In early April 2024 the trustees of the MV Balmoral Fund Ltd, the charity which owns the classic 1949-built passenger vessel Balmoral, announced that they have been awarded £248,318 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Thanks to loyal supporters and volunteers, the ship, which is moored alongside M Shed museum in Bristol’s Floating Harbour, has been kept in “warm lay-up” since she last sailed and is open for music events, educational courses and on open days, contributing to the vitality of the harbour
The project will see the ship drydocked in the Albion Dockyard, alongside SS Great Britain, for essential repairs and anti-corrosion works to the hull.Members of Bristol’s schools and community will also be able to be inspired by Balmoral’s stories through workshops and events.
David Bassett, a trustee of the charity said: “This is wonderful news and means we can move forward in the charity’s aim of bringing the ship back into sailing condition so that she can again provide day-cruising opportunities on the Bristol Channel and further afield as she did until 2017.”
The more work that can be carried out during the drydocking, the better the chances of her returning to sailing and the charity is appealing for further donations. Details of how to do so are on their website at www.thebalmoral.org.uk/donations/.
