ANCHORS aweigh!
143,162
143,162 visitors in 2023/24 (13% increase from the previous year)
Upgraded No.1 Smithery’s galleries with modern technology and displays
Introduced a £2 day ticket for Medway residents in receipt of Universal or Pension Credit
Year-long Monsters of the Deep exhibition in partnership with the National Maritime Museum Cornwall
10,000
Over 10,000 visitors attended our two major events - the Medway Gaming Festival and Salute to the ‘40s
Awarded Freedom of Medway to recognise the contribution of Dockyard workers made to the Falklands conflict
13,500 formal learning participants engaged through educational programs
Record net profit of £145k from visitor trading £145K
92% scored by Visit England Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme 92%
Relaunched Call the Midwife Official Location Tours
Transformed No. 3 Slip with the interactive Tape by Numen/For Use cultural installation
Coverage across all national press titles, with total reach in excess of £234m £234M
Completed the transformation of the Fitted Rigging House South into a commercial office space
Generated £222k in filming revenue despite industry-wide challenges £222K
Over £2.5m secured through fundraising and partnerships £2.5M
Kids in Museums Family Café Standard for The Mess Deck
Secured £2.3m from Arts Council England’s MEND programme for the preservation of Commissioner’s House
Views on online collection resources increased by 70% 70%
Refurbished the Sail and Colour Loft for Mid Kent College’s Medway School of Arts
Expanded formal learning offering with ‘Home Educator Days’
Launched a new website, boosting user engagement by 50% 50%
Image courtesy of Keith Bernstein HBO
Sandford Award for Heritage Education
Launched the Dockyard Dementia Café
Opening of The Royal Dockyard Church as a corporate venue
CHAIRMAN’S Introduction
It is again my privilege and pleasure to introduce our Annual Review, where 2023/24 has been a year of significant milestones and remarkable progress.
During the 2023/24 season visitor numbers increased by 13%, showing a steady recovery post-pandemic. The “Monsters of the Deep” exhibition, held in collaboration with the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, was a highlight, attracting strong visitation and significant media attention. Our ongoing commitment to formal education helped us earn a Sandford Award for Education, recognising excellence in learning outside the classroom. We are also proud to have received 92% from Visit England in our Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance assessment.
No.1 Smithery underwent major refurbishment, supported by generous
funding from DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Foyle Foundation and the Hedley Trust.
We completed the Fitted Rigging House South project, supported by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and it is now generating income from commercial tenants. Our partnership with the University of Kent continues with the development of the Docking Station, which seeks to utilise the former Police Section House. This will form the Institute of Creative Arts, culture and media and will be central to our wider development in the future.
In the autumn, I had the privilege of accepting the Freedom of Medway on behalf of the former dockyard workforce, recognising their contribution during the Falklands conflict. In December, alongside our RNLI Historic Lifeboat volunteers, I was honoured to collect a lifeboat named
One of my favourite days out. Plenty of space, good parking and excellent facilities while the exhibits themselves are superb.
by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II from HRH The Duchess of Edinburgh.
Heading into 2024, our focus shifted to commemorating four decades since the closure of the Royal Dockyard and the founding of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, a pivotal moment that enabled the transformation of this historic site into the dynamic and sustainable heritage estate it is today. Significantly in our 40th year as a charity, we have achieved financial independence, as the support from the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) concluded. We extend our gratitude to DCMS for their long-standing support and look forward to future collaboration.
I am delighted that, following a review of The Patronages of the Royal family, His Majesty The King has chosen to retain his Patronage of the Trust. This recognition, especially in our 40th anniversary year, reflects His Majesty’s high regard for our charitable work.
2024 also marks the start of 10-year strategic planning process following the completion of a series of 5-year Corporate Plans. Launching in 2025 this new strategy will guide us through the coming decade, focusing on our charitable purposes, values, and strategic imperatives. We are excited for this next chapter and look forward to sharing our progress.
Admiral Sir Trevor Soar
KCB OBE DL Chairman
VISION
& Objectives
VISION
The most complete and best-preserved Dockyard of the Age of Sail will increase its impact through innovative reuses of our heritage assets making it ever more relevant to all users, providing excellent experiences for all and inspirational learning for the widest audiences.
OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES:
PRESERVATION
To set the benchmark in maintaining excellence in the sympathetic preservation and use of The Historic Dockyard, its buildings, ships and collections through diverse re-use. Excellence in management of the heritage environment and building
LEARNING
To engage the widest audiences in learning about the significance and role of the former Royal Dockyard at Chatham and its people in supporting the Royal Navy from sail to steam to nuclear power over a 400 year period.
Utilising on-site heritage assets as the foundation for an industry leading museum and heritage site, we will maximise our reach and capacity whilst maintaining quality in delivering inspirational programmes and engaging activities which will incorporate the best use of digital technology and outreach activities.
EXCELLENCE
Providing excellence in everything we do, we will deliver an unmatched, inspirational and memorable experience for all users of The Historic Dockyard – whether visitors, tenants, residents or students – that exceed their expectations and maintains a balanced ecology of uses.
ENHANCING VISITOR ENGAGEMENT: Achieving the Learning Objective
We continue to meet our learning objective by offering a variety of experiences, from historic warships and exhibitions to galleries, collections, family programmes, and digital engagement.
VISITATION
During the 2023/24 season, we welcomed 143,162 visitors—a 13% increase from the previous year. While still below our long-term target, this growth gives us optimism for the year ahead.
EXHIBITIONS
In 2023, we adopted a thematic approach to programming with a year-long Monsters of the Deep theme, centred around a temporary exhibition on loan from the National Maritime
Museum Cornwall. Launched on 1st April (perfect for an April Fools Day stunt), this exhibition quickly became a highlight of the year, drawing in visitors with its exploration of the deep sea and the mysteries hidden beneath the waves.
Our smaller temporary exhibition space, the Pipe Bending Floor, featured Guardians of the Estuary, a community-driven project by Medway Swale Estuary Partnership, showcasing hundreds of knitted sea creatures to highlight local wildlife and environmental challenges. Following this, the National Historic Ships Photography Exhibition displayed bold amateur photography themed around “journeys.”
In collaboration with Dockyard tenant A+E Lab, we transformed No.3 Slip with Tape by Numen/For Use, a massive 20m cocoon-like structure made entirely from tape. Visitors could sit, walk, crawl, or simply admire this immersive cultural installation.
MUSEUM AND COLLECTIONS
Following a successful fundraising campaign, we upgraded No.1 Smithery, revitalising the Orientation and Permanent Exhibition galleries
A brilliant day out. Lots to see, enjoyed HMS CAVALIER, HMS GANNET and the tour of the submarine HMS OCELOT.
with modern technology and flexible displays. We also relocated the Chatham Chest (on loan from National Museums Greenwich) to No.1 Smithery, allowing for richer interpretation of its history, including its connections to Sir John Hawkins and the slave trade. This retelling, in collaboration with the Medway African Caribbean Association, is part of our ongoing effort to explore and present the complex narratives within the Dockyard’s 400-year history.
In partnership with Curating for Change (CfC), an initiative funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, our Disability History Focus Group looked into our collections to uncover hidden narratives and personal histories of individuals with disabilities connected to Chatham Dockyard and the Royal Navy. Their efforts culminated in the On the Shoulders of Giants exhibition, which celebrates overlooked voices in Disability History, and a Disability Trailblazers trail, set to launch in 2024/25. At its heart, this project is a testament to the importance of historical representation, research, and personal storytelling.
Our online collections continue to go from strength to strength with art and photographic collections added this year. Since the launch of the Trust’s new
143,162
During the 2023/24 season, we welcomed 143,162 visitors—a 13% increase from the previous year.
website in July 2023, page views of our online collections have increased by 70%.
FESTIVALS
In 2023, we hosted two major events:
• Medway Gaming Festival: Now in its third year, this festival attracted 5,500 visitors, a 30% increase from the previous year. Partnering with Medway Council, this event helped us engage new audiences with our core offer.
• Salute to the ‘40s: Our annual celebration of the 1940s drew 4,600 visitors, offering a nostalgic weekend filled with history and lively displays. This year’s event even included a wedding, as two re-enactors celebrated their love where they first met.
FORMAL LEARNING
We engaged 13,500 participants through our formal learning programs, both on-site and through outreach initiatives. Our Lifelong Learning team earned the prestigious Sandford Award for Heritage Education and was named a Trinity Champion Centre for Arts Award provision for the third year in a row. We also expanded our offerings with dedicated ‘Home Educator Days’ throughout the year.
