This year’s Model Boat Weekend at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard on Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th September will be free to enjoy and also includes a unique opportunity to visit a model boat exhibition in the Princess Royal Gallery.
 
There will be a number of unmissable events and displays on the Mast Pond throughout this weekend long event. The Mast Pond is a key archaeological feature of the dockyard dating back to 1665. It is a perfect setting for a display of this kind as it carries its own history, having played many roles in the working dockyard at a time when it was the world centre for mast making.
 
A number of exciting exhibits have been announced which includes a Boathouse 4 Exhibition open from 10am – 5.30pm, featuring the Portsmouth Model Boat Display Team, Portsmouth & District Model Power Boat Club and the Surface Warship Association to name just a few.
 
At 11am there will be a Mine sweeping display by Portsmouth Model Boat Display Team with a commentary and at 1pm there will be a unique Battle of Trafalgar display by Portsmouth Model Display Team with a commentary. This will be complete with explosions and smoke to commemorate Admiral Lord Nelson’s 250th Birthday.
 
Afternoon events on the Mast Pond include a Model Boat Display at 2.15pm presented by the Portsmouth & District Model Power Boat Club and at 3pm there will be a Miniature Fleet Review by Surface Warship Association with a commentary.
 
Visitors will be given a unique opportunity to view the Royal Naval Museum’s Model Boat exhibition in the Princess Royal Gallery of the Royal Naval Museum between 12noon and 3pm. There will be a selection of ship models which are normally hidden from public view.
 
All of these exciting activities are FREE of charge, however if you wanted to visit any of the other attractions on site, you will require a valid attraction ticket which can be purchased from the Visitor Centre on the day of the event. . An Annual Admission Ticket is available for one year with unlimited entry to Action Stations, HMS Warrior 1860 and Royal Naval Museum and valid for one entry to HMS Victory, Mary Rose Museum and Ship Hall and Harbour Tours. It is priced at £18.50 adult, £16.50 senior, £14.00 child and £51.50 family (up to 5 members of the same family, maximum 2 adults/seniors). A Gift Aid Annual Admission ticket and single attraction tickets are also available.

There’s a new kick start for hands-on visitor attraction ‘Action Stations’ at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard as it welcomes its latest exhibit ‘3 Kick’.
 
‘3 Kick’ is a novel interactive exhibit that can be used as a reaction game, a competitive sport or simply as an enjoyable way to work out. It features a 10ft. diameter steel ring with three 6ft. posts around it, each of which incorporates three combat pads positioned at different heights.
 
The aim is to hit or kick the illuminated pad on one of the posts which will light up in a random sequence. All hits and kicks are tallied on the computerised score keeper as the game proceeds and a final score for each player is displayed at the end of each round.
 
‘3 Kick’ moves as quickly as the player and is therefore suitable for beginners and advanced participants and can be enjoyed by up to three players at the same time. It provides fun and entertainment as well as a physical challenge for all.
 
General Manager Frank Nowosielski commented: “it’s important to keep investing in interactive exhibits. 3 Kick adds an extra punch to our existing portfolio which includes over 30 interactive displays, a 19 seater simulator ride and a 28ft vertical climbing tower.”
 
Action Stations is just one of six landmark attractions that can be enjoyed at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. These include three of the world’s most famous warships ever built, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior 1860 and the Mary Rose, the UK’s leading maritime museum the Royal Naval Museum and Harbour Tours
 
An Annual Admission Ticket is available for one year with unlimited entry to Action Stations, HMS Warrior 1860 and Royal Naval Museum and valid for one entry to HMS Victory, Mary Rose Museum and Ship Hall and Harbour Tours. It is priced at £18.50 adult, £16.50 senior, £14.00 child and £51.50 family (up to 5 members of the same family, maximum 2 adults/seniors). A Gift Aid Annual Admission ticket and single attraction tickets are also available. For further information on visiting please telephone 02392 839 766 or visit www.historicdockyard.co.uk .
 

The year 2009 marks a number of significant anniversaries highlighting the Royal Navy’s lasting impression on the nation.
 
