PHOENIX FROM THE FLAMES
Kids Go Free This Summer
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust is excited to announce a special summer offer: Kids Go Free! From Saturday, July 27 to Sunday, September 1, children can visit
The Historic Dockyard Chatham for free, making it the perfect family outing during the school holiday.
On 30 March 1984 Chatham Dockyard’s gates closed, ending 400 years of the Royal Navy’s presence in Chatham and the surrounding area.
The very same day, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust was formed to save 80 acres of this uniquely historic site and provide a beacon of hope for the community.
At its height (during the Second World War), the Dockyard employed more than 17,000 workers from more than 26 different trades. Just prior to the announcement of its closure, the Dockyard employed 6,500 civilians.
Richard Morsley, Chief Executive of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said:
“In 1984, the year of Band Aid and the Miner’s Strike, the closure of the Dockyard in Chatham went unnoticed by many outside of the Medway Towns. Its closure was more than purely an economic impact, the Dockyard provided identity, purpose and value to the community; it was akin to the heart being ripped out of the Medway Towns.”
As the biggest employer, the importance of the Dockyard to the community cannot be understated
Richard Morsley continued:
Described as the ‘mainspring of the Medway Towns’ economy’, the Dockyard supported local businesses who were dependent upon the Dockyard or its workforce for their order book.
The largest educator in Medway ceased overnight on 30 March 1984
Richard Morsley explained “It was the education centre for the Medway Towns. School leavers would take the Dockyard Examthis would determine their level of training and apprenticeship from the boiler room to the Admiral’s office. From shipbuilding to architecturetrades were taught and forged at the Dockyard.”
Forty years on and the Trust, who began the work of preserving, conserving and finding a use for the historic site in 1984, is simultaneously remembering the closure and what it meant to Chatham, while also celebrating the achievements of the last four decades.
Richard Morsley, said:
“The regeneration of the site has taken nearly four decades, and today The Historic Dockyard Chatham is a vibrant and thriving mixed-use heritage estate; an award winning museum and visitor attraction, educational campus, commercial and residential estate, and filming location.
With this offer, families can explore 400 years of maritime heritage by boarding three historic warships, walking the famous ¼ mile double ropewalk, enjoying hands-on history in the many galleries, and discovering the captivating stories of the Dockyard and its people.
Find out more and book at thedockyard.co.uk
“For nearly 400-years, the Royal Dockyard at Chatham played a hugely significant role in supporting the Royal Navy. Within its walls and on its slips over 400 ships and submarines were built, including HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar. During its long history, from the Age of Sail through to the Falklands Conflict, thousands more ships and submarines were maintained and refitted in Chatham.”
“The partnerships formed during this time and the milestones passed, have helped to deliver much-needed hope for the locality, whilst also placing Chatham on the international stage as a destination not just for education and creativity but also as the best preserved Dockyard of the Age of Sail.
● The 2024 Historic Dockyard team celebrates 40 years
A HISTORIC CLOSURE AND A NEW CHAPTER FOR CHATHAM
After 400 years as a Royal Dockyard, the closure on 30 March 1984 was marked with mementoes handed to the new owners of the site to signify the spirit of regeneration.
A baton was handed to LieutenantGeneral Sir Steuart R Pringle Bt KCB DSc, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.
The baton read:
“this baton was handed over on 30 March 1984 to symbolise passing on the responsibility for continuing and developing the tradition of high standards in skill and performance
which were maintained on the Dockyard site for over 400 years.”
The Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust had its inaugural meeting at the Ministry of Defence building on Whitehall that same afternoon.
The Trust was established with an endowment from the government of £11.35 million, representing the minimum sum felt necessary to enable immediate maintenance priorities to be met, and giving the Trust sufficient breathing space to be able to establish commercial ventures to generate income to secure its long-term future.
