugely successful and popular event that attracts runners from all over the UK. It is a fantastic boost for the city and the local economy."

Other guests of honour at the launch were Portsmouth University student James Willis, who will celebrate his 21st birthday on the day of this years Bupa Great South Run by taking part and the Historic Dockyards very own Simon Ware who works for the Mary Rose Trust and has taken part in every single race since 1990.

Race organisers believe Mr Ware is the only person who has taken part in every single race but are keen to hear from anybody who can prove them wrong.

Simon ran his first race back in 1987 in Surrey where he completed 10k, he then went on to run in the Windsor Great Park Half Marathon on October 4th of the same year.

Since then, his enjoyment of running has grown and he runs two to three times a week, clocking up 5 12 miles each time. Simon has also taken part in three of the London Marathons and has raised money for various charities throughout the years.

The race is televised live on Channel 5, with iconic images of the city and in particular Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, beamed around the globe.

Entries are open at www.greatrun.org for both the Senior event and the Bupa Junior and Mini Great South Runs, which take place on the preceding day.

Photos courtesy of Peter Langdown

The Mary Rose Museum and Royal Naval Museum feature in BBCs A History of the World

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

BBC Radio Solent and museums across the county have today (Monday 18 January) revealed the list of 10 objects they have chosen to tell a history of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and their place in the world. The list of 10 objects can be seen on the BBC Local site for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire, including two fantastic choices from the Mary Rose Museum and Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, which will be on display at the relevant museums throughout 2010.

Rosary beads Mary Rose Trust

In 1538, injunctions of Henry VIIIs religious reforms banned recitations using the rosary to pray. Yet in 1545 this rosary was on board the Mary Rose, a ship that belonged to the King. The rosary offers an insight into this tumultuous period of history during Henry VIIIs reign the break with Rome, the dissolution of the monasteries, and the rise of Protestantism events that would shape Europe and the world, for better or worse, in the centuries ahead.

Decorated scrimshaw Royal Naval Museum

This decorated baby elephants tusk (or scrimshaw) belonged to an African serving in the Royal Navy and helping in the fight against the transatlantic slave trade in the 1820s. His original name is not known, but the Navy listed and paid him as Jim Freeman, Head Krouman and the carving shows it is the name he then took for himself. Kroumen were from the Krou tribe from the coastal areas of Liberia or Sierra Leone and were skilled seamen whose experience and local knowledge were vital to the Navys ability to operate in West Africa.

The list of 10 objects for Hampshire is part of the wider A History of the World project formed out of a unique partnership between the BBC, the British Museum and 350 museums and institutions across the country.

Dr Chris Palmer, Head of Collections for Hampshire Museums said: "Its a fantastic opportunity for people to learn more about where they live through objects connected to its development and its place in the world."

Listeners and viewers will be asked to suggest further objects and can actively participate by uploading photographs of their own objects that have a local or global appeal. At the end of February 2010 it is hoped that each BBC Local website will have an additional "Peoples 10 Objects" telling the history of their region and its global connections.

BBC Project manager for the Nations and English Regions, Seamus Boyd, said: "A truly fascinating range of objects has been chosen for each list across English regions. Some of them may have great monetary value, others little or none, but they''re priceless in how they bring to life moments from history. This initial collection is just the blueprint to which we hope viewers and listeners will add their own objects and help to create a truly unique and vibrant tapestry of the past."

Also as part of A History of the World, tonights BBC Inside Out South (Monday January 18th, BBC One, 7.30pm) will be on the hunt for the best object from six museums across the South, travelling in two of William Morriss creations.

Presenter Joe Crowley will be visiting the Mary Rose Museum in Portsmouth using a 1930s yellow soft top Morris 8 car mass produced by Morris at his factory in Cowley, near Oxford.

Christopher Dobbs from the Mary Rose Trust will also appear on Radio 4s long established, interactive history programme, "Making History" on Tuesday January 19th from 3pm. The Rosary Beads found on the Mary Rose are the first item that the programme have selected for discussion, in order to encourage listeners to upload their own objects to the website. They will also be interviewing Professor Pauline Croft about the wider cultural significance of the Rosary Beads.

The list of 10 objects can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/hampshire

The national website for the project is www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld

Notes to Editors

A History of the World is a unique partnership between the BBC, the British Museum and 350 museums and institutions across the country.

