Volunteers needed to
help get the big guns firing at Fort Nelson
The
Society that re-enacts the firing of the Victorian guns at Fort Nelson on Ports
down Hill are looking to recruit new volunteers to help both fire and maintain
the mighty Victorian guns.
Fort
Nelson, on top of Portsdown Hill, was built in the 1860s to defend Portsmouth
from attack, and whilst it never fired its guns in anger, they have been
regularly fired in recent years by the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers, becoming
an exciting attraction at the fort until silenced by the pandemic. But now new
volunteers are urgently needed to come forward to train over the winter and get
ready to fire these guns again in 2024.
Graham, the co-ordinator
of the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers has been volunteering for over 30 years
and says it's an amazing and fulfilling experience:
"This is a unique
opportunity to fire the big guns at Fort Nelson. When we dress in our period
uniforms and carry out authentic gun drill you get a real understanding of what
life at the fort must have been like 150 years ago. ”
“New volunteers are
needed to join the current established team to allow us to move forward again;
otherwise, these guns will sadly remain silent. That would be a great loss as we
believe that only by seeing the living history, we recreate by bringing the guns
back in to action can visitors understand the full history of the Fort”.
Mike a fellow volunteer
added:
“You need to be over 18
and up for the physical challenge as these guns are heavy and need a lot of
teamwork to fire - but it’s exhilarating and very worthwhile. No specialist
knowledge is required, and uniforms and training are provided. You just need to
be willing to give your time to be part of this great team.”
If you are interested in
joining the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers and demonstrating this forgotten part
of Britain’s history, you can contact the team at
enquiries@palmerstonfortssociety.org.uk or you can talk to some of the
volunteers at their Fort Nelson open day between 10am and 4pm on Sunday 22nd
October.
[Contact: Graham Walters / Portsdown Artillery
Volunteers co-ordinator /
enquiries@palmerstonfortssociety.org.uk