FAMILIES
To enhance the visitor offer, we introduced family-friendly activities during peak holiday periods. Building on the momentum of Monsters of the Deep, we extended our successful
partnership with Silvergate Media, bringing the popular Octonauts series to Chatham for a second season. Other highlights included:
• What’s Hatching at the Dockyard – Easter-themed activities linked to Monsters of the Deep
• Doc Yard Summer Show – An interactive science show for the summer holiday
• Here Be Dragons – A play exploring myths from the deep ocean during October half-term
• HMS CAVALIER Crew Challenge –A fun half-term event in February
COMMUNITIES
We expanded our community engagement, partnering with local organisations and charities to break down barriers and support those who
Open Studios. The Monsters of the Deep theme was also carried through our community outreach activities, including Chatham Carnival and Medway Pride.
We introduced a £2 day ticket for Medway residents receiving Universal Credit and offered free summer creative workshops for families.
We also launched a monthly Dementia Café and expanded inclusive programming with British Sign Language (BSL) tours, audio-described tours, and Relaxed Opening Afternoons for neurodiverse visitors and their families.
DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
In July, a new website went live with a refreshed design and improved navigation. Beyond serving as a sales tool, the website plays a key role in supporting our learning objective by providing access to our online collections, sharing deeper stories and exploring life at the Dockyard (past and present). Thanks to enhanced SEO, the website experienced its best year ever in terms of user engagement (50% increase on previous year).
PROGRESS AND TRANSFORMATION: Achieving the Preservation Objective
With over 100 buildings and structures, including 47 scheduled ancient monuments, the preservation of our historic estate is an ongoing journey.
We achieve our charitable purpose of ‘preservation’ through our long-term ‘Preservation through Reuse’ strategy.
CARING FOR SCHEDULED ANCIENT MONUMENTS
In 2021, we secured a substantial grant from the Levelling Up Fund (LUF) to bring the southern end of The Fitted Rigging House into effective use. This transformational project—led by our internal team - has successfully turned the building into a thriving commercial office space. Fully occupied and now generating revenue for the Trust, this significant milestone was celebrated with the building’s grand opening on 9th November 2023 by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, and Sport, the Rt Hon Lucy Frazer MP.
The Sail and Colour Loft, a significant Scheduled Ancient Monument, is now home to Mid Kent College’s Medway School of Arts. This project involved external repairs, interior upgrades, and careful enhancements to suit the new tenant’s needs.
No.1 Smithery, our cultural facility and gallery, saw a major refresh. The building, which hadn’t seen major improvements since 2010, received a full internal redecoration, new flooring, enhanced lighting, and better visitor access. The improved No.1 Smithery Gallery was opened to the public in March 2024.
Thanks to a major grant from the Arts Council England’s MEND Round 3 programme, we are planning a comprehensive restoration of the Grade I Listed Commissioner’s House Set to begin in late 2024, the project will include critical roof repairs, mechanical and electrical updates, and environmental improvements, with completion targeted for 2026.
SMALL PROJECTS, BIG IMPACT
A series of smaller yet impactful projects ensured the continued care of our historic estate. Including roof repairs at the intersection of No. 3 and No. 4 Slip to external façade restorations at Machine Shop No. 3, and repainting Building 73.
Tenant properties also saw improvements, such as internal redecorations to the Admiral’s Offices, enhancing both the internal decorations and functionality of the space.
EXPANDING OUR PORTFOLIO
We are in the process of acquiring our 48th Scheduled Ancient Monument from Homes England - the Police Section House, a Grade II* listed structure. In a partnership with Medway Council and the University of Kent’s Institute of Cultural and Creative Industries, this building will be transformed into Docking Station, an innovative hub for digital and creative industries. Construction is set to begin in autumn 2024.
HISTORIC SHIPS
Caring for our three historic warships— HMS GANNET, HM Submarine OCELOT, and HMS CAVALIER remains a central part of our preservation work. Regular maintenance on GANNET and OCELOT has ensured their ongoing condition, while enhanced interpretation onboard OCELOT has improved the visitor experience.
This year on HMS CAVALIER we carried out hull repairs, painting, and maintenance on her decks. Areas of her hull are showing signs of deterioration, and we are closely monitoring the situation ahead of a planned dry docking procedure in the coming years.
