1 Week To Go Until Portsmouth Navy Days!

1 Week To Go Until Portsmouth Navy Days!

With just a week to go, excitement is building and everyone is getting shipshape for Portsmouth Navy Days, a three-day event at Portsmouth Naval Base and Historic Dockyard, which runs from Friday 30^th July – Sunday 1^st August.

The Royal Navy’s two newest warships are set to be a 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.

The new formidable Type 45 destroyers HMS Daring (Saturday and Sunday only) 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.

Alongside HMS Dauntless will be a full-size replica of a supersonic car hoping to break the world land speed record, Bloodhound, and the anti-submarine Merlin helicopter from 820 Naval Air Squadron.

Joining the destroyers on the list of ships opening their hatches to visitors are Type 23 frigates HMS Richmond and Westminster, Type 22 frigate HMS Cumberland, who last year undertook a successful anti-piracy patrol in the Indian Ocean, minehunter HMS Cattistock, fisheries protection vessel HMS Tyne, and the newly refitted RFA Argus.

Also just confirmed for the three days are fast-roping displays over the harbour by the Royal Marines, demonstrating the daring techniques involved in boarding suspect vessels.

The skies will also resonate to the sounds of the RN Historic Flight and a flypast by Hampshire and IW Air Ambulance. The Black Knights Parachute Display Team and a demonstration by a coastguard helicopter and Portsmouth lifeboat will add to the action over the harbour.

Deputy Naval Base Commander, Captain Paul Lemkes, 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. The line-up of ships will give visitors a true feel of the wide variety of tasks carried out and I am particularly delighted that we 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.”

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, thrilling naval displays, historical re-enactments and the world-class attractions of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860.

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.”

Visitors are encouraged to use the Portsmouth Park & Ride Service at Lakeside North Harbour in Portsmouth (signposted from the M27). It will be operating for all three days and the first bus will depart Lakeside North Harbour at 9am and the last bus will depart from The Hard at 7pm. The cost is £2.50 per car and up to 7 passengers.

The 40 page glossy souvenir guide produced by The News, Portsmouth’s daily paper, contains the full programme of events and a map of the site as well as lots of fascinating articles about the modern Royal Navy, its ships and people. On sale for £2 at most retail outlets throughout the local area, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard Visitor Centre, The News offices at Hilsea and The News shops at Portsmouth City Centre, Havant, Gosport and Fareham. And for those outside the area the programme is also available to www.portsmouth.co.uk/newspapersales (Additional postage fee for online purchase will apply).

Programmes will also be available to buy at Navy Days.

Further information, including ticket details, is available from the Navy Days website – www.navydaysuk.co.uk or by calling 023 9283 9766