Biggest boys’ toys are rolled out for Fathers’ Day! - Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Image: Sexton – Second World War self-propelled gun: © Board of Trustees of Armouries 2010 – Click to download.
Make Fathers’ Day go with a bang – and witness the power and might of the Royal Armouries’ biggest guns – by enjoying a free day out at Fort Nelson, on Sunday (June 20).
Museum staff are set to roll out the “biggest boys’ toys” to mark the special day, including the Sexton – a Second World War self-propelled gun. Belching smoke and with an impressive roar, the tank-like vehicle will go through its paces throughout the day – driving and firing. There’s a chance as well for dads to climb into the wartime giant and pose for photos, at the controls, with their children.
A detachment of uniformed, Victorian-style gunners will also fire the museum’s biggest weapon stationed there during the 19th Century – a 110-pounder, 7-inch, Armstrong breech-loading gun. The gunners will be made up of members of the Portsdown Artillery Volunteers, the uniformed section of the Palmerston Forts Society.
Fort operations manager Mark Selwood said, “This is a great chance to bring your fathers along to witness the power and might of some of the biggest guns in the national collection, which is housed here at Fort Nelson. The Sexton is always a great spectacle, roaring and clanking around the arena, and the Armstrong gun will be fired just as it was 150 years ago. Admission is absolutely free and it’s a fantastic day out for all the family”.
Other Fathers’ Day events include performances by uniformed actors and special guided museum tours throughout the day, all with a Victorian theme.
For details of all the Royal Armouries’ Dangerously Entertaining programme of exciting events, visit www.royalarmouries.org
…ENDS…
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.
Media contact
Joss Loader
Primary PR Ltd.
Tel: 07838 379599
Email: info@primarypr.co.uk
Download the PDF press release.