At its heart is a landmark series on BBC Radio 4, A History of the World in 100 Objects, broadcast from Monday 18 January. The series, written and presented by Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum will feature 100 objects from the British Museums collection and will tap in to the unique power of objects to tell stories and make connections across the globe.

The project also includes: a CBBC series Relic: Guardians of the Museum broadcast from January 2010; large scale activity across the Nations and English regions including lists of 10 museum objects on each BBC Local site telling the story of that region; an exciting and interactive digital proposition live from 18 January at www.bbc.co.uk/ahistoryoftheworld; plus an invitation to audiences to offer objects they own to create a unique digital museum online.

The important legacy of A History of the World will be secured through the website and through the work and partnerships across the Nations and English Regions.

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to star in new BBC Documentary Series

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

For centuries the Royal Navy has strived to help make Britain one of the world's great maritime superpowers. Now in a new BBC documentary series Empire of the Seas, starting on BBC TWO on 15 January 9 10pm, historian and avid sailor Dan Snow visits the various attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and around the coast, to go beyond the battle tactics and reveal a surprising history.

Travelling across the oceans and with unique access to the modern fleet, Dan examines the impact of the Royal Navy on society, from its role in the foundation of the Bank of England to the creation of a model for the civil service.

The series unearths rarely seen manuscripts and records, and reveals the hidden human stories behind the famous battles.

With enthusiasm and passion, Dan mostly tells the story of the navy from the decks of ships on which he clearly feels at home. "My interest goes back years," he says. "As a kid I loved reading books and watching movies about it I've developed a real passion for the navy. I''ve also done a lot of sailing and have visited many of the ports and great cities of Europe to get a sense of their importance, and I've crossed the Atlantic twice. With my dad, sister and cousin, I sailed a 40ft boat from the Canary Islands to St Lucia, following the route the slave traders used to take with the Trade Winds blowing behind it was fascinating."

Empire Of The Seas offers an intriguing take on British history, one in which the navy takes centre stage. So has its importance been underestimated? "Yes, of course," Dan says "In this series we talk about big events such as the Industrial Revolution, the Glorious Revolution, The French and American Revolutions. The navy is a thread that runs through this extraordinary story of how a little island in the middle of the North Atlantic became a world conquering empire. It explains a lot about the modern world."

A year in the making, but based on research which goes back years, Dan combines finely detailed social history with epic stories. "We didn''t just want to make a traditional series about big battles," he says. "We wanted to look at what was going on beneath the surface. It covers ordinary things like the supply of nails or food and the impact it had on the rest of Britain. At the end of each programme a climactic battle demonstrates everything we've been talking about."

The series will not only show the modern Navy within Portsmouth Naval Base but also HMS Warrior 1860 and HMS Victory. Dan Snow explores how Warrior was taken on a tour of the country so that the public could explore the latest innovations in shipbuilding. Filmed during the Royal Navy Past and Present weekend, it was the perfect way to illustrate the historical tour and reflect the enduring relationship between the British public and the Royal Navy. The series will show the areas below decks that visitors in 1863 found interesting and new such as the laundry area and machine rooms.

Accompanying the series is a new book, written by Brian Lavery, one of the nation's foremost naval historians. Sharing the title with the TV series, "Empire of the Seas" will re inject the romance into Britain''s seafaring past. Lavery discusses the hidden human stories behind the celebrated sea battles and also provides a warts and all expose of the darker chapters in the Navy's past, including its role in slavery and the spread of disease.

The Royal Navy has provided the country with many of its heroes, including Drake and Nelson. In addition to them, hundreds of thousands of men served with the fleet over the centuries. This is the story of the effect they had on the world.

The book is illustrated with a superlative collection of artworks and photographs from various collections including the Royal Naval Museum.

Empire of the Seas: How the Navy Forged the Modern World is published by Conway, RRP �20.00 (www.conwaypublishing.com)

A trailer for the TV series can be seen on the BBC website http://www.bbc.co.uk/tv/comingup/empire of the seas/

Photos: � John Lee/Anova Books 2009

HMS Victory came to No2 Dry Dock in Portsmouth 88 Years Ago

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

88 years ago on the 12th January 1922, HMS VICTORY was moved into her final resting place of Number 2 Dock, His Majestys Dockyard Portsmouth, and the work of preservation and reversing many decades of neglect began, making it the magnificent sight that greets visitors to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard today.

