Tickets available for HMS Collingwood ‘open day’
By Connor Steel
HMS COLLINGWOOD have announced more information about their popular annual ‘open day‘ event due to be held the training establishment on July 1 (Saturday); the organisers looking to build upon last year’s large success as they detailed the availability for visitors to purchase their tickets for the unique family experience.
Gates will open at 9:30am and are scheduled to close at 5pm with ‘brilliant activities’ available throughout the day; including entertainment and displays aimed at capturing the interests of everyone. A particular focus will be made on giving insights into HMS Collingwood, Defence Training, Royal Navy and Armed / Public Forces.
Interactive zones are due to be created for the day and these will offer hands-on activities; whilst areas of the training establishment will also be open for exploration. This will allow visitors to view training equipment and first hand sessions where they can navigate their own ship into harbour during the Warship Bridge Simulator.
Live music is further set to feature throughout the day alongside performances from a Royal Navy Parachute Display Team; although no designated timings have been released at the time of writing. A mix of fair-ground rides have been organised to feature for little cost with other child-friendly activities located in a Kidzone site.
But the real highlight should undoubtedly be the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) Field Gun Competition; an endurance test that is due to see twenty crews battle for the Brickwoods Trophy. Crews from Cyprus and Naples will be showcasing their talent with HMS Seahawk hoping to reclaim their title from 2022.
Free parking facilities are to be offered to visitors for the day, whilst shuttle buses will run at regular intervals from Gosport to Fareham in both directions. For ‘new’ visitors HMS Collingwood is located on Newgate Lane near to Speedfields Park and has a postcode of PO141AS that can be entered into digital phones / sat navs.
Tickets are available to purchase via this secure Royal Navy website with a range of special offers, including a fee of £9 for each adult entry and £20 for a family (two Adults / 3 Children). Concessions and children entry will cost £5 although ID may be required in some cases; whilst under fives will be allowed access for no cost.
PICTURED: The field and gun competition takes place at 2022 open day, which drew crowds to Collingwood after enforced two year absence from calendars due to the Coronavirus pandemic and a resulting lockdown.
