Prince Harry marks the next milestone in the history of the Mary Rose Prince Harry has today (Friday 18th March, 2011) visited the Mary Rose Trust, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to mark the next milestone in the history of the Mary Rose. The Prince was given a tour of the current museum and its collection before taking part in the foundation stone ceremony for the new Mary Rose museum.

In the foreword to the commemorative programme Prince Harry says: “I am delighted to be able to mark another milestone today in the extraordinary history of the Mary Rose. This Foundation Stone in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard moves us a step closer to turning the vision and hard work of so many over the past 30 years – some might say 500 years – into reality. This will be a special place of celebration and learning for future generations, and one of commemoration for the English sailors and soldiers who lost their lives in the disaster on 19th July, 1545. I would like to acknowledge the longstanding support for this project of my father, The Prince of Wales. I am so pleased to be building – quite literally – on his good work of so many years. I wish every success to the volunteers and world leading experts, who are working towards the completion of the new Mary Rose Museum.” During his tour of the museum the Prince met with current staff and volunteers, including four divers from the 1982 excavation who are still working for the trust. He handled some of the artefacts recovered from the wreck before meeting with students from the Mary Rose School and then moving into the classroom to meet pupils from St John’s Catholic Primary School. He was then put through his paces by Crookhorn College of Technology when he helped them take part in a Tudor gun drill. Prince Harry then arrived in Victory arena where he met with other staff and supporters and those involved with the construction of the new museum. During the official ceremony, John Lippiett, Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust presented the Prince with one of the Mary Rose £2 commemorative gold coins produced by the Royal Mint.

Photo – Ross Young with children from St John’s Catholic Primary School Portsmouth

Prince Harry marks the next milestone in the history of the Mary Rose is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Welcome to the Western Yar

Over the next few weeks visitors to the banks of the Western Yar will see the results of new investment in two waterside areas.

The Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners are landscaping two stretches of the riverside to improve facilities for residents and tourists.

“This is all about access to the water and views of the water,” explains Chris Lisher, harbour master at Yarmouth. “We’re delighted to have secured funding from Natural Enterprise under their Leader grant scheme that helps boost rural economies. These improvements are all about creating a more attractive welcome.”

Natural Enterprise, an economic and environmental partnership, supports and encourages investment in rural communities across the Isle of Wight. The board allocates Leader funding on a competitive basis to countryside projects including farming and tourism.

“The two areas to be improved are the dinghy park slipway and pontoons next to the main public car park, and the pedestrian route from Yarmouth’s quayside to the harbour office,” Chris explains. “The dinghy park and slipway will have better access; the jetty at the dinghy park will have new pontoons and a security gate; and there will be dinghy racking and a new dinghy pontoon next to the harbour office. Our total investment is more than £100,000 with half of this funded by the Leader grant.

“Between the lifeboat berth and the harbour office we’re putting new paving with access ramps for wheelchairs, planters and seating. This has an additional Leader grant of £28,000.”

The construction work is scheduled to finish by the end of March.

Submitted by David Ballard, visit www.albany-ballard.co.uk

Yarmouth Harbour is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

40th Anniversary event At The Isle of Wight Steam Railway. is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

As part of a major project to restore parts of Ryde Cemetery, free masonry training sessions are being offered to Islanders.

Two workshops will be held on three separate days in July at the cemetery on West Street in Ryde.

The first, ‘An Introduction to Monumental Masonry’ will be held on  24 and 30 July. The second, ‘Traditional Masonry and Craft Skills’, will take place on  23 and 31 July. All workshops take place between 0930 – 1630.

The free events are being delivered by Wight Stonemasonry and are aimed at providing an introduction to working with natural stone within a conservation environment.

The workshops form part of the Ryde Cemetery Restoration Project which is a major scheme to regenerate parts of the cemetery. This includes repairing and refurbishing buildings, perimeter fencing and existing walls.

The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund with support from the Isle of Wight Council and local conservation groups.

Places on the workshops are limited and they are expected to fill up fast. Anyone wishing to apply for a place should request a booking form from Janis Mundell who can be called on (01983) 885172 or via email at janis.mundell@iow.gov.uk

FREE STONE MASONRY WORKSHOPS AVAILABLE is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Unlike the current news headlines, the effects of steam and travel are being celebrated at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and there will be no fear of being stranded from Saturday 8^th – Sunday 9^th May!

