The Friends of HMS Trincomalee is a voluntary non-profit making body that exists to support the restoration, conservation and presentation of HMS Trincomalee as a priceless example of Britain’s Maritime Heritage. The Chairman of the Friends is Ian Purdy, who had been the Secretary of the Friends since its inception. The Secretary of the Friends is Ruth Turner. The Friends is a recently formed charity, number 1117790.

By joining the Friends you will be in the company of like-minded people, keen to support and be associated with HMS Trincomalee. Here are just some of the reasons for joining:

• Enjoy unlimited free entry to HMS Trincomalee and all the facilities at Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience for one year during normal opening times;
• Receive the Friends’ lively magazine ‘Quarterdeck’ three times a year;
• Treat yourself to a 10% discount in the Trust’s ShipShop;
• Attend the regular talks, presentations and events that are held on board;
• Consider a voluntary activity such as talking to visitors on board or in the new Trincomalee Exhibition – once opened in early summer 2008 - or manning a stand to encourage further membership.
• Above all, know that your membership, wherever you live, is positively contributing to the well-being of HMS Trincomalee

Direct help to the Trust and the Ship

The Friends have made a number of commitments to support recent and current projects within the Ship, and have achieved this through donation of their own funds and through applying for grants from external sources.

An excellent example has been the important contribution towards the start-up costs of a new Deckplan History, which is now a popular sales item amongst visitors to the Ship. This publication is a colourful guide to the Ship that can be used by visitors to highlight the main features as they tour the decks, but it also has a concise history that puts things into context. At just £2.00 it is a good-value and practical memento.

The Friends have also supplied a model of the Ship which at present is displayed on the Mess Deck, and this, once again, helps interpretation.

More recently the Friends have given £1,000 towards the replacement of the ropes for the gun carriages situated on the Upper Deck. The work has been completed and it all looks fine! In addition, the Friends provided a loan to the Trust’s new Enterprise Company to help with the short-term start-up costs, which has been repaid, and it is this sort of immediate practical help that is so useful from time to time.

Events and Talks

The Friends organise a programme of talks throughout the autumn to spring period, together with other events and activities from time to time. The talks, which take place in the Captain’s Cabin, begin at 7pm and are free to Friends – non Friends are charged just £1.00 – and there is always a raffle! Coffee and biscuits are served on the Gun Deck after the talks, which is a great time for a chat.

Dates for your Diary

27 February 2008 – 7pm, Captain’s Cabin. Talk by Captain Sandy Kinghorn – ‘Building the heavy lift ship Australia Star in Sunderland 1965’.

12 March 2008 – 7pm, Captain’s Cabin. AGM of the Friends followed by an entertaining and informative talk by Captain Richard Woodman titled ‘A Maverick Sailor’. Richard has wide experience within Trinity House, as an accomplished and popular maritime author, and with involvement in the National Historic Ships Committee. An event not to be missed!

23 April 2008 – 7pm, Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience. A look round the new Trincomalee Exhibition led by Bryn Hughes.

14 June 2008 – 6pm, on board HMS Trincomalee. ‘Midsummer Madness’. The annual summer event. Details to follow.

18 October 2008 – 6.30pm, on board HMS Trincomalee. Trafalgar Night Dinner. The annual black tie event with ceremonial, entertainment, a grand dinner on the Mess deck and speeches. Hosted in conjunction with the HMS Trincomalee Trust, and the Conway, Worcester, Pangbourne Associates. Tickets - £36.00 [tbc] available in the summer.

Expanding the Friends

The Committee of the Friends is keen to expand the membership base, particularly in the North East and amongst those many people from all over the country who so fondly remember the Ship in her training days as TS Foudroyant in Portsmouth. Thousands of young people spent a week on board during their formative years, and if you have not seen the Ship since then, you will be overjoyed by the results of the massive restoration programme! At present there are approximately 300 members. Do join us.

Joining the Friends

Joining the Friends could not be easier! Please print out and complete the form [see link below], tick for Gift Aid, and send it together with your annual subscription payment made payable to ‘HMS Trincomalee Trust’ to:

The Friends of HMS Trincomalee
P O Box 1817
HARTLEPOOL
TS24 7YE

A Standing Order option is also available. If you have any questions about the Friends, please contact the Trust office in the first instance on 01429 223193 or email: office@hms-trincomalee.co.uk

Application Form
Please print out the form linked below (it will open into a new window) or alternatively call the Trust office and we will send a form.

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