Princess Royal Opens New Road Bearing Her Name Meet the Waterfront Team
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The Official Magazine ofTEAM PORTSMOUTH Issue 2 Summer 2011 Commodore Rupert Wallace Speaks frankly about what lies ahead for the Portsmouth Flotilla Meet the Waterfront Team Restoration work begins on the oldest ship in the fleet The latest news from HMS Victory Behind the scenes – when America came to Portsmouth Naval Base Find out what happened when the world’s largest warship came to visit Princess Royal opens new road bearing her name JACK SNACKS // MY JOB // HERITAGE // COMPETITION // Full Page advertising Welcome Introductions and Welcome welcome Naval Base Commander Portsmouth Commodore Rob Thompson, RN Looking Ahead I am proud to report that your reputation for opening your your credit that you go about your business sensitively and arms to an ever increasing number of visitors is becoming a with no fuss ensuring that your “customers” remain your signature theme for “Team Portsmouth”. focus no matter the other challenges placed upon us in these straightened times. We were chosen to have the honour of hosting the United States Navy’s newest and mightiest aircraft carrier; “George H It would be remiss of me not to recognise these challenges W Bush”, for her first ever foreign visit. Those of you fortunate to all of us – as the Defence Reform Unit reports on overdue enough to have toured her will have been struck, as I, by the reduction in our overheads. This uncertainty on how genuinely awesome power she projects seemingly effortlessly challenging reduction targets will be meted out across DE&S – roll on the arrival of our very own Queen Elizabeth Class is unsettling for all but what I am confident about is that soon. “delivery” can only be made at the Waterfront. Therefore, the need for our outputs is enduring and that will underpin our I daily receive thank you letters from people from all walks strategy for our future in the near, medium and longer term. of life who have been touched by the welcome they have received from the base, or indeed support from our people Finally, I know that you would wish me to thank, and wish him on the base. A lot of this is done unseen and unheralded by well for the future, Captain Paul Lemkes Royal Navy - Captain many of you in a formal or informal or even a voluntary role. of the Base, as he moves on to be Defence Attaché in Madrid, I would like to give a public “thank you” to you all as the for his vibrant and positive leadership over the last few years. bereaved, relieved and joyous take “comfort and joy” from I hope you enjoy reading about the activities and your support. achievements of all your friends and colleagues. Have an The web of support services found within this Base makes enjoyable summer break whenever you have the opportunity. things happen for many at times of need and crisis. It is to .............. Shoreside 3 Contents Summer 2011 Shoreside is published quarterly and is a collaborative publication produced by the member organisations of TEAM PORTSMOUTH. The printing cost of this magazine is generated through advertising 3 Welcome and Intro Welcome to this edition of Shoreside from contents Naval Base Commander Commodore Rob Thompson Princess Royal opens Trafalgar Gate Link Road 6 Look Ahead The new link road off the M275 Check out forthcoming events in and around gained the royal seal of approval at Portsmouth Naval Base a recent ceremony and now bears the name of the Princess Royal. 12 Base Review For the full report and pictures See Look back at what’s been going on at Page 8 Portsmouth Naval Base in the past few months 14 Welcome to HMS Diamond Shoreside welcomes the latest Type 45 to be commissioned into the fleet 8 16 Historic Review Find out more about the intricate work Rupert Wallace - Comporflot involved in building the new Mary Rose Find out what Commodore Museum Wallace’s role involves and how he sees the Portsmouth Flotilla 22 Interview Rupert Wallace responding to pressure in the Meet Rupert Wallace, Commodore of face of demanding schedules and the Portsmouth Flotilla On the Cover increased workloads. 24 Fleet Snapshot And in the Chit-Chat feature Find out the latest about the Portsmouth discover more about the man Flotilla behind the title. See Page 22/23 26 HMS Victory Restoration work is now underway on the 22 oldest ship in the Royal Navy On the Cover 28 Global Reach of Logistics QE Class Update Find out more about the operation Read the latest news on the that involves 30,000 customers a year progress being made with the building of the Queen Elizabeth Class carrier, with updates from 30 HMS Edinburgh Trial A recent trial is set to revolutionise Portsmouth including the latest spectacular photos. See pages the way Fleet Time Support is carried out 32/33 32 Carrier Update Catch-up with the latest news on the QE Class carriers and the work going on in Portsmouth 32 34 Heritage Field Gun It takes more than sheer muscle power to be Waterfront Team part of Field Gun Crew It’s a real team effort keeping the base’s docks and jetties 37 Support Units in Action prepared for the daily arrivals and Find out what’s involved in keeping RN ships departures at one of the UK’s at sea across the world busiest ports. See Page 38 38 Waterfront Team Waterfront operations at one of the UK’s busiest ports On the Cover 40 Me & My Job 38 Meet Sally Jones and Lewis Mihell .............. 