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard’s Celebration of Steam is a two day event, where 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.

NEW this year is the chance to 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 – her magnificent Penn steam engine will be bought to life with smoke pouring from her funnels; to a special appearance of the 2009 land speed record-breaking British Steam Car, along with its dynamic team! 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 car’s cock pit!

Team Manager Lynne Angel said “people are in awe of the vehicle, she really is a show-stopper. Although the press dubbed her as “the world’s fastest kettle” the car looks very futuristic and Thunderbird’esque. 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.

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 wasn’t 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!

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

No volcano in sight but plenty of steam at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

The Royal Navy’s smallest vessel has joined the growing list of ships lining up for Navy Days at Portsmouth Naval Base and Historic Dockyard this summer.

Visitors can get a close-up look at inshore survey craft HMS Gleaner, which measures just 14.8m and has a crew of five, at the three day-event from July 30th.

The vessel, based at Devonport Naval Base, Plymouth, entered service in 1983 and is used to collect data from the shallowest inshore waters. She has carried out surveys around the entire UK coastline and has also visited various European ports. She uses advanced sonar techniques to compile detailed pictures of the seabed.

Portsmouth-based minehunter HMS Cattistock and fishery protection vessel HMS Tyne have also confirmed their attendance.

They will be joined by the new formidable Type 45 destroyers HMS Daring and Dauntless, Type 23 frigates HMS Richmond and Westminster and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Argus – an aviation training and casualty reception ship.

Deputy Naval Base Commander, Captain Paul Lemkes, said: “HMS Gleaner is a welcome addition to the attractions at this year’s Navy Days. Although only small, she has a specialist role and capability and I’m sure she will create a lot of interest. The line-up of ships will give visitors a true feel of the wide variety of tasks carried out by today’s Royal Navy.”

The event will also boast a lively and colourful line-up of arena displays including a field gun competition, the White Helmets Motorcycle Display team and Royal Marines Band.

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, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860.

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.

Robert Bruce, Managing Director of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, 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 ashore, afloat and in the air and we’re expecting it to be the highlight of this summer on the south coast.”

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

Navy’s Smallest Vessel on View at Navy Days 2010! is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

In a speech to the House of Commons last night, Andrew Turner MP criticised the Budget, which sets out the Government’s plans for taxes and public spending.

Mr Turnerreminded the Government that the British people, British business and International markets are all crying out for concrete plans to reduce Britain’s economic deficit.  He expressed his concern that the Budget lacks credible measures to address public debt and contains big tax increases for hard-working families.

Mr Turner said:

“The Chancellor was content simply to make projections, when he should have been detailing plans, and to talk vaguely about an end point instead of precisely focusing on how we will get there.”

Britain’s national debt will hit an unprecedented £1.3 trillion by 2014-15, which is more than double the level of just a year ago and amounts to more than £50,000 per household.

Mr Turner said:

“If we do not quickly get a handle on this, our triple A credit rating will be downgraded, investors will lose confidence and the recovery will stall, if not worse. This situation will not just sort itself out, it will not just evaporate and it cannot be left for future Governments or future generations to sort out; it is our moral duty to begin reducing the deficit now, and that requires action from the Government today.”

The Budget has been called a “tax raid on the middle class.”  Indeed, Income tax will increase by stealth for 30 million people, since both the basic and higher rate thresholds have been frozen. This will mean £96 a year more for a couple who both work. A single pensioner on an average income will be more than £110 worse off as a result of Labour’s tax grabs.  National Insurance will be hiked for workers and for firms. This jobs tax will discourage businesses from hiring staff, cut people’s pay packets, and mean anyone earning £20,000 a year or more will be worse off.

Mr Turner said:

“When we look below the surface, we see that the Chancellor utterly ducked making the tough decisions in the best interest of the country and instead chose to penalise the overwhelming majority of hard-working people.”

Mr Turner added:

“The Budget was the Government’s unique opportunity to reassure the markets, secure the recovery and, most importantly, to help the British people.  They have comprehensively failed in every respect.  Indeed, it is nonsensical to expect the same Government who caused the problem on the one hand to offer an effective solution on the other.  So, we need an alternative.  If we do not get a grip now on tackling the continued implications of the economic crisis, it will be superseded by a social crisis that will make the recession look like small change.”