HMS Victory is still in commission as the flagship of the Second Sea Lord in his role as Commander in Chief of the Royal Navy's Home Command. She is the oldest commissioned warship in the world, attracting around 350,000 visitors per year in her role as a museum ship.

Guided tours of HMS Victory are available on a visit to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The accompanying image is courtesy of the Royal Naval Museum.

Wintry scenes in the Historic Dockyard

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

With today's heavy snowfall, the Historic Dockyard is looking very photogenic. The ships, museums, buildings and statues are all looking particularly wintry, and HMS Warrior 1860 is looking very dashing in the year of her 150th birthday as shown in the photos by Phil George!

OPENING MONDAY 11th JANUARY

All attractions will be open today but we advise visitors to take care on the pathways around the site.

The attractions, particularly the historic ships, will use their discretion to close any areas they deem necessary for health and safety reasons, but hopefully this will be kept to an absolute minimum.

We will open as normal at 10am but the attractions will close early at 3pm.

Last tickets will be sold at 2.30pm.

For further enquiries please call our Visitor Centre prior to setting out on their journey 023 9272 8060.

Daytime photos courtesy of Phil George

Evening photos courtesy of Rolf Williams

Preparations in place for a "staycation" summer

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a member of The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) and this week ALVA has released its members visitor figures for 2008 today, showing a general upward trend in the number of people visiting the countrys foremost museums, galleries, heritage sites, cathedrals, gardens, zoos and leisure parks.

We saw an overall increase of 10.2% on visitor numbers last year, recording just under 560,000 visitors and this includes the Meet Your Navy event.

The UKs visitor attractions, including the Historic Dockyard, are gearing up to ensure that people who opt for a stay at home break will be offered unique experiences, family friendly activities and good quality, added value packages. 86% of our visitors agree that our all inclusive ticket is good or very good value, with 97% stating that they would make a return visit.

With value at home so much better than in Europe and the US, over 60% of attractions expect to maintain or increase visitor numbers in 2009. Overseas visitors are also expected to give a boost to the economy, with nearly a third of attractions planning for an increase in international visitors this year.

Come and see the Mary Rose before she is temporarily withdrawn from view

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Seeing the hull of the famous Tudor warship Mary Rose is a must do this year before it is withdrawn from view temporarily so a new �35 million museum can be built around her.

The new museum is due to open in 2012 in time for the Olympics and it recently received planning permission. The project is supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) which earmarked �21 million in January 2008 for the new museum. The Mary Rose Trust can now progress to stage two and submit a further, fully developed application to the HLF to secure the full grant.

The ship hall is likely to close from mid September 2009 as construction commences on the new museum. However, the hull of the Mary Rose will be interpreted in imaginative and visual ways in the current Museum which houses over 1000 original Tudor artefacts retrieved from the hull. Included amongst the plans for interpretation is a new introductory film; time lapse photography; a real time film link to the ship hall and enhanced displays.

The hull will continue to be sprayed with polyethylene glycol, a water based wax solution, until 2011 when the hull will be carefully dried within the new museum. She will be displayed fully in 2016.

Last chance to buy 'early bird' tickets for Steam

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Book your tickets for Celebration of Steam before 28th February and save 10%. This year''s event takes place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May and visitors can discover more about the role that Portsmouth Historic Dockyard played during the 18th and 19th centuries when it was the greatest industrial complex in the world.

There will be displays of all types of steam engine, a tasty sausage and ale festival, Ivor the Engine and the exclusive opportunity to view the first complete steam powered factory in the world, the Block Mills.

For more information visit the Celebration of Steam website or buy your tickets NOW!

Great news for the Mary Rose

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Planning granted for Mary Rose Museum

The �35 million project to build the new Mary Rose Museum took a significant step forward this week with the news that the planning application has been approved by Portsmouth City Council.

The announcement coincides with confirmation from the Mary Rose Trust that they have raised over half of the �14million required to match the �21 million earmarked for the project by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in January 2008. The Trust can now progress to stage two and submit a further, fully developed application to the HLF to secure the full grant.

The museum, designed by a team comprising Wilkinson Eyre Architects (architect), Pringle Brandon (interior architect) and Land Design Studio (exhibition design and interpretation), in collaboration with Gifford (structural and M&E engineer), will reunite the ships preserved hull with many thousands of unseen artefacts for the first time in 500 years.