A MONUMENTAL HERITAGE PROJECT
On 1st April 1985, one year after the Trust had established itself, Richard Holdsworth MBE walked through the gates as the first curator of The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
The scale and difficulty of saving the world’s most complete Dockyard of the Age of Sail, was not lost on Richard Holdsworth. The Dockyard is like no other site, or museum, due in part to its size, and the fact that it is home to over 100 buildings built from the 1700s onwards.
Richard said: “The Dockyard was the reason Chatham and the Medway Towns existed. The 80 acres of heritage, or a square mile, is entirely built heritage, and on a huge scale.”
Slowly but surely the public began to come through the gates of the Dockyard. A new visitor centre was opened in July 1985, but Richard explained:
“The experience was very much ‘look at the history of the Dockyard in one building then walk around the derelict buildings and mind your step! The Ropery, the first gallery, opened two years later and enabled visitors to see the working naval ropery.”
In 1986, the first full year of
●
opening to the public, 14,000 people came to the The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
Residential housing works started in 1986 with the renovation of No.1
Officer’s Terrace. In April 1987 the first exhibition in the Ropery was opened and the Historic Dockyard’s own rope making company Master Ropermakers ran the commercial operation in the Ropery.
In July 1987 the Victorian sloop HMS GANNET first arrived on site and a temporary exhibition gallery opened in 1988 in the Sail & Colour Loft, with a viewing gallery so visitors could see people working with traditional skills.
During the period of 1989/1990 the Trust tackled the restoration of its first major Scheduled Ancient Monument, the Mast Houses and Mould Loft to house the site’s first major museum gallery, Wooden Walls – a reconstruction of the Dockyard of the Age of Sail.
In 1990, the Wooden Walls gallery was awarded the English Tourist Board’s highest national award for development of a tourist attractionThe England Excellence Award and the Mast Houses and Mould Loft received a commendation in the 1990 Civic Trust Awards.
MESS DECK RESTAURANT
Up Periscope: The Newspaper of HM Dockyard Chatham
Each of the royal Dockyards had their own in-house newspaper. The official newspaper of HM Dockyard Chatham was called Periscope. The paper ran from 1965 until 1983, the year before the closure. Periscope featured various articles on the achievements of different Dockyard departments including key ship refits and pioneering practices. It also regularly highlighted the work of apprentices, including the first female apprentice Zandra Bradley. It provided an interesting insight into the social side of the Dockyard community at that time, featuring retirements of long-serving personnel alongside the successes of Dockyard sports teams and interdepartmental social gatherings. Some of the contents was more light-hearted including colouring and crossword competitions. A regular feature on the front page from February 1974 onwards was the beauty pageant style competition Maid of the Month. Similar competitions, like Maid of the Month and Miss Energy Saver, also featured.
DOCKYARD FUN FACT
Around 16,000 yards (14,500 miles) of sausages were consumed on board Second World War Destroyer HMS CAVALIER during her service.
After 400 years as a Royal Dockyard, the closure on 30 March 1984 was marked with mementoes handed to the new owners of the site
FROM SHED TO SHOWCASE
Words by Clive Stanley
44 years ago, the original Dockyard Museum was lovingly put together by Dockyard Workers who spent their lifetime working in the ‘yard. This is their story…
It all started with artefacts being stored in a “Shed” instead of the salvage dump where they were destined because of the yard’s closure. Eventually the team of dedicated employees were granted use of the old Lead & Paint Mill by Alan Maunder (Chatham Dockyard’s final Personnel Manager), where they gradually set up the Museum.
Officially opened in April 1982 by Rear Admiral Brewer, it was called “Chatham Dockyard Historical Centre”. Displays showcased all Dockyard Trades with many tools and artefacts on display. They, the Dockyard Workers, created something very special in this Museum, covering the trades and skills crucial to warship construction and refits which acquired as Apprentices and going on to spend their working lives in the ‘yard. They were extremely proud of their
Dockyard and their contribution in keeping the Royal Navy afloat.
Creating the Museum led to formation of the Chatham Dockyard Historical Society (CDHS). Founded earlier in October 1980 the Society held meetings and talks in the Lead & Paint Mill.
