Exciting news about Eastney Fort East

Earlier this week, a delegation from the Palmerston Forts Society met with the new owners of the site of the former Royal Marines Museum which includes the battery. The owners plan to develop the site into Portsmouth's first five star hotel. We were invited to discuss options for the future of the battery site.
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Merry Christmas!

The PFS Committee would like to take this festive time to wish the members of the Society a 'Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous 2021'. We all hope that 2021 will be a better year for all of us, with opportunities to meet again at Fort Nelson for evening meetings, PAV gun firing events and work parties. We have also missed this year's annual outing to the Chatham forts, so the committee will be working on a new ideas for the 2021 outing.
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Amazon Smile

The PFS have registered with Amazon Smile. If you use Amazon why not use Amazon Smile instead, there is no difference to you as the customer, but for every £1 you spend, those nice folk at Amazon will give the PFS a ha'penny!
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Eggbuckland Keep

Plymouth City Council website has a detailed pre-application proposal for the conversion of Eggbuckland Keep. See main content for application details and a link to the council's website.
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The Redan No.81

The 2020 issue of The Redan has been received from the printers, and a general mail out to members who have renewed will commence from the 26th October. A digitised version can be found in the members' area of the PFS website.

Palmerston Forts Society updates its Constitution.

An important part of the business at the Annual General Meeting on the 17th October was gaining members’ support for an update to our constitution, which included voting procedures, the management of meetings and the status of different types of membership.  The proposed amendments were voted on and approved. This revised constitution was then submitted to the Charities Commission who accepted the amendments and approved it.  The new constitution has been uploaded to the members’ area of the PFS website.

Fort Nelson reopens on 11th August

Fort Nelson will be open from 11 August 2020. Once again, visitors will be able to enjoy the panoramic views from the fort’s ramparts, explore the main tunnel, get up close to collection highlights in the Voice of the Guns gallery and visit the newly refurbished Artillery Hall. Although the main cafe will not be open there will be a takeaway menu and plenty of picnic space. Social distancing and various other forms of safety control will be in place, and so the number of people on site can be managed it is necessary to book advance for the three timed daily sessions. Admission is free but on-site car parking incurs a small charge. For advance booking: https://bit.ly/338cVrN

PFS Annual Outing is cancelled

The PFS Committee has regrettably cancelled the Annual Outing to the Chatham forts Horsted and Luton due to the current Covid-19 situation. It is not certain that the forts will be open to visitors on the 19th September but, even if they are, the hire of a coach from Fort Nelson is subject to too many social distancing restrictions that the trip would be commercially nonviable. This is a disappointing but necessary decision, and the first time in more than twenty years that there has not been an annual outing but, hopefully, next year will return to normal. 

The Palmerston Forts Society and Covid-19

The PFS Committee has regrettably cancelled all PFS activities for the next three months due to the current Covid-19 situation. It is hoped that by June 2020 the situation will have improved enough so that normal services and activities can be resumed, and the membership will be kept informed accordingly. Royal Armouries has closed Fort Nelson to the general public from the 18th March until further notice.

Fort Gilkicker back on the market

The roller-coaster ride for Fort Gilkicker continues, as it's back on the market yet again.... 
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Drop Redoubt Open Weekend dates for 2020

Drop Redoubt Open Weekend dates for 2020: 30th – 31st May and 5th – 6th September. For full details: https://doverwesternheights.org

A new animation of the 100-ton gun at Fort Rinella, Malta.

Fondazzjoni Wirt Artna (The Malta Heritage Trust) were involved in the creation of the animation and Mario Farrugia, who represents the trust, wrote an excellent article about the fort and gun for Redan 48 back in 1998. To see the animation click on the link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyItmfUO3WA
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Hurst Castle storm damage sparks safety fears

Fears over the future of Hurst Castle have been heightened after storm damage forced the historic building’s closure at the weekend. English Heritage, which owns the scheduled monument near Milford, has shut a number exhibition rooms for the foreseeable future after large cracks appeared in the walls and ceilings.
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PFS Membership Renewals

The new PFS membership year commenced on the 1st October, and thanks to all members who have renewed, but a reminder to those who have yet to renew that their subscription for the 2019-2020 year is now in overdue.

Peter Ashley Activity Centres: Fort Widley Heritage Evening - 4th October 2019

The Peter Ashley Activity Centre at Fort Widley will be open for a unique evening on Friday 4th October with a tour of the Secret Nuclear Bunker. The two hour guided tour begins at 6.30 pm and will include access to the Nuclear Civil Defence Bunker and a talk about the changes to civil defence since the 1950s. The cost is £15 per person and does include refreshments, including Pompey Pals Ale. To book call Lydia on 02392 321223 or email: lydia@peterashleyactivitycentres.co.uk
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Fort Cumberland Heritage Open Days

Fort Cumberland Heritage Open Days will be from Friday 13th September to Monday 16th September. Full details and tickets are available on the website: www.heritageopendays.org.uk/visiting/event/fort-cumberland1
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