The museum building will resemble a finely crafted, wooden jewellery box, clad in timber planks invoking both the structure of the original ship and its immediate neighbour HMS Victory. The timber will be painted black, reflecting Englands traditional boat shed architecture, and the exterior will feature inscriptions drawn from the carved symbols used by the crew of the Mary Rose to identify their personal belongings.

Over 19,000 artefacts were raised from within her but only 6% of these are currently on display in a temporary museum a short walk away from the hull. The well known Tudor historian Dr David Starkey describes the collection as: "This countrys Pompeii, painting the finest picture of the world of sixteenth century life".

The Mary Rose Trusts Chief Executive John Lippiett welcomed the good news: "We have reached a real milestone in the project and taken another step in the fascinating journey of the Mary Rose."

"We can now submit our stage 2 application with real confidence. We have the planning approval; we have demonstrated considerable success in raising half the money required and are buoyant that we can raise the remainder.

The hull of the Mary Rose will be withdrawn from public view later this year as the new museum is built around her. It will continue to be interpreted in imaginative ways in the existing museum, which will remain open throughout.

She will continue to be sprayed with polyethylene glycol, a water based wax solution, until 2011. The hull will be carefully dried within the new museum until she can be displayed fully in 2016.

Be my Valentine, Your Majesty!

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

On 14 February 1537 King Henry VIII declared by Royal Charter that England would celebrate the date as St Valentine''s Day, thus demonstrating that in spite of marrying six women, divorcing two of them and beheading two more, he was at heart a true romantic.

Spread a little love on the streets of Portsmouth on Saturday 14th February (11am 3.30pm) to celebrate Valentines Day. Using chalks leave a message on the pavements for your loved ones at the principal historic, shopping and public sites in the city. Sites include Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Guildhall Square, Gunwharf Quays and Commercial Road City Centre shopping area. For a full list of participating sites visit www.visitportsmouth.co.uk

Free materials included no experience necessary!

Family days out this February half term

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Schools out and youre looking for ideas to keep the family occupied this half term. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has an array of activities throughout the February Half Term and best of all theyre free with a valid attraction ticket.

A 50 minute guided tour of HMS Victory by one of our professional guides will give visitors a real insight into what it would have been like to sail on Nelsons Flagship. You will learn where phrases like square meal and let the cat out of the bag originated and be amazed at how your bed became your coffin if you were unfortunate enough to die at sea.

Climb to the top of the 28ft tower in Action Stations, escape from pirates in the simulator ride and try your hand at flying a replica Merlin helicopter, just like the one on the navys newest and most advanced warship HMS Daring, equipped with realistic controls and buttons.

Activities include:

� Object Detectives on board HMS Victory this activity runs on Thursday 19th February 11am 1pm & 2pm 4pm.

� Maritime Globetrotting at the Royal Naval Museum takes place on Wednesday 18th February (11am 1pm & 2pm 4pm).

� Tudor games and pastimes at the Mary Rose Museum running daily during half term 11am 12noon and 2pm 4pm.

� Follow the Flag family trail on board HMS Warrior 1860. This activity runs from 10am 4.30pm daily.

� Crack the Code on board HMS Warrior 1860 Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th February 11am to 4pm.

The clock is ticking and soon the Mary Rose Ship Hall will be closing for construction work to begin on the multi million pound project to develop a brand new museum over the existing ship hall structure. The works will start in the autumn but dont worry, the Mary Rose Museum will be open throughout and will continue to provide and interesting interpretation of the ship through a variety of interactive displays.

The Mezzanine Cafe inside Action Stations will be selling teas, coffees, light refreshments and snacks during half term and is run by established DW Bars (one of the main providers of catering for our many events).

Snow makes for great photos

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

'With a light dusting of snow, the Historic Dockyard has never looked prettier. The ships, museums, buildings and statues are all looking particularly wintry, although judging by the photograph taken earlier by Sean Hounsell, we''re not sure what Henry VIII would make of it! All the attractions are open for business, ring 023 9272 8060 for further details or follow the link to visitor information from our home page. '

Take a Harbour Tour this weekend to see HMS Daring

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

There is great excitement this week as Portsmouth welcomes, for the first time, HMS Daring into her home port.