The Museum and CDHS members played a crucial part in the early years of Chatham Historic Dockyard
FIRST IN LINE
Patrick Boniface recalls being the first visitor to the Historic Dockyard when it opened in 1985. 40 years! It is quite an impressive number when I look back at the school kid I was as I waited patiently outside what was then the museum entrance for it to open for the first time. You see I am now a journalist working within the naval and maritime sectors with 14 books to my name and a radio career to boot, but back in 1984 I was still at school but with a passion for all things Navy. Growing up in Maidstone I loved the idea that the Royal Navy was just over the North Downs and that every spring I got to pester my Dad to drive me up to Chatham and walk with me around the Basins and look at all the wonderful warships on display within the Dockyard. In 1981 I remember not minding that I couldn’t get on any warships at Navy Days because they were too popular, we settled for tours around RFA Sir Percivale and RFA Grey Rover, but a fire had been lit in me.
Trust by being the only building open to the public where light refreshments could be served. When the Trust opened up the Dockyard for a weekend of free entry to Medway residents, the Museum was overwhelmed by visitors seeking a cup of tea.
It was a couple of years after the formation of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust that a plan was put forward to create “The Museum of the Royal Dockyard” in the ground floor of the Fitted Rigging House. It was agreed that the Chatham Dockyard Historical Society would work with the Trust and move all their artefacts to the new location in this combined project. A change of name to the ‘Steam, Steel and Submarine” gallery sees Society Members continually manning the Gallery on a seven day a week basis; as Reading Room Stewards and dealing with enquiries from visitors; caring for many artefacts within our Ropery area.
For details about Chatham Dockyard Historical Society, visit www.cdhs.org.uk.
I wanted to be a Royal Navy officer, a helicopter pilot, but with poor eyesight, bad maths and poor exam results, an officer position was unlikely and there was no way I was going into the Navy to be shouted at, so journalism about the Navy became my next best option. So it was there on opening day that I was dropped off by my parents. I remember it being quite lonely at first and chilly, but four decades of forgetfulness may have clouded my memories. I do recall, however, that I was excited. Expectations were getting the better of me. Imagining what lay behind the walls that had shielded the Dockyard from the outside world for so long. That I was first in the queue surprised me. I was expecting it to be heaving with people who shared my fascination with what lay inside Chatham Dockyard. But there I was with some pennies in my pocket to find a phone box to call my parents when I was done so they could collect their naval enthusiast son and bring him home.
Finally, the door to the old museum building opened and out stepped Sir Steuart Pringle. He smiled at me and said something like ‘You must be keen, you’ve been here hours’. And I had. But I didn’t mind. I was the first member of the public to see inside the new museum, sample what everyone else would eventually come to see. I saw industry, warfare, models and sails, surprising buildings, railways and beautiful boltholes that seemed out of place in an industrial landscape. 400 years of naval history in one place, but such a vast site. I was just 15 years old and staggered by the variety and complexity of the Dockyard. In 1985 there were no preserved warships in the dry docks and the museum building was hidden away up by the main gate. All the attractions that we have today were years ahead in the future, but to feel the history of the place was something special and that I was now part of the history of Chatham Historic Dockyard, a permanent small part of the place I have visited every single year, both professionally and for fun, since then is an honour and a treat.
MISS ENERGY SAVER 1979
Words by Elizabeth Du Brun
Miss Energy Saver was a pageant style beauty contest, like others run at the Dockyard for example Miss Chatham Dockyard and Maid of the Month, but this was linked specifically to the ‘yard energy economy campaign. Entrants needed to come up with good energy saving tips for a chance to be chosen for the title.
Unlike the others, it appears to have been a short-lived campaign, with Elizabeth being the first and last Miss Energy Saver.
I have many fond memories of my time working in the Dockyard; not only was it my first proper employment in the world of work, it was also the place where I was awarded the acclaimed title of Miss Energy Saver.