The full text of Andrew Turner’s speech can be found at:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100329/debtext/100329-0016.htm#10032940000141

Island MP speaks out against Budget failure is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

New Car-Free Scheme hopes to make the Isle of Wight  a ‘greener’ place to visit.

The brand new Car-Free Scheme, is the brainchild of Lois Prior, co-founder of the Big Green Island Project Community Interest Company.

Lois has spent many years working to ‘green’ the island’s tourism industry and was given the opportunity to spent time at the Isle of Wight Zoo’s green week, finding out about people’s travel habits while on holiday.

A map of the Isle of Wight was set up where people placed coloured stickers on places they had visited, or were planning to visit. The colour of the sticker denoted the means of travel, for instance, a red sticker represented car, blue for bus, yellow for train and green for walking or cycling.

“By the end of the week the map was awash with red stickers, even where public transport links were good” said Lois “people were feeling guilty about putting so many red stickers onto the map, especially in front of their children. When asked why they were using their car and not public transport, the answers were usually to do with convenience, cost and lack of information”.

The Car-Free Scheme hopes that it can overcome some of these barriers to using public transport. Island attractions and accommodation providers are encouraged to provide some sort of discount or other incentive to people who get there by bus or train, for instance discounted entry tickets or a free bus pass for hotel guests.

“What surprised me is that many attractions and some accommodation providers are already offering discounts as part of their green policy, but many failed to promote these discounts effectively, if at all. This scheme will promote any business that can offer an incentive to public transport users” said Lois “as well as offering information about island buses, trains, integrated tickets and places to visit without the car. The scheme has been kept as simple as possible. There are no vouchers or special passes. All you need to obtain your discount is your train / bus ticket or your Rover ticket. With a weekly bus Rover ticket costing just £40 for a whole family, I am sure that this scheme will also make economic sense as well”

The first to sign up to the new web site www.car-free.-scheme.org were Vintage vacations and Goodleaf Tree Climbing who are both offering discounts for public transport users. Within a few days of starting with the scheme, Vintage vacations has already taken three ‘car-free’ bookings.

Lois is also taking a good look at how the scheme can incorporate cyclists on the island, extending the benefits to even more non-car users. If you are interested in joining the scheme, please email lois@car-free-scheme.org or call 01983 220220 (leaving a message).

New Car-Free Scheme hopes to make the Isle of Wight a ‘greener’ place to visit. is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

The Ellen MacArthur Trust is a charity based on the IOW working with young people between 8 and 24, helping to rebuild their confidence after treatment for cancer and leukaemia.

Established in 2003 by world-renowned yachtswoman and IOW resident Dame Ellen MacArthur, the Trust now welcomes young people from hospitals all over the country to participate in short sailing trips, initially around the IOW. These young people have often spent long periods of their childhood in hospital, missing out on school and isolated from their peer group.  The trips give them a chance to regain their independence and take control of their lives again, meeting others who understand what they’ve been through.  We aim to rebuild the confidence lost during treatment, and simply have fun, with sailing being the perfect catalyst.

The young people sleep and eat on board, and are encouraged to participate in all aspects of crew life, from helming the yacht, to washing up, with the emphasis on teamwork.  The sailing is mixed with shore-based activities and the Trust is supported by local businesses and organizations including UKSA, Liz Earle, Plaza Ice Creams, Yarmouth Lifeboat, Red Funnel and Solent Yacht Club, helping to make sure all the young people have a great time.

They can then return each year, to sailing regattas, a residential dinghy week in Essex, or for longer cruising.  In 2009 we sailed Round Britain, with 74 young people crewing on one of 16 separate legs.  Trust crews sailed under London’s famous Tower Bridge, were welcomed into Belfast by the Lady Mayor, and saw dolphins and whales.  The yacht returned to Cowes in September at the end of a truly inspirational voyage! To find out more about the work of the Trust or how to support us, please visit www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org

The Ellen MacArthur Trust is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

The Kids’ Art in the Galleries programme held at Quay Arts on Saturday mornings between 10am and noon is great fun for children aged 8 years+ and is now completely FREE!

A different workshop each week, based on the Quay Arts’ current exhibition programme, led by our team of artist Gallery Educators.

Programme details follow:

Advance booking is essential as places are limited, please call Box Office: 01983 822490 to book your place. Please note: Bookings can only be taken for one week at a time.

All children 8yrs+ are welcome and should come dressed for mess!

