News 2007-08
December 08 Brian, Paul and Janet represented 'Friends' at a meeting with Dr Roger Bowdler of English Heritage on the banks at Purton. Dr Bowdler spent time walking the area and has promised to return with colleagues. Since the visit another vessel has been attacked with graffiti. November 08 Friends of Purton inaugural meeting held to elect Committee. Mr Brian Humphreys elected Chairman. Brian discovered his links to Purton and the River Severn through his family history research. He has a special interest in Melbourne Knight, his Grandfather, who worked the river on vessels including The Sarah. A full Committee was formed and a draft constitution agreed. Friends make second splash at awards The Purton Hulks have once again received national recognition at the Nautical Archaeological Society’s Annual Conference in Portsmouth. This comes with the recently formed Friends of Purton, being presented with the acclaimed Certificate of Merit for 2008 for their ongoing campaign to protect the unique collection of hulks on the foreshore of the River Severn at Purton Gloucestershire. The award was enthusiastically presented by Ray Sutcliffe, the respected historian and specialist producer of history and archaeology programmes for the BBC, whose works included the 'Chronicle' and 'Timewatch' series. Ray Sutcliffe stated that he had fervently followed the campaign to protect the hulks. Chairman of the Friends of Purton, Paul Barnett, accepted the award and praised the efforts of the 'Friends' and the N.A.S. He said, ‘the award represented a Bar with Honours to complement the currently held Adopt A Wreck Award for 2007, which in turn had done vital work to highlight the plight and national importance of this Gloucestershire time capsule.’ Furthermore he applauded the sterling efforts of society members, Janet Presley, Brian Humphrey, Dave Smith and Derek Newton-Goverd, for their continued efforts in ensuring the site is comprehensively recorded and documented despite the lack of formal recognition. Mr Barnett further stated, ‘although efforts to have this site scheduled as a listed monument have fallen on deaf ears, The 'Friends' will continue to campaign to have this unique site protected for future generations to enjoy. October 2008 Purton comes to Coast
Neil Oliver presenter of BBC's Coast
August 2008 Story of the Purton Hulks goes to print After many years in the making, the 'Friends' are immensely pleased to advise that the official site guide Fore & Aft - The story of the Purton Ships Graveyard is now available upon request by sending a S.A.E. and cheque for £5.00 payable to The Friends of Purton. June 08 Purton the home of Gloucestershire’s forgotten maritime past In line with ongoing media exposure , Purtons hidden past has again been resurrected and is to feature in a forthcoming screened episode of Tale of Country as presented by distinguished local anchorman Tony Francis. Heavily enthralled by the site and its vessels, Tony marvelled at the existent of the archaeology and explored the sites role within the Severn region booming maritime economy and it links with the Port of Lydney. March 2008 Nation made aware of the plight of Purton Hulks With the help of the BBC, the national campaign to raise awareness and protect the Purton Hulks was launched.
Read article here Read. All those interested in registering their support by signing our petition should contact The Friends of Purton November 2007 Purtons ship has come home. Maritime historian Paul Barnett is today celebrating his successes at the martine equivalent of the Oscars upon receiving first place in their converted Adopt a Wreck Award by the nationally acclaimed body the Nautical Archaeological Society based in Portsmouth. During the presentation of the award in front of hundreds of the interested parties including English Heritage and the wider Archaeological fraternity, Barnett who has battled to have this unique collection of abandoned vessels protected against the habitual destruction of trophy hunters and arsonist for eight years, thanked the society for it recognition and stated the award recognised the significance of the site and as such proclaimed the fight would continue to have this collection protected for the nation. Article |
Purton Ships' Graveyard and Paul Barnett to feature on the prestigious BBC TV programme Coast early in 2009. Read 'ThisisGloucestershire.co.uk' article