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In maritime film-making, anything is possible… when you’re called by Jacquie Shaw, Head of Press at the National Museum of the Royal Navy, and told “You’re going to like this!” , you’re all ears…and in this case, all enthusiasm and excitement. Because what Jacquie offered was the chance to make a film that was a once in a lifetime opportunity: the recreation of the fabulous ‘Chelengk’ jewel (picture) given to Admiral Nelson by Sultan Selim III of Turkey as a reward for his stunning victory over the French navy at the Battle of the Nile in 1798; a victory that completely killed off Napoleon’s bid to grab Egypt from the Sultan’s Ottoman Empire. The jewel had a chequered history after Nelson’s death at Trafalgar. Now came its recreation, in all its diamond-studded glory! And we were tasked to film it.

Let’s hear it for one of our presenters – Martin Muncaster. Seen here green-screen working with Andy Jones on a CHIRP news bulletin, he’s a delight to work with; product of a generation of national BBC broadcasters for whom celebrity was a small thing – clarity and concision were all. Martin also presented in the South from Southampton for many years, becoming a familiar figure to South Coast audiences. We came together through the annual Maritime Media Awards of our parent organization, the Maritime Foundation. He’s presented several keynote films with us for the Awards, and his distinctive voice and authoritative yet engaging style really make our movies. As does his skill in delivering the news bulletins for CHIRP, where accuracy and clarity of delivery are vital to the understanding of complex maritime events. We’re so lucky he’s on the team!

One of the partners in the Shipshape Heritage Training Partnership course is the Pioneer Sailing Trust, based at Brightlingsea in Essex. As well as teaching sail training the traditional way, they also revive traditional boat building methods (but they do allow themselves modern tools!) Here (picture) they’re working on a Colchester inshore oyster boat, which was an utter wreck when they took it on, but is now a thing of beauty, reflecting the painstaking work done to restore her. Accommodation will be in the former oyster hold (mind your head!) But Pioneer go well beyond all that – making it their mission to work with young people to bring term the skills – and the joy – of sailing. They also help young people troubled by difficult lives. The sea can be a great healer and Pioneer work to show just how…

Working with Copia Productions, video editor Andy Jones’ company, our film about the recovery of HMS Hood’s ship’s bell is online, available at https://www.maritimefilmsuk.tv/films/ – and on the website of the National Museum of the Royal Navy. Andy has done yet another brilliant job editing a gripping and inspiring documentary about the 20 years of commitment it took to bring the bell back to the surface – and to the iconic warship’s home port of Portsmouth, where it’s currently in the Museum’s Battle of Jutland exhibition. ‘For Years Unseen’ (the title comes from a moving poem by Bee Kenchington, who lost her brother in Hood) has a contemporary hero: the extraordinary undersea search expert David Mearns. Over the years, working with him has been a real privilege. Keep a look out for his autobiography, ‘’The Shipwreck Hunter’ – an extraordinary life-story.

A day trip to Dover to film Catherine Holt, alumna of the Shipshape Heritage Training Partnership course – now in a key heritage job; not on the sea, but certainly near it. She’s won the post of Assistant Curator at the Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment and Queen’s Regiment Museum in Dover Castle. Spectacular location and name! Maritime Films UK first filmed Cat for our first Shipshape Heritage Training Partnership film. Then she was at Chatham Historic Dockyard working on some important artefacts in a deep cellar – now she’s well and truly well placed, looking after day-to-day operations in the ‘P W R R’ and Queen’s Regiment museum. It’s at the top of the castle complex, so spectacular views over the Channel literally go with the territory. As does a steep climb up a long road – car or taxi recommended.

OK, well the name Cutty Sark is down to Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns. One of his great creations was Tam O’Shanter. In the tale told by Burns in verse, Tam was on his way back home after a convivial evening, when he witnessed witches dancing in a graveyard (the way they did, y’know.) They were scantily clad, with their shirts barely covering what, ahem, should be covered. After watching this stimulating sight for a while, Tam’s “creamy ales” got the better of him, and he cried out “Weel done, Cutty-sark!” At which the witches stopped their dance and ran screeching towards him. Tam spurrred away his horse Maggie and made his escape, but not before one of the witches managed to tear the end off poor Maggie’s tail. Which is what (picture) the figurehead witch has in her hand!