RRS Discovery Masts and Rigging Conservation Project

From Gill Poulter, Heritage and Exhibitions Director at Dundee Heritage Trust :

 

I need your help to try and raise funds for a really important conservation project that’s taking place on our lovely ship.

 

Dundee Heritage Trust is undertaking an essential project focused on Discovery’s masts and rigging which will involve the ship being partially de-masted.  The work will take place off-site at the yard of master shipbuilder Tommi Neilson of Gloucester who specialises in the conservation of historic ships. The project commenced on 1 November 2016 and it is hoped the masts and rigging can be reinstated by June of next year.

 

The total project cost is £350,000 and we are hoping to generate £40,000 towards the project via a crowdfunding public appeal.

 

This appeal is being supported by our Patron TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and we want to spread the word to as many people as possible in order to achieve our target as we only have a few weeks to do this.

 

The link to the crowdfunding site is here.

This contains more information about the project and details of the range of rewards available to people who contribute, depending on the size of their donation.

Penguins upgrade!

I have received a complaint that the penguins statues outside Discovery Point are in need of being spruced up.    I asked Dundee Heritage Trust who own them if they could have some work done to improve things.

The Heritage Trust has responded positively as follows :

“The penguins are indeed the responsibility of Dundee Heritage Trust.

Due to the severe weather in the winter the penguins paint coatings have suffered serious damage and are need of a complete rub down and repainting.  This work has now started and can only be completed when the weather   conditions to allow for the paints to cure correctly.

We are as concerned as your complainer about the state of the penguins and will complete the work as soon as possible.”

As can be seen from the photo (above right) taken last night, painting has already started.