DRIVING SUCCESS THROUGH Innovation and Enterprise
As an organisation, we are committed to being entrepreneurial, dynamic, and proactive, all while staying focused on our charitable mission.
By leveraging our trading activities, we generate the income needed to support and further our core purpose.
VISITOR TRADING:
Our visitor trading efforts saw a remarkable year, delivering a net profit of £145,000 and achieving a record high in ‘spend per head,’ showcasing the increasing appeal and value of the experiences we offer.
We welcomed over 15,000 people for weddings, meetings, and special occasions, with corporate bookings making up an impressive 56% of our venue hire. Following the University of Kent’s departure, we repurposed the Royal Dockyard Church into a stunning corporate venue, now in use for meetings, conferences and events.
CALL THE MIDWIFE:
Our Call the Midwife Official Location Tours remain a standout experience, drawing over 20,000 fans eager to explore the iconic filming locations with our costumed midwife guides. In May 2023, we unveiled an updated tour that aligned with the latest series, along with a refreshed gallery featuring new props, sets, and costumes. The launch event was attended by cast members and received national press coverage.
MISSION CHRISTMAS: THE CLAUSOMETER CATASTROPHE
For the second year in a row, we welcomed families to immerse themselves in our experience. This festive event, created to extend our season and attract new audiences, drew families from across Kent and boasted a strong repeat booking rate from 2022. It also achieved
the highest conversion rate to annual tickets of all our events and experiences.
FILMING:
The Historic Dockyard remains a sought after location for film and TV productions, generating £222,000k in revenue during this financial year. This was much reduced from the previous year due to the Hollywood writers’ strike which had a major impact on filming projects globally.
We welcomed stars like Tom Cruise, Hozier, and photographer David Yarrow, who brought Cara Delevingne and Bill Nighy to Chatham. The Dockyard also served as the backdrop for fashion shoots with BooHoo and Russell & Bromley.
ROPE SALES: TYING UP SUCCESS
Despite challenges in the market, our rope sales held strong, generating £409,000—slightly up from last year.
We collaborated with artist Lisa Vandy to create Dancing In Time: The Ties That Bind Us, a sculpture commissioned for the Liverpool Biennale and displayed at Albert Dock. Chatham-made retiarius nets will make an appearance on the set of Gladiator 2, due for release in November 2024.
£145,000
SETTING THE STANDARD: Achieving Excellence Objective
As an independent charity, we are committed to delivering excellence in everything we do.
Whether we’re creating unforgettable visitor experiences or supporting our tenants and residents, our goal is to consistently exceed expectations.
SETTING THE BAR HIGH
By benchmarking our performance against the best in the industry and seeking external validation, we ensure that we maintain the highest standards. Through our participation in the Visit England Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS), we’re proud to have achieved an impressive score of 92% for 2023/24
4.6
13-YEAR WINNING STREAK
For the 13th consecutive year, we’ve been awarded the Travellers’ Choice Award recognition of the outstanding visitor experiences we provide.
KIDS IN MUSEUMS: FAMILY CAFÉ STANDARD
We are also proud to meet the Café Standard highlighting our commitment to creating a welcoming and familyfriendly environment in our main restaurant.
92% for 2023/24 Visit England Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) 92%
FUNDRAISING AND DONATIONS Highlights
Support from third-party sources has been vital to the success and survival of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, and we are incredibly grateful to the individuals and organisations that have contributed this year.
Whether through grants, donations, or legacy gifts, their generosity helps further the important work we do and ensures the continued preservation of this extraordinary place. Every contribution is hugely appreciated and makes a real difference to the valuable work we do.
This year, we were fortunate to receive several key grants, including:
£196,000 from the Department for Culture, Media, and Sport to fund critical Planned Preventative Maintenance projects, ensuring the upkeep of our historic buildings.
INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE and building for the future
As a charity, our greatest asset is our people. Investing in the development and wellbeing of our staff and volunteers is not just a priority—it’s essential for our future success.
In 2023/24, we saw the retirement of long-serving member of our team, Financial Controller, Chris Knott. We are pleased to welcome Sean Rodwell as the new Financial Controller, who joined us in 2023 as Financial Controller (Designate).