As the first of the new Type 45 powerful air defence destroyers, the 7,350 tonne warship has arrived in Portsmouth and berthed in her home port to be greeted by families and friends of the ships company.

HMS Daring is currently alongside on Victory jetty. Visitors can see her from a short distance for the next few days.

Tickets are not required to enter the Historic Dockyard except during special events. However, the best view of Daring will be from the water, so it's worth checking out the times and availability of Harbour Tours, which are included in our great value all inclusive ticket which gives entry to all the attractions on site. These 45 minutes trips around the Harbour currently running at the weekends (subject to weather) are a great way to see the working naval ships and other fortifications all with a lively commentary! Telephone 023 9272 8060 between 10am 5pm.

Simon shines at Great South Run Launch

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The 20th Great South Run which was launched on Tuesday 20th January takes place in October and a member of staff here at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard has taken part in each and every race since it started in 1990.

Simon Ware has worked as Collections Assistant for the Mary Rose Trust for 21 years and has all of the 19 medals to show for his determination and love of running.

His first race was in 1987 in Surrey where he completed 10k, he then went on to run in the Windsor Great Park Half Marathon on October 4th of the same year.

Since then, his enjoyment of running has grown and he runs two to three times a week, clocking up 5 12 miles each time. Simon has taken part in three of the London Marathons and has raised around �2000 for local hospitals.

Simon explains: "I have always enjoyed playing sport and used to play football. The running came after I gave up playing football."

His best time for the Great South Run was in 1993 when he completed the 10 mile course in 1hour and 4 minutes.

The very successful launch was featured on ITV Meridian, the BBC, Wave 105 and The News to name just a few.

Comedian and star of BBCs Outnumbered series and Mock the Week, Hugh Dennis and ex Coronation Street actress and recent winner of Celebrity Mastermind Sally Lindsay both attended the launch and will be supporting this years run.

Link to video produced by The News

A bigger and better 'Celebration of Steam' set for May

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

A Celebration of Steam is back for the fourth year running and promises more displays of all types of steam engine, a tasty sausage and ale festival, Ivor the Engine and the exclusive opportunity to view the first complete steam powered factory in the world, the Block Mills.

The event takes place on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th May 2009 and visitors can discover more about the role that Portsmouth Historic Dockyard played during the 18th and 19th centuries when it was the greatest industrial complex in the world. Visitors save 10% if booking tickets before the end of February.

Once again, the unusual sound of steam engines and a brass band will resonate throughout the Historic Dockyard as displays of traction engines, road locomotives, miniatures, steam boats, steam rollers, crane engines, model railways, steam fairground attractions and a ride on railway fill the site.

A host of costumed dock workers will interact with the crowds, bringing the Historic Dockyards history to life and re creating the age of steam with colourful characters.

A sausage and ale festival located alongside HMS Victory will whet visitors appetites as they sample the many varieties of sausage and award winning ales on offer. For both enthusiasts and those who enjoy shopping, there will be a large collection of traders and exhibitors, including traditional craft and gift stalls.

Book your e tickets online before the end of February and you will receive 10% discount. Tickets are available to purchase up until the event Click here to visit the website now!

Sad loss of Museum Director

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Captain Dr Colin White, the Royal Naval Museum''s Director, who died peacefully on Christmas Day in Rowans Hospice.

Colin was one of the country''s leading experts on the life and achievements of Horatio Nelson. He was appointed Director of the Royal Naval Museum in 2006 some 30 years after he joined the Museum as Research Assistant and at the end of his tenure as Trafalgar Festival Director overseeing the national celebrations for the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

He was a well known speaker on the public lecture circuit and wrote and presented documentaries for both television and radio. He was a long standing member of the Southsea Shakespeare Actors, a server at Portsmouth Cathedral and a very keen theatre and cinema goer.

Born in 1951, Colin Saunders White was educated at Southampton University and obtained an MS in war studies at King''s College London.

He was awarded the Desmond Wettern Media Award "for being the most visible spokeman of Britain''s maritime interests" after completing some 300 public lectures during 2005, the year of the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar.

Peter Goodship, Chief Executive of the Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust said: "He was an extraordinary man in so many different ways. Other academics may have vied with Colin for the title of the world''s finest authority on Nelson but no one could speak about our national hero with such commitment, passion and humour as Colin."

The Condolence Book has been opened at the Royal Naval Museum for all those who wish to leave a message.

