GHOST SHIP: A PAGEANT FOR PORTSMOUTH, 28th JUNE 2009
Henry VIII was born on June 28, 1491 in Greenwich, England, he reigned
from 1509 - 1547.
To celebrate the 500th anniversary of his coronation and to mark the
huge effect he had on Portsmouth
during his reign, the Portsmouth Festivities team in conjunction
with the Walk The Plank Production company, have organised a complete
day of celebration around the City, culminating in Ghost Ship: A Pageant for
Portsmouth.
Henry VIII is widely considered one of Britain’s most important leaders,
his reign lasted nearly four decades. He was instrumental in building up
the Navy, a task started by his father Henry VII. He commissioned many new warships,
his flagship was the Mary Rose, he was responsible for the building of Southsea
Castle and had the Round Tower rebuilt to improve coastal defences and in 1540
granted the official status of Naval Dockyard.
The celebration includes a wide range of activities including music and entertainment,
historic activities and exhibitions and a procession from the Mary Rose to
Southsea Bandstand.
Event timetable:
1pm Live music and entertainment all afternoon at Southsea Bandstand.
Fabulous Folk and Sea Shanties from Kelly’s Tattoo, Bernis, Chris Ricketts,
Amalthea and juggling demonstrations & workshops with the Citrus Brothers.
Click for map.
2pm Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.
Activities and entertainment for all at the Mary Rose Museum, includes Falconry and Tudor Cooking.
Henry VIII and his court and sailors from the Mary Rose will be in attendance.
Click for map.
3.30pm Procession from Portsmouth Historic Dockyard to Southsea Bandstand.
A spectacular colourful Pageant inspired by the Tudors, with a cast of
sailors, shipwrights, flag bearers and musicians.
The procession sets off from the Mary Rose, parades through the streets
of Old Portsmouth to Southsea Bandstand.
5pm Family Picnic and Food Fair at Southsea Bandstand.
The celebration continues with entertainment and music from Saturday Night
Beaver, Tiny Spark and Hold Fast, living history and food stalls
including a Hog Roast and local ice cream.
Click for map.
10 pm Ghost Ship Spectacle at Castle Field.
A Twilight Fire Spectacle for all the family to enjoy. A cast of hundreds, a burning anchor, lighting effects and spectacular staging: parkour, dancing, music and drama with fire and fireworks celebrating the birth of the modern Navy and Henry VIII’s favourite warship.
Castle Field will be open to the public from 9 pm.
Show starts at approx 10pm and finishes at approx 10.45 pm, weather dependent. Details are subject to change.
Click for map.
For full details of all of the Portsmouth Festivies 2009, visit the Portsmouth Festivities website.
