Portsmouth Historic Dockyard invites visitors to join in a programme of family entertainment during summer holidays
News release issued: 16th July 2007
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is hosting a full programme of activities throughout the summer holidays to ensure that visitors of all ages get the most out of their visit.
There will be a puppet show, storytelling, children’s workshops, street performance and live music in and around the world famous warships, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose, as well as the Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations.
Among this year’s free events, will be a rare opportunity to listen to the Army Medical Services Band as they perform in the shadow of HMS Victory on Friday 27 July from 2pm – 4.30pm. The Historic Dockyard will also be introducing a variety of lunch time concerts to suit all tastes, including jazz, classical, Irish and folk music.
The popular Ryde Extreme Performers will be making a welcome return to the Historic Dockyard from Wednesday 15 to Sunday 19 August from 10.30am – 3pm. They will perform impressive circus skills, including fire breathing and stilt walking. Visitors will also be given the opportunity to join in and learn skills such as Diablo, plate spinning and juggling.
Kidsrome Mobile Farm will be giving visitors the chance to meet and learn about the animals that would have lived on board HMS Victory or HMS Warrior, such as cows, sheep, goats and chickens. The farm will be available from Monday 31 July to Wednesday 1 August from 10.30am – 5pm.
HMS Warrior 1860 will be hosting its annual Victorian Navy Days and this year is a special year with celebrations of the 20th anniversary of the ship’s return to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard after being restored. Visitors to the ship can enjoy gun drills, guards of honour, piping parties, idlers and Victorian messing authentically re-created, complete with Pepper’s Ghost Magic Lantern Show, family favourite Punch and Judy and rip-roaring storytelling. Victorian Navy Days will be taking place on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th July from 10am – 4.30pm and is free with a valid attraction ticket.
Following the success of the inaugural Model Boat Weekend last year, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will once again play host to displays of model boats from the days of the nineteenth century West African Squadron to the Falklands Conflict. The event will take place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 August from 10am – 4.30pm and will include model boat performances on the Historic Dockyard’s historical Mast Pond.
Dancers from Chance to Dance - the only adult integrated dance group in Portsmouth will be performing in the portside arena of HMS Victory on Monday 13th August at 2pm and 2.30pm. The group is for both able-bodied dancers and people with disabilities.
Family and children’s activities taking place throughout the attractions include:
Daily:
• Tudor Fun at the Mary Rose Museum – Every Saturday & Thursday: Tudor Dressing Up –Every Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday: Make Your Own Mary Rose Object. Every Monday: Family Gun Drills – Every Friday: The Mary Rose Variety Show .11am - 12noon & 2pm – 4pm. FREE with a valid Museum ticket.
• Silhouette Trail on board HMS Warrior 1860 - From 10am – 4.30pm. FREE with a valid attraction ticket.
• Traditional Punch and Judy Shows - Edwardian, Victorian, Georgian and modern day – from Monday 20 to Friday 24 August at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm.
Weekly:
• Pirate Week - interactive street theatre and pirate circus skills. Monday 6th - Sunday 12th August. From 11am. FREE
• Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside! on board HMS Warrior 1860. Each Monday in August 11am – 1pm & 1.30pm – 4pm. FREE drop-in-activity with a valid attraction ticket – all ages welcome.
• Victorian Storytelling aboard HMS Warrior - Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 July and every weekend in August 11am. FREE with a valid attraction ticket.
• Knots & Ropes Workshop on board HMS Warrior 1860 - Each Monday from 11am. FREE with a valid attraction ticket.
• Ghostly Galleons & Skeleton Crews at the Royal Naval Museum - Wednesday 25 July 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm. FREE drop in workshop, all ages welcome.
• Egyptian Adventures at the Royal Naval Museum - Wednesday 1 August 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm. FREE drop in workshop, all ages welcome.
• Pompey Pirates! at the Royal Naval Museum -. Wednesday 8 August 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm. FREE drop in workshop, all ages welcome.
• Fearsome Fins & Flying Fish at the Royal Naval Museum - Wednesday 15 August 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm. FREE drop in workshop, all ages welcome.
• Macramé Workshop on board HMS Warrior 1860 – Every Thursday in August 11am – 4.30pm. Free with a valid attraction ticket.
• Marine Mosaics at the Royal Naval Museum – Wednesday 22 August 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm. FREE drop in workshop, all ages welcome.
• Barmy Boat races at the Royal Naval Museum - Wednesday 29 August 11am – 1pm & 2pm – 4pm. FREE drop in workshop, all ages welcome.
Visitors can also see HMS Victory at their leisure as the ship is operating a free flow system, when guides are positioned throughout the ship until 30th September 2007.
