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 and particularly the role of gallery steward in the new "Worlds of HMS Trincomalee" exhibition where you can talk to visitors in a most pleasant environment. Please contact the Trust (01429 223193) if you would like to find out more.
• 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.

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 financial support towards two elements of the new exhibition. These are a plaque showing the main elements of the ship when viewed from the external balcony along with a computer programme that enables visitors to find out a greater detail about the exhibition content. The Friends have also given £2,000 towards the reprint of Andrew Lambert's superb book about the ship.

Currently, the Friends are helping with financial support towards the Trust’s Appeal Project by contributing the costs of the brochure and leaflets. This is very practical support in raising awareness of and contributions to the Ship.

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.

Click here to view Dates for your Diary

Advance notice: This year’s Trafalgar Night Dinner will be held on Saturday 17 October 2009. Details and ticket availability to be confirmed shortly.

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 and interpretation programmes. At present there are approximately 325 members. Do join us.

The Friends now has a Gift Card that enables the gift of Friends membership to be given to a family member, friend or colleague – for a birthday, Christmas present etc. Please consider this excellent way of supporting the Friends and the Ship. Another way of supporting is to offer your time to volunteer as a Room Steward in the new Trincomalee Exhibition. There are already a number of Friends signed-up, but we could really do with a bigger pool of volunteers for the 2009 season. Please contact the Trust office if you can help.

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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