25th Anniversary of the Raising of the Mary Rose celebrated with battefield tours
The Mary Rose Trust will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the raising of the Mary Rose in July and the day will include a memorial service, tour on foot and a tour on water, commemorating the story of the Mary Rose’s final moments before sinking off Portsmouth in 1545.
The commemorations will begin with a poignant memorial service taking place at St Thomas's Cathedral, Old Portsmouth on 15th July 2007 from 11.00am - 12.15pm. The Purbrook Archers will be holding a vigil in costume over the grave stone of one of the sailors from the Mary Rose during the service. No ticket is required.
Following the service there will be a walking tour departing from St Thomas's Cathedral. Battlefield Tour by Foot will be a themed walk around Henry VIII’s Portsea to see scenes of the sinking of the Mary Rose, including a tour of Southsea Castle where there will be an archery display by the Purbrook Archers. Tickets cost £10.00 person.
A rare opportunity to view the wreck site up close is also available in a Battlefield Tour by Sea on Tuesday 19th July from 5.00pm – 7.15pm. This boat cruise will be leaving from a jetty at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, visiting the sights of the Battle of the Solent. There will be a commentary about the 1545 battle as the boat sails out to the wreck site. A wreath will then be laid on the site to commemorate the sinking, followed by the Purbrook Archers firing arrows. In addition, a new book, ‘The Warship Mary Rose’ will be launched and the author David Childs will be signing copies.
Cost of the ticket for the boat cruise includes a glass of wine to toast the site, there is also a bar available on board to purchase drinks. Tickets cost £15.00 per person and all proceeds to this and the Battlefield Tour by Foot go to The Mary Rose Trust.
Participants to these events will have the opportunity to enter a draw for a full size colour tinted reproduction of the panoramic Cowdray engraving depicting the scene of the sinking in 1545.
Tickets for both tours are available from The Mary Rose Trust direct. To book telephone 023 9275 0521.