The Museum will be closed to the public all day on 12th January to enable staff to attend the funeral. A memorial service is planned for 2nd March, time to be confirmed.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Colin''s family and loved ones at this time.

HERE COMES THE BIGGEST NAVY SHOW SINCE TRAFALGAR 200

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Royal Navy is this summer putting on the biggest show for the nation since the Trafalgar 2005 celebrations three years ago.

Entitled Meet Your Navy, the three day event at Portsmouth Naval Base on July 25 27 is a new concept in providing families with an unforgettable opportunity to tour up to 20 naval ships, witness exciting arena events and air displays and rub shoulders with the men and women of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and other members of Britains Armed Forces.

The extravaganza afloat and ashore goes beyond what was once known as Navy Days. More than ever before it will give show comers the exciting opportunity to truly meet and talk to the people who man the ships and look after them, who fill the ranks of the Royal Marines Commandos, who compete in the daring gun run competitions and who will play the music throughout the three days.

Meet Your Navy will also break new ground in the closeness of the partnership with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in the running of the event which will be open to the public at competitive ticket prices. The Historic Dockyards attractions HMS Victory, Mary Rose and HMS Warrior 1860 will be open along with the Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations at a heavily subsidised, competitive ticket price.

Assistance will also be provided in some areas by an event company Richmond Event Management REM in the arrangement of such things as seating and display arrangements, trading and catering .

Royal Navy ships of all types, including the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, the event flagship, will welcome visitors of all ages. Ships from visiting navies will be present, and there will be flying displays each day as well as rapid roping demonstrations, band concerts including a Royal Marines band, diving displays, field gun runs, re enactors and many trade stalls.

Portsmouth Naval Base Commander Commodore David Steel said today: "The Naval Base and City have hosted many great naval events, and Meet Your Navy 2008 will be one.

"The Navy is busier that it has ever been. As we meet, we have ships, submarines, aircraft and Royal Marines deployed in every part of the world. A year ago over half the British combat forces on the ground in Afghanistan were from the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, something that will be repeated in coming months.

"Meet Your Navy 2008 is designed to allow the British public to meet those people who make up the Royal Navy and to see their ships."

Robert Bruce, Managing Director Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Ltd, said: "We are delighted to be working with the Royal Navy on what is our largest event this year. Everyday the historic ships and museums showcase the proud heritage of the Navy and this will be an opportunity to link closely with the ships and people of the present day Royal Navy, an event not to be missed. There is no where better to showcase the past, present and future than in Portsmouth, home of the Royal Navy."

More information about Meet Your Navy, including booking and ticket details, are available at www.meetyournavy.co.uk

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers a host of things to do for all the family over the half ...

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offers visitors a host of things to do with a maritime twist.

Having had a successful and commemorative year, the temporary special exhibition at the Royal Naval Museum marking the 25 years since the Falklands Conflict is coming to an end. Task Force South: The Royal Navy and the Falklands War describes the Navys involvement through the stories of some of the 18,000 individuals, from all the naval services, who sailed 8,000 miles to deliver and supply the land forces who recovered the Falklands Islands. Visitors are urged to visit this exhibition during half term as it will be concluding on 29th February.

On 23rd February at 11.00am in The Royal Naval Museum Shop, the author of a new novel, "HMS Resolute and How She Prevented a War", Elizabeth Matthews will be hosting a book signing, as well as reading extracts and performing sea shanties.

Visitors will also be able to discover a link between HMS Resolute, the Royal Naval Museum and a new Hollywood action adventure film, National Treasures Book of Secrets, which stars Nicholas Cage. A piece of furniture made of HMS Resolute timber a writing table which Queen Victoria used herself on the Royal Yacht will be going on display in the Royal Naval Museum. During half term the Royal Naval Museum is running a special childrens trail to celebrate the link to the film with prizes donated by Disney.

Following the �21m award received by the Mary Rose Museum from the Heritage Lottery Fund, visitors can find out more about the exciting plans for the future of the ship and thousands of artefacts, They can also find out what the new museum will look like and why it is so important to Portsmouth.

Family activity highlights during half term include:

Daily:

� Tudor Dressing Up 11am 12noon & 2 4pm at the Mary Rose Museum. Visitors can discover what they would look like as a Tudor and are encouraged to bring their camera. Free with a valid attraction ticket.

