You are here: Home > Media > Press Releases > School children pay special tribute to Lord Nelson

School children pay special tribute to Lord Nelson

Schoolchildren will pay tribute one of Britain's greatest Naval heroes by laying a specially created wreath at the Nelson Monument on Trafalgar Day (Tuesday, October 21).

The youngsters, from Bidbury Junior School in Bedhampton, Havant, have made their own poppies and created a special tribute to be laid at Nelson's monument on Portsdown Hill, opposite the Royal Armouries' Museum at Fort Nelson in Fareham.

The service, held jointly with The Nelson Society, will be conducted by a Naval Chaplain from HMS Collingwood and will include a minute's silence, honouring the 203rd anniversary of the Admiral's death at the Battle of Trafalgar. This year also marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Lord Nelson on 29 September 1758.

The party of 51 Year Five children, aged nine and 10, will visit the Fort as part of their history project to research a significant figure in the local community. Horatio, Lord Nelson, was a natural choice, due to the close proximity of his flagship, HMS Victory, at Portsmouth.

School spokeswoman Karen Becker said, "The children have already visited the Victory and we are delighted that we can mark Trafalgar Day at the Fort, on this special day. They have made poppies and we are creating a special wreath to take with us"

As well as paying tribute to Nelson at a service, followed by the wreath laying, the youngsters will also receive a talk from the Nelson Society's Jane Smith, who will explain the history of the monument and hand out information sheets.

They will then enjoy a programme of Trafalgar Day activities at the Fort, including craft sessions to make naval hats, and mock battles.

Meanwhile, the Royal Armouries is marking the day by using a uniformed crew of sailors to fire a recently restored 12-pounder gun, of the kind used on board HMS Victory.

As well as the gun firings at 12 noon and 3pm, the Fort will stage presentations marking the life of Lord Nelson, the Battle of Trafalgar and other great events in British Naval history.

Fort Operations Manager Mark Selwood said: "We wanted to mark the event as there are obvious links between the Fort and Nelson. The Fort was built to protect against possible invasion from the French at a later time and is named after his great monument on Portsdown Hill. The cannon is over 200 years old and is of the same type used on the top gun deck of the great line-of-battle ships, like HMS Victory, so, you never know, it could have seen some action at Trafalgar."

"The battle saw Nelson spectacularly defeat the French and Spanish navies, removing the threat of possible invasion of Britain - so we have much to be thankful for."

Museum entry is free and there is a whole range of attractions throughout the day, designed to appeal to young and old alike.

Note to editors:

Reporters and photographers are welcome at the wreath laying ceremony at 11am (or at the craft sessions - please ring to fix a time) Contact Joss Loader, Primary PR Ltd, telephone: 01273 388419/07838 379599.
E-mail: info@primarypr.co.uk

Notes for editors:
1. 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 and from every corner of the earth. The collection originated from HM Tower of London and has been on display in Hampshire since 1995.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Fort Nelson is open every day except 24th, 25th & 26th December. April to October 10am -5pm (Wed 11am-5pm), November - March 10.30am - 4pm (Wed 11.30-4pm).
5. Admission to the Royal Armouries is FREE although admission charges apply to some events.
6. The fort's Powderkeg Café is open seven days a week offering home-cooked Hampshire fare.
7. Information line: 01329 233734
8. Website: www.royalarmouries.org
9. Email: fnenquiries@armouries.org.uk
10. 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.