HMS Warrior 1860 faces a mission with a difference as Father Christmas’s sleigh breaks down
News release issued: 21st November 2007HMS Warrior 1860, the world’s oldest surviving Victorian battleship is to face its most challenging mission yet as Father Christmas’s sleigh breaks down during A Victorian Festival of Christmas at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, from Friday 30 November - Sunday 2 December.
Father Christmas’s sleigh has broken down and it is up to HMS Warrior 1860 to ensure the presents are delivered and taking command of the ship, the Victorian Father Christmas, dressed in traditional green costume will set up his on board workshop. Families will have the chance to not only meet him, but also assist him and his elves in this unusual setting, as he prepares for the most important night of his year.
Now in its 8th year, the festival programme will be even bigger and better and Father Christmas will be joined by a cast of over 300 Victorian characters and entertainers, including Victorian characters such as Scrooge, Mr Bumble and Queen Victoria will entertain the crowds. A record number of exhibitors selling gifts, festive food and drink have been booked as part of the European-style shopping village, with the return of the popular French market.
There will be something for all visitors to take part in, including children’s Victorian street games such as Blind Man’s buff, Punch and Judy shows and arts and crafts. Visitors will also be invited to go back to school and test their nerve as they experience what life was like in a strict Victorian classroom.
Providing the atmosphere for a traditional white Christmas, the popular Victorian street will be even bigger and better than last year with a even more snow and street entertainment. Victorian fairground rides will be a large feature of the street, including a carousel, helter skelter and coconut shy.
There will be Victorian Music Hall in Fagins Tavern, which this year will be held in a huge Speigel tent with Victorian décor, real ale, music, dancing, traditional carols and visitors are warned to watch out for Fagin and his pickpockets!
The three day festival, which runs from 30th November to Sunday 2nd December, uses the backdrop of the Historic Dockyard’s 18th and 19th Century architecture and the historic ships, notably the Victorian iron-hulled HMS Warrior 1860, the Tudor Mary Rose, the Georgian HMS Victory, the Royal Naval Museum and modern Royal Navy interactive Action Stations, as inspiration to bring the 12 acre site alive.
Tickets include entry to all the festive entertainment and entry to the attractions at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, (Harbour Tours not included). Ticket prices are adult £10, senior £8, children £8, family (up to 5 members of the same family, max 2 adults/seniors), £33.
Visitors to A Victorian Festival of Christmas can take advantage of Portsmouth City Council’s Park and Ride scheme. The scheme will run on Saturday December 1 & Sunday 2nd and operate from 9am with the last bus leaving The Hard at 6 .45pm. A small charge of £2 will apply for each vehicle and passengers can be dropped off on The Hard, just outside Victory Gate, the main pedestrian entrance to the Historic Dockyard. The Park and Ride will be signposted from the M27 east and westbound approaching Portsmouth.
