PRESS RELEASE
Today [20 January], The Wellington Trust Board of Trustees is announcing a £225,000 grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to secure the future of HMS WELLINGTON, the last surviving dedicated Battle of the Atlantic convoy escort in the UK, moored at Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment, London.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest fought battle in the Second World War. Both the Royal and Merchant navies served together to ensure vital supplies, people and goods reached our war-stricken shores. WELLINGTON is of local, national and international importance.
WELLINGTON survives today as she was bought by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners in 1947. She was moved to Temple Stairs in 1948 and her presence today galvanises the unique relationship between the two navies and the wider maritime community.
Since April 2023, the Wellington Trust has been working on a revitalisation project and new business model to secure her physical and financial future as she was at serious risk of being lost. Without this funding from the Heritage Fund, she was at risk of being lost forever and her stories would be untold.
WELLINGTON is of local, national and international historical importance and this grant enables the Wellington Trust to accelerate the implementation of the HMS WELLINGTON revitalisation project in three key areas:
Access to the public: We plan to open the ship to the public this year so many can learn of the unique story of HMS WELLINGTON. During her service, she has been home to mascots such as a monkey and a cat. She also saved hundreds of lives during the Battle of Atlantic rescuing torpedo victims, including Indian mariners, and the entire crew and passengers from the Royal Mail Liner Highland Patriot.
Community Engagement: We plan to extend out engagement with a wide cross-section of communities that reflect WELLINGTON’s local, national and international importance. We will build on the success of our pilot visits with local community groups, such as Blind Veterans UK, as well as expanding our reach to national and international communities in Wales, Scotland. Ireland, the South Pacific and New Zealand – all of whom are part of the Wellington Story.
Business development: We will continue to develop our venue hire, workspace and film location business offer launched on 1 October. We are already attracting a lot of interest from documentary producers, award event organisers such as the Fighting with Pride Memorial Fund, and a wider range of organisations seeking a unique and private venue in Central London for their events.
This grant is critical to developing these areas as they will provide a learning opportunity for those that come onboard as well as vital self-sustaining revenue that will directly support our charitable objectives:
- Conservation and Preservation: A heritage ship afloat needs constant and specialised experts to manage the ship’s today, and to plan for her longer-term future.
- Education and Learning: Wellington has often been the first experience of being on a ship for many children and this grant will enable us to ensure the ship continues to be accessible for our popular education programme.
Chairman of the Wellington Trust, Dominic Tweddle commented on the award of this generous grant:
“We are so pleased to receive this grant from the National Heritage Lottery Fund. It means a great deal to us.
The award of this grant enables us to continue implementing the HMS WELLINGTON Revitalisation Project. Expanding access to wider communities and developing a broad range of activities onboard will ultimately lead to the Trust becoming financially self-sustaining, so we can conserve this important vessel for all to enjoy. And learn from.
There is a lot to the Wellington story, and we look forward to welcoming many more people onboard in the future, thanks to the National Lottery players.
Ends
Notes to Editors
About HMS WELLINGTON
HMS WELLINGTON was built in Devonport as a 1200-ton Grimsby Class Sloop in 1934 for Service in New Zealand and the South Pacific. She was recalled to the UK in September 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War.
WELLINGTON spent most of the Second World War conducting Battle of the Atlantic convoy duties and is credited with completing 103 convoys. She also saved hundreds of lives during the Battle of Atlantic rescuing torpedo victims, including Indian mariners, and the entire crew and passengers from the Royal Mail Liner Highland Patriot. She is also credited with rescuing over 400 lives and participating in Operation Torch and Operation Cycle.
WELLINGTON’s role in the Battle of the Atlantic directly contributed to her presence in London today. Her wartime service was the seed that grew into the strong affinity and relationship WELLINGTON has enjoyed with the Merchant Navy. She has been a well-known riverscape icon on the Thames since her arrival in December 1948 by the Honourable Company of Master Mariners (HCMM).
WELLINGTON is owned by the Wellington Trust, Registered Charity 1109066 and is listed on the National Historic Ships Register. www.thewellingtontrust.org.
About The National Lottery Heritage Fund
Our vision is for heritage to be valued, cared for and sustained for everyone, now and in the future. That’s why as the largest funder for the UK’s heritage we are dedicated to supporting projects that connect people and communities to heritage, as set out in our strategic plan, Heritage 2033. Heritage can be anything from the past that people value and want to pass on to future generations. We believe in the power of heritage to ignite the imagination, offer joy and inspiration, and to build pride in place and connection to the past.
Over the next 10 years, we aim to invest £3.6billion raised for good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people, places and communities.
Follow @HeritageFundUK on Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and use #NationalLottery #HeritageFund
Further information
Please contact the Wellington Trust Vice Chairman Sheena Thomson sheena@sheenathomson.com
