Devonport Naval Base Heritage Centre final open day of the year is set to go off with a bang as it stages an exhibition of naval firepower past and present on Sunday (Oct 23).
Warrant Officer Ray Crockett, centre manager, said: “The centre’s final open day of 2016 promises to go off with a bang. We thought we’d better end on a high this year and offer the public the opportunity to come and see what puts the ‘war’ into warship.
"So we have invited all of our friends from around the Naval Base to come and show our visitors the sharp end of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.‘’
Various weapons systems for peace-keeping and defence of the realm roles will be on show, including bombs and bullets of the past showing development since the beginning of WW1. Royal Marines from 1 Assault Group will be bringing one of their boats and tools of the trade from past and present.
Visitors can also meet the bomb disposal teams of the Southern Diving Unit, with state-of-the-art robotic disposal equipment and Ministry of Defence Police teams with explosive-detection dogs.
Royal Navy industrial partners Babcock International will be attending with their Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) promotional team to entertain younger visitors.
Ray said: “This promises to be a great day out for all the family and not forgetting that the day is provided free of charge.’’
The attractions include:
- Royal Marines small boat specialists 1 Assault Group showing off their weapons
- Royal Navy Explosives Group,
- Babcock STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) promotional team and youngsters’ activities
- MOD Police dog section with explosive-detection dogs and German Shepherd patrol dogs
- Museum submarine Courageous tours
- Boat tours of the dockyard
- Sea Cadets drill display team
- Devon and Cornwall Police Cadets with police exhibits and finger-printing for children
- Plymouth Museum exhibit on the future museum project
- Royal Navy’s Southern Diving Unit with their explosives robot.
There are restrictions for anyone on the boat trips and the Courageous submarine tour: Only children over the age of eight are allowed on the boat trips and the minimum ratio is one adult to every child.
The minimum height for the boat trip is 4 feet. On the submnarine tours photo ID is needed for over-16s, under-16s must be accompanied by an adult and the minimum height is 4 feet.
Entry is free at Devonport Naval Base Heritage Centre, near Granby Way, follow sign at corner of Albany Street, Granby Way, Plymouth PL1 4HG.
Parking for the event is at Camel’s Head Gate with a free park and ride service to the Heritage Centre. The event is from 10am to 4pm.
Details at https:/devonportnhc.wordpress.com/whats-on/ or 01752 552326.