Follow the Flag Trail on board HMS Warrior 1860, 10am 4.30pm. Find out about the men who lived and worked on board Warrior. Free with a valid attraction ticket.

Weekly:

Tuesday 19 & Wednesday 20 February 11am 1pm & 1.30 4pm. Crack the Code on board HMS Warrior 1860. Become a secret agent and write and send coded messages to family and friends. Free with a valid attraction ticket.

Wednesday 20 February 11am 1pm & 2 4pm. Into Antarctica at the Royal Naval Museum. Follow the explorers and discover the South Pole with variety of arts and crafts. Free drop in workshop, all ages welcome.

Thursday 21 February 11am 1pm & 2 4pm. Scrimshaw and Starfish on HMS Victory. Use special modelling material to create a stunning piece of Scrimshaw (traditional sailor craft) or a super starfish to take home. Free with valid admission ticket.

Blockbuster link to Portsmouth Museum

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

What links a Portsmouth museum, the Royal Navy and a new Hollywood action adventure film with both Queen Victoria and the President of the United States of America?

Well, the answer is HMS Resolute. In 1854, the Resolute had to be abandoned when she became stuck in Arctic ice, but she was subsequently rescued by the Americans. When the ship came out of service and was broken up in 1879, Queen Victoria ordered an ornate desk to be fashioned from the ships timbers and, as a gesture of thanks, presented this to President of the United States, Rutherford B Hayes, in 1879. The desk has sat in the Oval Office in the White House ever since and it plays a key role in the forthcoming film National Treasure: Book of Secrets, which stars Nicholas Cage and opens in the UK on Friday 8th February.

Also featured in the film is a second piece of furniture made of Resolute timber a writing table which Queen Victoria used herself on the Royal Yacht. And this table will be going on display in the Royal Naval Museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

'The plot of National Treasure sees Nicolas Cage discover vital clues in both the desk and the writing table, says Richard Noyce, Curator of Artefacts at the Museum. 'In fact, although it is shown as being in Buckingham Palace, the table has been on long term loan to us from the Royal Collection and we will be putting it on display through February and March.

The whole Resolute story is absolutely fascinating, continues Richard. Ironically she was in the Arctic searching for survivors from Sir John Franklins last ill fated attempt to find the North West passage when she herself became stuck in the ice and had to be abandoned. She was found two years later having drifted some 1,200 miles reports tell of how eerie it was to find her almost exactly as she had been the day she was abandoned but with no men on board. And George W Bush sits at the Resolute desk as has virtually every President since 1879 in fact he mentions the desk on a tour of the oval office that you can watch on the internet (www.thewhitehouse.gov).

The Museum is running a special childrens trail that ties in with the film during February half term with prizes donated by Disney. It is also hosting a talk and book signing by Elizabeth Matthews, who has written a novel based on the Resolute story. This will be held on Saturday 23rd February at 11.00am, when Elizabeth also promises to sing some sea shanties. Please ring 023 9272 7582 for more information.

Notes for Editors
1. Stills and footage from National Treasure: Book of Secrets are available by contacting Kirsty Saltmarsh at Disney on 020 8222 1602 or e mail: Kirsty.Saltmarsh@disney.com
2. Images of HMS Resolute and the writing table can be obtained from Julian Thomas at the Royal Naval Museum on 023 9272 7567 0r e mail: julian.thomas@royalnavalmuseum.org

Mary Rose saved for the nation by �21 million from Heritage Lottery Fund

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced today, January 25th 2008, that it has earmarked a �21 million grant to be awarded to the Mary Rose Trust. This major grant is to complete the conservation of the Tudor warship, the Mary Rose, and build a permanent museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to house the hull and her artefacts.

Michael Aiken, Chairman of the Mary Rose Trust, expressed his delight with the news. He said "The HLF have yet again displayed their commitment to ensuring the nations core heritage is saved for posterity".

Dame Liz Forgan, Chair of the HLF, commented:
"The Mary Rose is an amazing time capsule and one of our most precious heritage icons. Many of us remember the moment when the ship was found and subsequently raised from the sea bed. Since then, more than seven million have come to marvel at it and learn more about its fascinating history. This major Heritage Lottery Fund investment will help convert years of painstaking archaeological endeavour into an amazing living history experience."

