Sign up, Sign up! - Join Queen Victoria’s Army at Fort Nelson this Bank Holiday - Friday, 23 April 2010
Dress up as a Victorian and head down to the Royal Armouries Museum on Sunday, May 2, and Bank Holiday Monday (May 3) for a fun-packed children’s event at Fort Nelson in Fareham.
Fancy dress is optional, but families are being urged to join the Army in the V for Victoria event – with a prize for the best Victorian costume! Don’t restrict yourself to Army gear – any Victorian theme is more than acceptable!
Children will have the chance to “sign up” for the infantry, artillery and cavalry in a series of Army-based attractions. Bring their own hobbyhorse – or borrow one of the Fort’s – and take part in madcap cavalry charges – The Charge of the Junior Brigade.
Other attractions include a butlers’ crazy assault course, whereby kids clamber across a series of obstacles, trying desperately to keep trays bearing the Colonel’s breakfast of sausages and kedgeree, intact! The programme also includes dressing-up sessions, with specially-made children’s sized Victorian-style clothes for both girls and boys alike. Parents should bring along their cameras.
Authentic Punch and Judy shows run throughout the day, as Punch enlists for the Army and takes on the Russian Tsar in the Crimean War.
The Fort will also roar to the sound of the big guns as the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers (the uniformed section of the Palmerston Forts Society) fire Victorian weapons from the ramparts at set times throughout both days.
Tickets are priced £1 for adults, £2.50 for children, or buy a family ticket for £5 (up to two adults and two children).
Fort Nelson is home to the national collection of big guns and artillery. Youngsters can see history come alive in a fun but educational way and let off steam in a stimulating environment, with plenty to entertain boys and girls alike. Families can either eat in the Fort’s café or enjoy a picnic, complete with spectacular views.
Museum entrance is free for adults and children and includes a chance to view the nation’s big gun collection, underground tunnels, and daily performances by the Fort’s resident team of actors.
For details of all forthcoming Fort Nelson events – including children’s school holiday events on Tuesdays and Thursdays – visit the website at www.royalarmouries.org
…ENDS…
Media contact
Joss Loader
Primary PR Ltd.
Tel: 07838 379599
Email: info@primarypr.co.uk
Photocall
You are invited to send a reporter and photographer/camera crew to either of these events at Fort Nelson.
Notes to editors
- The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson houses the national collection of historic cannon and big guns. The museum houses one of the world’s finest collections with over 350 cannon dating back over 600 years. The collection originated at HM Tower of London and has been on display in Hampshire since 1995.
- The Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson also tells the story of the Palmerston Forts, built to protect Portsmouth from a feared French invasion in the 1860’s.
- Every day, visitors can see one of the big guns fired in salute, watch our resident actors bring to life characters from 1,000 years of history, explore secret underground tunnels and enjoy incredible views from the ramparts. An extensive programme of special event spectaculars takes place throughout the year.
- Fort Nelson is open every day except 24-26 December. April to October 10am –5pm (Wed 11am-5pm), November – March 10.30am – 4pm (Wed 11.30-4pm).
- Admission to the Royal Armouries is FREE.
- Admission charges apply to some events.
- Information line: 01329 233734
- Website: www.royalarmouries.org
- Email: fnenquiries@armouries.org.uk
- The Royal Armouries is the national museum of arms and armour with sites at Fort Nelson, Leeds, HM Tower of London and Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
- The Royal Armouries Museum should not be confused with Royal Armouries International plc, the private sector corporate hospitality business.
Download the PDF press release.