Our succession planning process is designed to ensure that the Trust continues to thrive by engaging and developing talent at all levels. We provide extensive training in areas such as health and safety, GDPR, ED&I, and safeguarding, all of which are supported by a staff handbook available to every team member.
PROMOTING WELL-BEING AND INCLUSION
Employee well-being is at the heart of our culture. Over the past year, we introduced a range of well-being initiatives, including regular social activities and a new employee assistance program.
In line with our commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, we launched a new Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) strategy. The strategy documents how we aim to better understand our barriers to entry and make The Historic Dockyard Chatham welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
VOLUNTEERS
these giving up their valuable time to work with us on a regular basis. We are grateful for all the support they provide to us.
THE BIG HELP OUT
From railway operators to ship-keepers and conservators to researchers, volunteers are crucial to the operation of the Historic Dockyard and we are forever grateful for the time and expertise our volunteers bring to the organisation. We have over 300 registered volunteers with c.150 of
We proudly participated in The Big Help Out, a national initiative celebrating the power of volunteering linked to the coronation of our Patron, His Majesty King Charles III. This event offered an incredible opportunity to spotlight the vital role our volunteers play, and to invite even more people to get involved in the work we do.
£2.3 million from Arts Council England’s MEND programme to fund essential repairs and updates to Commissioner’s House, safeguarding this iconic building for future generations.
c.£350k in contributions for No.1 Smithery, generously provided by the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund, Garfield Weston Foundation, Foyle Foundation, and Headley Trust, which allowed for significant improvements to our gallery spaces.
Each of these contributions plays a vital role in advancing our preservation, education, and visitor experience initiatives.
We extend our thanks to all who have supported us this year, including those who have remembered the Trust with
As a charity, we support local communities through our outreach work, educational programme and preservation of the Dockyard for all to access and enjoy. If you are able to support our charitable work by way of donation, please consider making a contribution by scanning the QR code.
GOVERNANCE
The Trust is a registered charity with 11 Trustees responsible for its governance. We are privileged to have His Majesty The King as our Patron.
PATRON
HM The King
VICE PATRONS AT 31 MARCH 2024
Admiral Sir Ian Garnett KCB
The Rt. Hon Sir Timothy Sainsbury Kt PC
The Lady Colgrain, Lord Lieutenant of Kent
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
The Board of Trustees is responsible for setting our strategic direction and for monitoring progress to achieve this.
Admiral Sir Trevor Soar KCB, OBE, DL (Chairman)
Professor Robert Allison CBE, DL
Sir Ian Andrews CBE, TD (Retired 24/09/24)
Mr Rodney Chambers (Retired 28/09/2023)
Mr William A Corbett
Mr Paul D Hudson
Mr Paul Jackson OBE
Mr Tony Jones (Appointed 23/05/2024)
Dame Diane Lees CBE (Appointed 23/05/2024)
Cllr Harinder Mahil (Appointed 23/05/2024)
Miss Sarah E Roots
Mr Prodaman K Sarwal MBE (Retired 23/05/2024)
Mr Duncan Wilson CBE
Mrs Deirdre Wells OBE
SECRETARY
Mr Christopher Langridge
COMPANY MEMBERS
The Trustees and Board Members
The Rt. Hon. The Secretary of State for Defence
The Rt. Hon. The Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport
Mr John Spence OBE DL
THE EXECUTIVE
The Executive Team is responsible for the strategic leadership and day to day running of The Historic Dockyard Chatham, including the museum and visitor attraction, commercial estate and historic properties.
Mr Richard Morsley
Chief Executive
Mr Paul Barnard
Deputy Chief Executive
Mrs Lynnette Crisp
Director of Communications & Public Engagement
Mr Nigel Howard Director of the Historic Environment and Buildings
Mr Christopher Knott (Retired 31/03/24) Financial Controller
Ms Olivia Horner Director of Commercial Operations
Mr Sean Rodwell (Appointed 27/11/23) Financial Controller
REGISTERED OFFICE
1st Floor North
Fitted Rigging House
The Historic Dockyard Chatham Kent
ME4 4TZ
Tel: 01634 823800
Email: info@chdt.org.uk
The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is a registered charity (Charity No. 292101) and registered company (Company No. 01804108).
The Trust is a Fully Accredited Museum.
Scan the QR code to view the full Annual Report and Accounts.
