The Port of Milford Haven and The National Museum of the Royal Navy have joined forces to promote and celebrate the Milford Haven Waterway’s rich naval and maritime heritage.
Together the two organisations hope to raise awareness and foster a greater appreciation of the important role the Milford Haven Waterway has played over the centuries. Yesterday (30th May) they celebrated their new relationship together with a selection of key local interest groups and dignitaries who all have a common interest in raising the profile of the area’s naval and maritime background.
“This exciting new collaboration with such a prestigious organisation will strengthen our promotion of the fantastic heritage attractions we have along the Milford Haven Waterway”, said Clare Stowell, Property & Tourism Director at the Port of Milford Haven. Milford Haven Museum, The Sunderland Trust and West Wales Maritime Heritage Society are just a few examples of the fascinating places where people can learn about maritime heritage on the Haven and we hope that more visitors and locals will take the opportunity to visit them. Look out for special events at these locations throughout the year.”
Tim Ash, Director of Partnerships at The National Museum of the Royal Navy, said that “The Waterway’s history is a very significant chapter in our naval and maritime heritage. The national museum is very pleased to be working with colleagues, to link that heritage with our work elsewhere and to advise on new stories and activities that might be created”.
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Photo: Clare Stowell from the Port of Milford Haven and Tim Ash from The National Museum of the Royal Navy celebrate the new collaboration
Notes to Editors
Port of Milford Haven
The Port of Milford Haven is the UK’s top energy port and Wales’ busiest port handling around 20% of Britain’s seaborne trade in oil and gas. It is widely recognised in the industry as the energy capital of the UK.
The Port, along with the cluster of energy-related businesses along the Waterway, is a key driver of economic activity in Pembrokeshire, attracting inward investment and supporting over 4,000 jobs.
The Port of Milford Haven also owns and operates Pembroke Port and Milford Dock. Activities such as cargo handling, ferry operations, fish landing and cruise calls as well as a first class marina are spread across these two sites.
One of the most prominent on the West Coast, the Port is in the heart of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain. It is marked as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and has many areas designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The Port of Milford Haven is a Trust port – an independent, commercially run organisation that has statutory responsibilities governed by its Acts, to maintain and improve navigation and the provision of Port and Harbour services and facilities. Additionally, the Port provides significant financial and in-kind support to a wide variety of local causes. All profits are retained within the business to fund these objectives.
Milford Waterfront
Milford Waterfront is a multi-million pound regeneration project being led by the Port of Milford Haven. It aims to revitalise the marina and docks into a vibrant destination, adding to the existing mix of leisure, retail and dining businesses and boosting the economy by providing long term, sustainable jobs.
A number of flagship projects have already been completed at the site including the installation of new lock gates that have significantly reduced locking times and the construction of new fishing buildings for the industry.
The new development will also celebrate the arts, culture and heritage of the area, working in partnership with key stakeholders. The Port already hosts a busy calendar of events at the marina such as Torch Theatre Sunset Cinema screenings and awards ceremonies which add to the diverse range of attractions on the waterfront.
National Museum of the Royal Navy
The National Museum of the Royal Navy was established in 2009 with amalgamation of the Royal Navy’s previously separate museums for its ships, the Royal Marines, the Fleet Air Arm, and the Submarine Service.
Ours is the epic story of the Royal Navy, its impact on Britain and the world from its origins in 625 A.D. to the present day.
Our museums include
• A £20 million project in Belfast with First World War Battle of Jutland survivor HMS Caroline at the centre of Alexandra Dock & Wharf, in the city’s popular Titanic Quarter. The five-star rated attraction now comprises the Pump House visitor centre and HMS Caroline, which are connected by a 25-metre steel and timber footbridge installed across the mouth of Alexandra Dock.
• The National Museum of the Royal Navy, Portsmouth Historic Dockyard including our newest member HMS Warrior 1860, Vice Admiral Lord Nelson’s flagship HMS Victory and First World War Gallipoli campaign survivor HMS M.33.
• The Royal Navy Submarine Museum with Cold War-era HMS Alliance and Explosion! the Museum of Naval Firepower, both in Gosport. A free water bus runs between the sites during the year.
• The Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton, Somerset, home to 103 British naval aircraft.
• The U.K’s oldest historic fighting ship still afloat, HMS Trincomalee at The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool.
• The Royal Marines Museum, the public galleries of which are currently closed. We will open a new museum in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard in 2020.
• The national museum is the principal adviser to the Royal Navy on naval heritage. Its Affiliates include HMS Unicorn (Dundee); HMS Wellington (London); HMS Medusa (Portsmouth); the Coastal Forces Heritage Trust (Portsmouth); the Haslar Heritage Group (Gosport); the D-Day Museum (Portsmouth), HMS Courageous (Devonport) and the Malta Maritime Museum.
Further information is available on www.nmrn.org.uk
For any queries please contact:
Anna Malloy
Port of Milford Haven
01646 696100
anna.malloy@mhpa.co.uk