Armed Forces Weekend in Portsmouth
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will be celebrating Armed Forces Weekend with a series of free events hosted by the National Museum of the Royal Navy, as well as the opportunity to visit HMS Daring and HMS Gloucester!
Plus, as a gesture of support to the great work of our Armed Forces, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard will be offering a 25% discount on site tickets purchased in the visitor centre over the weekend.
Armed Forces Day Celebration Saturday 25th June, 2pm – 4.30pm
Once again the National Museum of the Royal Navy, at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, is honouring and celebrating British Armed Forces past and present and cadets of the future, to mark Armed Forces Day on the 25th June, only this year it will be bigger and better than ever!
The Victory arena will be transformed into a 1940s style street party, complete with a wartime tea, jazz music and lindy hop dancing. Brave visitors can try out rationing favourites like eggless fruitcake, mock crab sandwiches and spam, all washed down with the traditional cup of tea! There will even be a chance to see how home front families made the most of their rations with cookery demonstrations and how they really did make do and mend.
Setting the scene will be a variety of World War II vehicles and people dressed in 1940s costumes.
Most importantly there will be a chance speak to the veterans, hear their stories and reminisce about days gone by.
Museum curators will also be on hand to help visitors discover more about the history of the Royal Navy.
This will be a fun afternoon for all the family and a chance for visitors to show their support for the contribution made by all veterans. It is hoped that veterans, their families, serving personnel and visitors will join the staff at the National Museum of the Royal Navy to mark Armed Forces Day 2011 in great style.
Royal Navy Ships - Open to Visitors Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th June, 10am – 3.30pm
Meet the crew and explore a Type 45 and Type 42 Royal Navy ship as HMS Daring and HMS Gloucester welcome visitors on board!
BAE Systems, as the designer, builder and support provider to the Royal Navy’s Type 45 fleet, is proud to support this event. The first of the Royal Navy’s new Type 45 Class, HMS Daring sailed into service last July. The 7,500 tonne ship is longer than 16 double decker buses, she has the ability to operate a range of helicopters from her flight deck and embark up to 60 troops in addition to her own ship’s company, meaning that she is a versatile Royal Naval asset that can support land forces and carry out humanitarian missions. Her technology and design make her an easy ship to fight with and the ability to control airspace around the Task Force is unsurpassed.
It will be the last chance to visit HMS Gloucester before her decommissioning. This Batch 3 Type 42 destroyer was launched by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester on November 2nd 1982, saw service in the first Gulf war and most recently received the 2010 Fleet Efficiency Award from the Royal Navy for being its most effective destroyer last year, attaining the highest standards in both training and on operations.
Gloucester has a lengthened hull for better sea keeping qualities and greater endurance. She was built by Vosper Thornycroft at Woolston, Southampton and retains links with the Rifles Regiment and the City of Gloucester.
Please note ships opening are subject to operational commitments and may be withdrawn at any time. Access for wheelchairs and pushchairs may be limited. All bags may be liable to a search on entry.
Centenary Birthday Celebration Sunday 26th June, 11am – 4.30pm
In June 1911, the ‘Dockyard Museum’ was opened. It was located at the end of the great Rope house and was the brainchild of Mr Pescott-Frost, the Secretary to the Admiral Superintendent of Portsmouth Royal Dockyard. Pescott-Frost was one of those far-sighted individuals to whom this country owes a great debt for preserving the rich heritage that we enjoy today.
The National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the direct descendant of the Dockyard Museum so are delighted to be inviting visitors to share in with their anniversary at their big birthday bash celebrating 100 years.
The day will include fun and games for all the family with face painters, balloon modellers and a bouncy castle. There’ll also be traditional party games, with a twist, such as Pin the Medal on the Admiral and a Giant Pass the Parcel game. Plus, a historical Punch and Judy show, and not forgetting the cutting of the centenary cake!
For more information, visit: historicdockyard.co.uk/armedforces