I started work in the Dockyard in October 1979 as a Clerical Assistant in the account’s office, completing a range of different administration tasks. Many would agree that my role was one of the most important, as I had the responsibility of preparing the pay packets with cash on a Thursday to be paid out on Friday by the recorders.
I first came across the advert for Miss Energy Saver when I was reading the Periscope newspaper - at that time, I would read the paper regularly as it included interesting information about life in the Dockyard. When the advert first appeared, my friend and I decided to go for it as a bit of a laugh.
The process of application was not ‘just a laugh’ though as we both had to have head shots taken by a
Dockyard photographer. As well as an interview, although I can’t remember who interviewed me, yet clearly, based on the outcome, I impressed them and won the competition.
My role as Miss Energy Saver was varied and involved me going around the ‘yard visiting different departments where they had saved money and energy. On occasion, I would hand out certificates and prizes - sometimes they went to individuals and other times to a whole team. I really enjoyed the role as it gave me a chance to meet lots of people and fully experience the Dockyard at its finest.
Although it was many years ago now, I believe I was the only Miss Energy Saver.
I left before the Dockyard officially closed. I had a few temporary jobs after I left the Dockyard. However, I’ve worked for Lloyds Bank for 34 years now and I still work for them. I got married and had 3 daughters. I now have 5 grandchildren. Sadly I’m now a widow but I live life to the full.
ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS HAS MEDWAY STITCHED UP
For months, an army of dedicated volunteers took to their crochet hooks to bring the Dockyard’s 40th anniversary to life. The group crocheted, knitted, and stitched a series of “yarn-bombs” around the Medway Towns to mark the charity’s ruby year.
All those passing through Medway may have seen The Historic Dockyard Chatham’s most well-known icons skilfully replicated in colourful wool in a project coordinated by Unravel & Unwind, C.I.C.
Chatham’s famous traffic conewearing local landmark, the Sir Thomas Waghorn statue, was given a fabulous new outfit, consisting of a knitted traffic cone and Dockyardinspired cape.
A post-box topper inspired by Call the Midwife popped up in Gillingham High Street, created by the Gillingham WI. Military Road,
Chatham played host to a second creation by Gillingham WI, as they honoured RNLI 200 with a crocheted lifeboat. At Rainham Shopping Centre, there were two post-box toppers both honouring the 1940s. The first scene dedicated to The Dockyard’s popular event Salute to the ‘40s was created by Unravel & Unwind Yarnbomb Group. The second was kindly on loan by Toni Milton and depicts the soldiers of the Second World War. The historic locomotives of the Dockyard took centre stage in the final post-box topper near Strood Station.
The crochet and knitted installations formed part of Medway Open Studios. It also included an exhibition at the Historic Dockyard, featuring crocheted versions of HM Submarine OCELOT, HMS GANNET and many anchors. The display will tour to Intra Arts in August.
Dockyard Welcomes Innovative Artists
The Trust welcomed artists Lisa Vandy and Caz Hildebrand to its creative community in 2023.
Sculptor Lisa Vandy brings together found and made objects to create new meaning. Lisa continually explores new materials and often addresses the under-representation of the sculpted abstract female form.
Currently on display at the Historic Dockyard, Lisa’s sculpture, ‘Dancing In Time: The Ties That Bind Us, ’ was inspired by and collaborated with, The Master Ropemakers. Showcasing the incredible craft and skills of the ropemakers, the work draws on the symbolism of rope and its historic importance.
The piece was commissioned by Liverpool Museums and was originally located at Albert Dock during the Liverpool Biennale.
Caz Hildebrand started her career designing books for publishers Penguin and Random House then founded a studio designing books, brands and packaging. After a career focused on two-dimensional design, Caz now creates three-dimensional work, primarily from clay but also uses other materials like glass, metal, plaster and stone.
Connecting with Claude Choules’ Granddaughter
Words by Alex Crouch
Every member of the Visitor Experience team over the last 40 years will have their own lightning in a bottle moment – that day where they met someone or a group of people so unexpected that they’ll never forget that encounter.
I have been fortunate enough to experience four, each one more incredible than the last.