From the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s coronation and ordering the building of his favourite warship Mary Rose, to the laying of the keel – one hundred years apart – of HMS Victory in 1759 and HMS Warrior 1860 in 1859, the year is peppered with Naval-inspired events.
HMS Victory remains the most famous warship in the world and had an illustrious career, culminating in leading the fleet to victory at Trafalgar.  Her keel was laid in 1759, the year commonly dubbed Annus Mirabilis or ‘wonderful year’ because Britain won a remarkable series of victories, the greatest of which was Wolfe’s capture of Quebec.   It is likely this is why she is named Victory.

One hundred years later the keel of HMS Warrior 1860 was laid at the Thames Ironworks.  Renowned for never firing a shot in anger, she ruled the waves for a decade.

Visitors can board both ships and discover everything about living and working on these formidable fighting machines. 

Henry VIII remains one of the most significant kings and historic figures in the UK.  There will be a full programme of events to mark the 500th anniversary of his coronation and the ordering of his favourite warship the Mary Rose. The ship was famously raised from the Solent in 1982 and is now on display at the Historic Dockyard along with an unrivalled collection of Tudor artefacts.

Amongst the celebrations are plans for a Mary Rose-inspired pageant; the display of a facsimile of a letter written by Henry VIII ordering the building of the ship and a one-day lecture focusing on the inimitable monarch.

With preparatory work underway on the new Mary Rose Museum due to open in 2012, visitors will be urged to make the most of visiting the ship in the ship hall next year before autumn when it is withdrawn from public view in anticipation of construction work.
 
During the period of museum construction the ship will be interpreted in various ways so visitors can still enjoy a full and interesting visit to the Mary Rose Museum which remains fully open throughout.
Also celebrating its 250th anniversary is the famous song of praise "Heart of Oak.” Penned by the most famous actor of his time, David Garrick, the anthem is the official march of the Royal Navy and visitors can be assured that the anthem will be performed during the year.

Veterans Day in June will focus on the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of World War 2 and the centenary of the Fleet Air Arm.  Portsmouth’s Royal Dockyard played a monumental role in defending the nation’s shores. The Royal Naval Museum features a rich collection of artefacts and personal reflections of the conflict as part of its fascinating journey through 500 years of naval history.

Other key events taking place during 2009 at the Historic Dockyard include:
·         The continuation of the joint group package between Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the other leading Portsmouth visitor attraction the Spinnaker Tower.  The scheme, which accounts for almost 10% of the group sales at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, is available with a standard admission ticket to the Historic Dockyard, which includes entry to all the attractions on site and must be pre-booked.
·         A return of the popular Celebration of Steam (date to be confirmed.)  This popular event returns with a large display of steam engines, locomotives, model railways.
·         A provisional date for A Victorian Festival of Christmas has been set for 27th – 29th November (t.b.c). Group rates and accommodation offers are available.
·         Plans will be announced shortly for a multi-period re-enactment event based on the successful Dockyard 800, capturing and interpreting 800 years of history at the Royal Dockyard.
 
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is home to three of the most important ships ever built, Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior 1860.  Also on site is the Royal Naval Museum and Action Stations.  The Royal Naval Museum is one of Britain’s leading maritime museums and the only museum devoted to the ships of the Royal Navy and the men and women who served in them.  Action Stations challenges visitors to test their bravery, strength, skill and brain power against interactive displays and simulators and learn about the technology behind the modern navy.
 
Portsmouth Historic Dockyard opens at 10:00am daily.  An Annual Admission Ticket is available for one year with unlimited entry to Action Stations, HMS Warrior 1860 and Royal Naval Museum and valid for one entry to HMS Victory, Mary Rose Museum and Ship Hall and Harbour Tours. It is priced at £18.50 adult, £16.50 senior, £14.00 child and £51.50 family (up to 5 members of the same family, maximum 2 adults/seniors). A Gift Aid Annual Admission ticket and single attraction tickets are also available. Visitors are welcome to visit the shops, restaurants and cafes without charge, except during special events. Please visit www.historicdockyard.co.uk    for more information on attractions, prices and events.