FREE Kids’ Art in the Galleries this season at Quay Arts! is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

Start your festive season with a day out to A Victorian Festival of Christmas at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

The special 10th Anniversary event this year promises all of your festival favourites of the last decade with a host of Victorian entertainment and colourful characters, the largest Christmas market on the South Coast, and even more snow!

Tickets are now no longer available by phone, you can however buy them via the link on the left of this page at any time up to and during the event! They are also available in the Visitor Centre from 10am on all 3 days of the Festival.

Highlights include a Victorian Father of Christmas (complete in traditional green dress!), a snow covered Victorian Street, Nativity Farm, Punch & Judy shows, Parlour Games, Victorian School Room, Carol singing, Fagin’s Tavern, Lantern Parade, a Ride on Railway, Victorian Fairground and other great Christmas entertainment.

Browse a fine range of unique gifts, art, crafts and festive food and drink and get all of your Christmas Shopping done in one go!

There truly is something for everyone so bring along the whole family and make 2009 a Christmas to remember.

A Victorian Festival of Christmas at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

A lower gundeck dinner in HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar, is the centrepiece of a weekend in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard devoted to the leading fictional chronicler of Nelson’s Navy, Patrick O’Brian.

Brought to a new generation of fans by the film Master and Commander, starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany, Patrick O’Brian wrote a total of 20 books featuring Captain ‘Lucky’ Jack Aubrey and his constant companion, the surgeon, naturalist and part-time intelligence agent, Stephen Maturin. They have been described as the finest historical novels ever written.

The weekend, which runs from Friday 26^th to Sunday 28^th March 2010 inclusive, is being organised by the Royal Naval Museum, which is located in 18^th Century Storehouses at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. In addition to the HMS Victory dinner, other highlights include a concert of music and readings from the novels and lectures by leading historians on the Navy of the period.

“The aim is to celebrate Patrick O’Brian and the Navy he loved so much,” says Mrs Sue Goodger, the Museum’s Events Co-ordinator. “The first weekend a couple of years ago was intended to be a one-off, but we all enjoyed it so much that it has become a regular event. We get participants from all over the world, especially the United States.”

Places cost £450 per person (accommodation not included).

For further information on booking please contact Mrs Sue Goodger at the Royal Naval Museum, HM Naval Base (PP66), Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 3NH, UK (Tel: 023-9272-7583); e-mail: sue.goodger@royalnavalmuseum.org

Exclusive Weekend Offered For Fans Of Naval Novelist is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

To War with a Paint Box

Alan Morgan

Rope Store Gallery, Quay Arts

Fri 16 Oct – Sat 21 Nov 2009

Preview / Drinks Reception: Thu 15 Oct 6 – 8 pm All Welcome

Island artist; Alan Morgan was an officer in 104 (Essex Yeomanry) Regiment Royal Horse Artillery serving in the Western Desert, Syria and Italy from 1942 to 1946. As a soldier’s life consisted of periods of high drama interspersed with spans of rest and recuperation, his drawing and painting materials, carried in an ammunition box, were important to him. He drew and painted many portraits of fellow soldiers of which a few still exist. Some were drawn on air mail letter paper and sent home by the subjects.

He still attends a weekly life class – started many years ago in Bembridge by the late Pam Freeman and now continued under the direction of Colin Riches.

Son of an Islander, Alan and his family have lived on the Island since 1972, he currently lives in Bembridge with his wife Bobbie; and they have been married for 64 years.

This intimate exhibition runs during Armistice Day on Nov 11^th; commemorating the lives of those who fought in WWI.

To War with a Paint Box By Alan Morgan runs from: Fri 16 Oct – Sat 21 Nov, Rope Store Gallery, Quay Arts, Sea Street, Newport Harbour, Isle of Wight PO30 5BD

To War with a Paint Box Alan Morgan is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk

The Wildlife Trust’s National Red Squirrel Week

3 – 11 October 2009

You are invited to celebrate The Wildlife Trust’s National Red Squirrel Week at The Priory Bay Hotel during 3-11 October.

All budding photographers – do bring your camera with you and enter our competition to win a complimentarydinner on your next stay at Priory Bay – the best picture of a Priory Bay red squirrel wins! Please email your photo to marketing@priorybay.co.uk by Friday 16 October 2009.

Please contact us on 01983 613146 to make your reservation www.priorybay.co.uk

The Wildlife Trust’s National Red Squirrel Week is a post from: Isle of Wight - WightBlog.co.uk