Features / The Matthew
Royal recognition for volunteers at The Matthew
Volunteers at The Matthew, Bristol’s famed replica of the ship from the 1400s, have received an award for their work.
It is clear how The Matthew means to its volunteers, through the condition of the ship, their dedication through stormy weather and their memory of the entirety of the ships’ history and the amount of time they have spent on it – one volunteer was a part of the crew when the ship was in Canada in 1998.
Captain Rick Wakeman and volunteer Ray work on The Matthew. Photo by The Matthew of Bristol
This passion to keep a 25 year legacy alive has earned the volunteers The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
is needed now More than ever
“I was absolutely thrilled to hear we’d been successful with the award,” said Ann May, volunteer coordinator for The Matthew. “The award is equivalent to an MBE, and is the highest recognition a group of volunteers can receive.”
A certificate was awarded to the the crew to be framed in their offices, or on the ship itself, by the Duke of Gloucestershire on Tuesday, July 30. A number of local dignitaries were present, including the lord lieutenant Peaches Golding, the high sheriff Charles Wyld and lord mayor Jos Clarke.
The Matthew sailed a special journey to celebrate the award. Photo by Mary J Mann
“It’s a working ship, not a museum,” said Royston Griffey, chairman of the charity and also a volunteer. “We just couldn’t operate the ship without the dedication and loyalty of our volunteers. The award is an excellent way of saying thank you for all the time and hard work that is put in.”
The charity doesn’t receive government funding and uses any donations to maintain the ship and sails with the support of 31 volunteers.
The Matthew sailed through the Floating Harbour, and through Prince Street Bridge, which was swung open for the occasion, and toward Redcliffe Wharf, where the ship was built to celebrate the award.
Read more: Two local organisations recognised with Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
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