4 Shoreside Credits Contributors / Magazine TRAVELLING around Portsmouth Naval Base meeting new people to interview for the pages of this magazine, I never cease to be amazed by the sheer scope of what goes on behind the perimeter walls. Soft Services manager Kris Fitzjohn summed it perfectly when she described the base as a ‘town within a city.’ Her role is to ensure everything from cleaning, waste removal, landscaping and the Pay as You Dine contract run like clockwork – all essential to the smooth-running of the base (Page 36). It’s easy to take for granted all the work that goes on keeping the waterside safe and running efficiently. But an interview with Waterside Manager David Pace put the spotlight on the teamwork and vital roles played by everyone on a daily basis (Page 38). With so much going on, it guarantees there is always plenty to write about for Shoreside – I hope you enjoy reading about it. Kate Thompson Editor. 1/2 Page advertising Photos/Images Julian Hickman www.1blueharbour.com RN Fleet Photographic Unit (P) The News, Portsmouth www.defenceimages.mod.uk Steve Wallace and Claire Williamson Design & Advertising Lance Publishing Ltd 1st Floor, Tailby House, Bath Rd, Kettering, NN16 8NL Tel: 01536 512624 Sales: Christina Mclean www.lancepublishing.co.uk Printed by Lance Print Ltd Shoreside is published quarterly. Next copy deadline is end of August 2011 All contributions and correspondence should be sent - preferably by email - to: The Editor, Shoreside Magazine, Room 222, Naval Base HQ, Victory Building, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, PO1 3LS Email: [email protected] All contributions are included at the Editor’s discretion. View all back issues of Shoreside at: www.teamportsmouth.com/publications Front Cover Image - USS George WH Bush Courtesy of The News Portsmouth Shoreside Magazine is published quarterly and is a collaborative publication produced by the TEAM PORTSMOUTH. .............. Shoreside 5 Look Ahead NEW TAKE ON OLD NMRN collections. The nine TREASURES AT THE artists (Linda Baker, Anita Bruce, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF Jan Byrne, Zannah Cooper, Mel THE ROYAL NAVY Day, Sandra Hurll, Julieanne Long, Batool Showghi and HMS DRAGON – THE IN an exciting new collaboration Helen Snell) have reinterpreted ROYAL NAVY’S LATEST between the National Museum of the collections exploring TYPE 45 DESTROYER the Royal Navy (NMRN) and nine themes of courage, hardship, - WILL MAKE HER artists, New, Found Treasures FIRST ENTRY INTO remembrance, love, freedom and is an exhibition presenting PORTSMOUTH IN reconciliation. new works interspersed with AUGUST. From fine art ceramics to laser treasures found in the museum. SHE is the fourth of six Type 45 cut models, wire sculptures, The artworks are to celebrate destroyers being built for the mixed media photography art 100 years of collecting and will Royal Navy. All six are scheduled books and textiles, New, Found encourage visitors to engage with to be in service by the Treasures will showcase the the collections in ways they may middle of this collections as an on-going, ever- never have done before. decade and changing source of inspiration. Professional artists and master will be based in Exhibition runs until December. craftsmen are exhibiting dazzling Portsmouth. new treasures inspired by the She is the latest in an illustrious SUMMER FUN AT THE bowls, ‘float a boat’, face painting, line of ships HISTORIC DOCKYARD the traditional game of uckers bearing the and other naval favourites from name of CELEBRATING 150 years of throughout the ages. Dragon. service, HMS Warrior 1860 will The first be having fun at the Victorian Plus, for the older members of the was a 140 seaside with thirty officers and family there is the opportunity to ton three crew on-board for a weekend of see ‘Tokyo Rose’ with her Pacific masted ship naval traditions on Saturday July war game in the Victory Gallery. dating back to 30th and Sunday July July 31 EVERY Thursday in August, HMS 1546. from 10am - 4.30pm. Victory will be the focus for fun There will be seaside activities inspired by traditional entertainment including sea sailor crafts and pastimes from songs, knot tying, street knots and ropes, make do and entertainers, Punch & Judy show, mend, and scrimshaw carvings – games & pastimes plus children’s there will even be an opportunity activities and workshops.