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Prince Michael of Kent opens New Ropery Gallery

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His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent, Patron of the Chatham Historic Dockyard Volunteer Service visited The Historic Dockyard on Friday 18th July to officially open the New Ropery Experience and to view some of the projects that the Volunteers have been involved with. He was treated to a brand new guided tour of the Victorian Ropery gallery and even helped to make his own piece of rope on the original ropewalk.

Richard Holdsworth, Museum and Heritage Director said; “The Ropery is the highlight of the day for many of our visitors here at The Historic Dockyard Chatham and this interesting new gallery is brought to life by entertaining guides and is designed to help visitors understand more clearly the rope making process and its importance in shipbuilding during the Age of Sail. The tour culminates with a dramatic reveal of the remarkable ¼ mile long ropewalk on which rope is still made today using traditional methods dating back to 1816 – I think that His Royal Highness was impressed!”

HRH Prince Michael then went to No. 3 Covered Slip which has recently opened as ‘3 Slip – The BIG Store’ to view some of the work which the volunteers have worked on over the past year. Alan Bates, Chairman of CHDVS said; “Our volunteers have an incredible range of expertise and skills, some of which have taken a lifetime to acquire and there are other volunteers who are prepared to learn new skills that will enable them to carry out some of the very complex projects that they have been tasked with.”

Their President Captain Mike Hare said, “HRH Prince Michael has been very enthusiastic and shows great interest in the work of both CHDVS and also the role of Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust, which is responsible for the 80 acre Historic Dockyard as a visitor attraction and monument to our naval heritage.”

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For further press information, please contact Gail Louise James on 01634 823813 or email gjames@chdt.org.uk


Editors Note:
Prince Michael has been Patron of Chatham Historic Dockyard Volunteer Service (CHDVS) for the last 14 years, when the Volunteer group was first formed from the outgoing Royal Naval Auxiliary Service, disbanded by the Ministry of Defence in 1993. The CHDVS currently has 55 members of all ages and carry out tasks that Chatham Historic Dockyard Trust require support with. The projects range from the repair, restoration and maintenance of large and small marine artefacts, military vehicles, a Dragonfly helicopter and general support during large events that take place at the Dockyard throughout the year. Volunteers spend as much time at the Dockyard as their work or private commitments permit and work on projects that suit their ability or that are totally different from their day job.

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