From seeing Bollywood icon Akshay Kumar falling backwards into the crew’s bathroom on HMS CAVALIER during filming for ‘Rustom’ less than a month
into my time with the Trust, to conducting a group of mostly children from near Pripyat in a rendition of the Russian-language folk song ‘Katyusha’ around the covered slips in my first summer, to welcoming aboard CAVALIER three Soviet naval veterans (one a Siege of Leningrad veteran) who were the guests of the CAVALIER Association in 2019, I felt like I’d amassed some pretty good anecdotes.
Then came the Monday after Salute to the ‘40s in 2023, when I met the granddaughter of Claude
Both artists are based in the Old Guard House at The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
Choules, who had been a boy cadet on GANNET between 1915 and 1916, when she was the training ship MERCURY…scan the QR code to read the full story
Above top : Lisa Vandy Below: Caz Hildebrand
SPOTLIGHT ON: DEVELOPING A CREATIVE COMMUNITY
In 2021, Docking Station, the University of Kent’s groundbreaking Medway hub for digital creative industries, was awarded £5.6million from Medway Council’s successful Levelling Up Fund bid.
Since this early funding success, the project also has received over £3.5m funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside additional funding from Arts Council England’s Cultural Development Fund.
The state-of-the-art creative industries hub is being developed in partnership with the Trust and Medway Council and will be situated on the site of the former Police Section House at The Historic Dockyard Chatham. The Police Section House will be transformed into a new digital facility, with hitech studios for digital production, research and innovation with spaces for teaching and business development, plus a café and
exhibition spaces. Upon completion in late 2025, this will be the Trust’s 48th Scheduled Ancient Monument in its portfolio.
It will place cultural and creative industries at the heart of Medway’s regeneration plans and its facilities will harness the power of immersive digital technology to open up new possibilities for young people and the communities of Kent and Medway.
Wellesley Figurehead Restored
Originally built at Bombay Dockyard in 1815, the 74-gun HMS WELLESLEY served for nearly four decades before becoming a harbour flagship and receiving ship at Chatham Dockyard in 1854.
She continued her service until 1868 and later transitioned into a training ship. Her life came to a tragic end when she sank following a German air raid in September 1940. Yet, her figurehead survived and was salvaged in 1948.
Today, this historic figurehead stands proudly near the Main Gate of the Dockyard, a Grade II listed artifact since 1971, admired for its historical significance.
Recently, the figurehead underwent significant conservation work to address structural damage and paint loss due to its exposure to the elements. RNLI volunteers Frank and Mim crafted a weatherproof cover to protect it during the restoration process. The Trust’s
Conservator, Karoline Sofie, led the restoration efforts which included:
Surface Cleaning: Removing algae, dust, traffic pollutants, bird excrement, and spiderwebs using a solvent and distilled water mixture.
Crack Stabilization: Using synthetic fillers to stabilize cracks caused by outdoor conditions.
Material Loss Infills: Reconstructing lost or damaged areas, such as the nose and head, with a malleable filler.
Paint Retouches: Refreshing faded areas with UV-resistant paint and adding a synthetic coating to preserve older paint layers and match the figurehead’s glossy appearance.
The restored figurehead was unveiled earlier this summer. On your next visit to the Dockyard, be sure to witness the restored grandeur of the HMS WELLESLEY’s figurehead and enjoy a piece of maritime history meticulously brought back to life.
THE ROYAL DOCKYARD CHURCH, NOW AVAILABLE FOR HIRE AT THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM.
Looking for a versatile venue to host your next big event?
Look no further than the Royal Dockyard Church. With tiered seating for up to 200 guests, a stage, and presentation equipment, this purpose-built theatre space is the perfect spot for your next staff training day, lecture, theatre performance, or multi-day conference.
Available to hire on its own or in conjunction with other breakout spaces, the Royal Dockyard Church offers flexibility and convenience to meet all your event needs.
Don’t miss out on this incredible venue –visit thedockyard.co.uk/hire to enquire.