The Mary Rose is effectively the first true warship to be built for England and was famously raised from the Solent before a worldwide audience of some 60 million people in 1982.

Whilst the Heritage Lottery Fund has been generous in its support of the conservation of the collection over the last 15 years, awarding almost �7 million, the Trust has received no government funding and has relied on visitor income and fundraising to continue the project. The decision to award the �21 million grant, as part of a larger �35 million project, finally secures a future for the Mary Rose.

John Lippiett, Chief Executive of The Mary Rose Trust said: "This grant now enables us to complete the long and painstaking conservation that has lasted 25 years. The project started with a dream in the 1960s by Alexander McKee to rediscover the Mary Rose, Henry VIIIs favourite warship. The world watched as the team, led by Dr Margaret Rule, raised the ship and her stunning collection of artefacts in 1982. I am absolutely thrilled that today we can announce that the Mary Rose and her unique collection will be saved for the nation, in perpetuity."

He continued: "The museum, designed by Wilkinson Eyre with Pringle Brandon as the interior architects, will be remarkable. It will contain almost 70% of the ships recovered artefacts instead of the 6% in the current exhibition. There will be something for everyone once we have finished. The hugely important aspects of improved access and increased learning space for the many thousands of students who visit each year will finally be achieved.."

"The hard work starts now," said John Lippiett. "The Trust has to raise the match funding of �14m within a very tight timescale. We are encouraged already to have raised �3.5 million in cash and pledges including a very generous �1m donation from the Garfield Weston Foundation. Our call now is for everyone to get behind the fundraising to help us preserve this priceless national treasure forever."

The hull of the Mary Rose will continue to be sprayed with polyethylene glycol, a water based wax solution, until 2011 whilst the museum, located alongside Nelsons flagship HMS Victory, is built around her. The museum is due to open in time for the Olympics and promises to boost visitor numbers to the City of Portsmouth and its Historic Dockyard, one of the finest maritime attractions in the world. The hull will be carefully dried within the new museum until she can be displayed fully in 2016 when galleries will allow visitors to see both the outside and inside of the conserved hull.

Decision due this week on grant for Mary Rose from the Heritage Lottery Fund

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

The Mary Rose Trust is due to hear in the next week whether it has secured a major grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The application submitted last June was for a �21 million grant to complete the conservation of the Tudor warship the Mary Rose and build a permanent museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to house the hull and her artefacts.

There is fierce competition for grants from the Heritage lottery Fund, who will announce the latest round of funding on Friday 25 January. Whilst the Heritage Lottery Fund has been generous in its support of the conservation of the collection over the last 15 years, awarding almost �7 million so far, the Trust has received no government funding and has relied on visitor income and fundraising to continue the project. If the �21 million is awarded, contributing to the �35 million required for the project, the Trust will at last be able to realise their aims of preserving both the hull and artefacts and displaying them together in a permanent museum.

The hull of the Mary Rose will continue to be sprayed with polyethylene glycol, a water based wax solution, until 2011 whilst the proposed museum, located alongside Nelsons flagship HMS Victory, is built around her. If awarded the grant, the museum is due to open in time for the Olympics and promises to boost visitor numbers to the South of England and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, one of the finest maritime attractions in the world. The hull will be carefully dried within the new museum until she can be displayed fully in 2016 when galleries will allow visitors to see both the outside and inside of the well preserved hull.

Treat for local residents as two of Portsmouths top attractions offer joint ticket deal

Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0100

Visitors are set to benefit from 20% discount on a joint ticket to two of the Citys top attractions, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and Spinnaker Tower, for a limited period.

The newest addition to Portsmouths landscape, the Spinnaker Tower soars to a height of 170 metres and offers three viewing platforms with the most exciting views across the south coast, particularly the Historic Dockyard one of the most historic sights in Portsmouth, with over 800 years of maritime history on offer.

As two of the major draws to the city, we are working well together and it makes sense to offer local residents both convenience and value for money. A joint ticket specifically for the group market has been available since 2005 and has proved very successful, accounting for 8% of our group market, so we are pleased to now open it up to individuals. says Jacquie Shaw, spokeswoman for Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

*The joint offer is available until 20th March 2008. Offer is valid till 20/03/2008 with the exception of 30/11/07 2/12/07, 24/12/07, 25/12/07 & 26/12/07. **Ticket is valid for 3 months from date of purchase excluding dates detailed above.