The Mary Rose Trust helps build an adventure playground in Portsmouth

The unlikely alliance of a world-famous maritime museum and a community playground came together to build an exciting new Tudor play ship in the city. Community Officer Trevor Sapey and volunteer Laurie Arnell  of the Mary Rose Trust helped Portsea Venture Playground to build  the ship which was recently  launched with the help of Portsmouth Football Club.

‘The Great Harry’ was officially opened by John Lippiett, Chief Executive of the Mary Rose Trust, Pompey striker David Nugent and new left back Nadir Belhadj . The launch marked the end of three months of hard work co-ordinated by Ken Abbott and his staff.  The children themselves helped to make the anti-boarding netting both at the museum and the playground under the guidance of Laurie Arnell, a former rigger in Portsmouth Dockyard.

The aim of the project is for children to learn about their heritage as they play. The Great Harry was Henry VIII’s flagship when the Mary Rose sank during the Battle of the Solent in 1545.  The name is also linked with Portsmouth Football Club’s former manager, Harry Redknapp and celebrates the club winning the FA Cup in 2008.

This project builds on the community partnership between the Mary Rose Trust, Portsea Venture Playground and Portsmouth Football Club. Trevor Sapey said that ‘This is a unique on-going partnership which offers local children a wonderful opportunity to learn about Tudor maritime history. This is an important part of their heritage which they can learn about in a fun and practical way.’

21 Nov 2008