40 YEARS AND OVER 80 MOVIES, SHOWS AND VIDEOS FILMED AT THE HISTORIC DOCKYARD CHATHAM
In the 40 years since Chatham Dockyard closed its gates as a working Dockyard on 30 March 1984, the historic space has found new life as a visitor attraction, multi-business site and as a location set for Hollywood blockbusters and Netflix favourites like The Crown and Call the Midwife.
The Dockyard was first used as a film location in 1989 for the television show Great Expectations (Disney Channel). The following year the Ropery’s exteriors featured in the film The Mill on the Floss. In 1999 big budget Hollywood came to the Dockyard for The Mummy and the same year saw James Bond chase down the River Medway in a boat whilst filming at the Dockyard for The World is Not Enough.
Olivia Horner, Director of Commercial and Operations at the Historic Dockyard, is in charge of
liaising with film and music video enquiries. She said:
“Filming for us is really important – it’s income that goes directly back into our charity to help preserve our site and historic buildings.
“Filming also plays a significant role in helping us reach new audiences and engage people who wouldn’t typically visit the Dockyard. For Call The Midwife, we attract 15,000 visitors each year who come to see us for the location tour, but what we end up seeing is repeat visitation when they experience what we have here in Chatham.”
Over a fairly short time span, Hollywood blockbusters, popular television shows and mini series have been filmed at the Dockyard.
Created in partnership with award-winning television production company, Neal Street Productions, the Call The Midwife
Official Location Tour at The Historic Dockyard Chatham is the only one of its kind in the world.
Visitors to the tour are guided through the site by their very own costumed Midwife, armed with a photograph book and tales of their ‘sisters’, before being allowed to explore the sets, costumes and props in an exclusive gallery.
Dame Pippa Harris, Executive Producer, said:
“Call the Midwife has had a long and successful relationship with The Historic Dockyard Chatham from filming many of the iconic external scenes to running a wonderful tour and exhibition. Our cast and crew love filming there against such an authentic backdrop.”
Big names from stage and screen have been spotted filming at the
Dockyard. Olivia said:
“Having the likes of Robert Downey Junior, Tom Hiddleston and Ed Sheeran here, adds another level of excitement and the whole team gets a real buzz out of hosting them. You never quite know what you are going to see when there’s filming taking place; you could have the cast of Call The Midwife in Midwife Alley, or Tom Hiddleston running past your window.”
It’s not just the stars of film and television who have been drawn to the Dockyard, the music world has used the atmospheric spaces to shoot videos; from Kanye West to The 1975, from Hozier to Ed Sheeran.
“Ed Sheeran filmed a series of music videos, in a number of different spaces around the Dockyard on a nautical theme - of which we were perfect
for! There was a short lead time, we literally had a week and a half to turn it around during spring 2023. It was a closed set and we felt very privileged to be part of it, it felt like watching our own private Ed Sheeran concert.”
There have been breaks in filming due to covid and the more recent actor’s strike, but Olivia says things are getting back on track:
“Starting back after covid was difficult on the industry - we would have 300 extras and they needed to be socially distanced – but luckily we had the space.”
The list of movies, television shows and music videos grows year on year - and in its 40th year The Historic Dockyard Chatham is happy to celebrate over 80 shoots across four decades.
Generations United
There was only one choice of venue for our wedding when Dean and I decided to tie the knot and that was of course the Historic Dockyard. We’re both locals and have lived in the Medway Towns for virtually all our lives but my own personal connection with the ‘yard goes back considerably further.
Commissioner’s House is a beautiful building and one that I had visited before but it was new to Dean despite spending time in Chatham as a Sea Cadet. He was blown away by the architecture and décor and of course the tangible sense of history within the building but for me the ‘yard represents centuries of my own family’s involvement.
My brother worked in the ‘yard as part of the team overseeing its closure 40 years ago; my uncle volunteered in the Museum and my Dad sung in the Dockyard Church choir way back in the ‘40s and ‘50s. These sorts of links with the ‘yard are not unusual for local families but delving further back in to my ancestry I found that
the Cleaves family had served the ‘yard in other capacities too.
I am probably most proud of my own Grandad’s links with the ‘yard. He started working in the Smithery before the war and apart from a brief hiatus working in Gibraltar in the ‘40s, he stayed as a Dockyard employee until the early 1970s, rising to the role of Chargeman in the Smithery and
Words by Judi Cleaves
receiving his long service medal from the Commissioner himself, in Commissioner’s House. This being the very same place where we were married in this May. I‘d like to feel that although neither my Dad or Grandad are still with us, being in this venue will somehow bring more meaning to the events of the day.
But the links don’t end there; a
great, great uncle of mine Alfred worked in the Ropery in the 1860s alongside his brother, Henry a labourer in the ‘yard. I do also believe that we can trace Cleaves family members as far back as the 1780s and ‘90s when a distant relative, John Cleaves, was working as a Shipwright. And if we weren’t working for the Navy, we were plying the workers and sailors
with drink in one of the many local hostelries we owned or managed. The Plough and Chequers, Two Sawyers and the Waggon at Hale to mention a few.
The Dockyard closed 40 years ago but for us it is still relevant, and it is where we celebrated our wedding with friends and family this May.
Image courtesy of Keith Bernstein HBO
ROYAL SUPPORT
King Charles III Honours Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust
During its 40th anniversary year, the Trust is delighted to announce that His Majesty The King has confirmed his Patronage of the award winning charity, continuing the role he first took up in 2006 as HRH The Prince of Wales.
His Majesty began his association with Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust on a visit to open the new Royal Dockyard Library in 2006.
He then became Patron to the No.1 Smithery project in 2007 during its initial development. Following a visit to officially open the No.1 Smithery building, his Patronage was extended to the wider work of the Trust in April 2013.
His Majesty last visited the Historic Dockyard, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant of Kent The Lady Colgrain, in February 2022 to show
his support ahead of the forthcoming visitor season.
Admiral Sir Trevor Soar, KCB, OBE, DL, Chairman, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust said: “It is a huge honour and a rather special 40th anniversary gift that His Majesty has chosen to retain the Patronage of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.”
“Thanks to inspired leadership and determined strategic planning, this incomparable historic site was saved…”
● His Majesty The King. As His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Patron, Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust.
Dockyard fun facts
Over 30 miles of rope was needed to rig a First-Rate Ship of the Line, e.g. VICTORY, which was enough to reach from Chatham to Trafalgar Square.
When HM Submarine OCELOT first came to Chatham in 1992, she had to spend some time moored up on Anchor Wharf. During this time, so many barnacles had attached to her hull that when workers removed them, they managed to fill six skips.
The Dockyard had its own language or slang. Tea break was known as “Beaver” and an unofficial job, using Dockyard materials, was known as a “Rabbit”.
When sailors died at sea, they were sewn into their hammocks, with the last stitch going through their nose to make sure they were actually dead and not pretending, in order to get off the ship.
Whitbread shire horses used to deliver beer to the Dockyard on a branded wagon. This continued into the 1970s and they were often photographed by the submarines undergoing refits/refuelling in the basins.
The Historic Dockyard Chatham will present Ralph STEADman: INKling this Autumn.
This exciting new exhibition, opening 21 September, will give both dedicated Steadman fans, as well as the uninitiated, a unique chance to see four distinctive sides of a remarkable career from Steadman’s iconic Gonzo work to his beautiful children’s illustrations.
Over the course of seven decades, Ralph Steadman has illustrated some of the most celebrated literary works of all time from Hunter S Thompson’s Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas to literary classics, including Treasure Island, Alice in Wonderland and Animal Farm. Entry to the exhibition is included in an admission ticket to The Historic Dockyard Chatham.
Dragon Boat Debut for HMS DOCKYARD
By Vikkie Mulford
Last year, the crew of HMS DOCKYARD competed for the first time in the 8th annual Dragon Boat Challenge at Basin 2 on St. Mary’s Island.
The event, which raises money for various local charities and is the flagship fundraising event for Medway Sunlight Rotary Club, is part of the Chatham Maritime Trust Food and Drink Festival.
Always up for a challenge, a motley crew was made up of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust staff and volunteers. The sun was shining, and nerves were building as the team proudly displayed their new branded sports shirts and waited to be called for the first race of the day. A few of the crew started to wonder what they had let themselves in for. After the safety
FROM APPRENTICE TO ATHLETE: THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF GRAEME SAKER
Words by Graeme Saker
briefing, the team tentatively made their way down the jetty to the line of waiting Dragon Boats – forty foot long, elaborately decorated Chinese war canoes with a dragon’s head and tail attached.
The crew paddled like their lives depended on it and before they knew it, the race was over. Whilst HMS DOCKYARD’s times weren’t fast enough to secure a place in the final, the crew gave it their all and did a sterling job for a group of people that had never been in a boat together before.
As part of the 40th anniversary, the crew have competed in the 2024 race – beating their fastest time from last year by eight seconds! There is now talk of training for next year’s event - so watch this space.
I left school in 1978 and was fortunate enough to get accepted for a Dockyard apprenticeship.
I had chosen Shipwright trade because it was a good combination of trades and gave great variety.
It was hard work but I soon made friends and enjoyed the work combined with other opportunities that were offered such as Physical and Character Training Courses on Dartmoor and events like Sports Day and Annual Awards evenings.
I had run for my local club,
Steps to Victory
In May, as part of the Trust’s ongoing Health & Wellbeing programme, our staff and volunteers were encouraged to stay active by taking part in a walking challenge.
In teams of three, the aim of the challenge was to walk the equivalent distance of The Historic Dockyard Chatham to HMS VICTORY in Portsmouth over the course of the month – a distance of 97 miles or 208,000 steps.
This challenge proved to be very popular and certainly brought out a competitive streak in many participants. The clear winner
was team “CFM”, made up of Jason Shipley, Paula Welfare and Vicki Hazelhurst, clocking up an impressive 1,534,658 steps. Jason Shipley topped the individual leaderboard by some way.
Echoing the ‘who has got the best cheese plant?’ competition featured in Periscope in November 1982, the team also took part in “Good To Grow Week”, with a bean growing competition. Visitor Experience Senior Team Leader, Philly Bean, was announced as the (appropriately named) winner with a bean plant measuring a colossal 278cm.
Elliot-Reed AC (at the time) during my school days and had every intention to continue. Therefore the opportunities that the Dockyard offered helped to encourage that continuity.
When the opportunity came up, I jumped at the chances and sports days they offered. A great memory was winning the Periscope Mile race at the Garrison Ground track in Gillingham. We also were able to travel to the Civil Service Championships and Ministry of Defence Championships in London and Edinburgh.
During my Apprenticeship the decision was taken to close HM Dockyard Chatham and it soon became clear that there would be no employment beyond my Apprenticeship. Many (although not Apprentices) were offered the chance to relocate to Devonport but this was not an easy option. However, at least we were able to complete our Apprenticeship and obtain the City and Guilds Qualification.
GHOST SHIPS
This autumn, award-winning Medway-based Icon Theatre presents its latest production, Ghost Ships at The Historic Dockyard Chatham from Wednesday 25 – Saturday 28 September 2024, commemorating 40 years since the former Royal Dockyard’s closure. Featuring explosive Hip Hop dance from Olivier Award winners
ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company and powerful Kathak from Amina Khayyam Dance Company, original live music, and the choral power of a monumental community ensemble, Ghost Ships illuminates true and untold stories of the extraordinary people who built and sailed the ships of
Chatham Dockyard around the world.
Inspired by newly uncovered research from people working at the Dockyard in its final days, Ghost Ships has been made with the communities of Chatham and features an ensemble of over 150 young people, residents and professional dancers performing together live on stage.
Tickets on sale now at thedockyard.co.uk
