The Victorian Forts Network was established by the Palmerston Forts Society in early 2022 as an informal grouping of “Those involved in the operation of Victorian Forts for the public good”.
The Network intended to facilitate collaboration and knowledge exchange among individuals and organisations who own, manage or curate a Victorian Fortification or are involved in related research. The Network is a forum to share problems, successes, good practices and ideas, challenges, and opportunities.
The Network currently has over 80 members representing over 45 fortified sites and other organisations including the PFS. The PFS role is to coordinate meetings and other connections. A main measure of success of the Network is day to day interactions between members who might otherwise not know each other. The members of the network are not necessarily members of the PFS.
The Network has a mixture of physical and Zoom meetings with the physical ones also including a Zoom element for those are not able to travel to the meeting. Past meetings have been hosted by Royal Armouries Fort Nelson, Nothe Fort and Fort Purbrook.
Some meetings have focused on a key topic such as “Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers” and “Site Security on a Budget” while others have concerned practical skills such a use of Lime Wash.
Membership is currently dominated by forts in the UK but includes a number of sites in the ROI, Malta and New Zealand. We expect to soon welcome members representing overseas British-heritage fortifications of the same period.
The definition of “….the operation of Victorian forts for the public good” is pretty broad. If you are restoring a fort as a private home that still qualifies because we see appropriate restoration as “…for the public good”
If you are not in the network and think that you should be, then get in touch with us at: enquiries@palmerstonfortssociety.org.uk
At the 2025 Palmerston Forts Society AGM the new five year strategy was launched to the members. read more ...
This years journal has now been despatched to all renewed members and is available for download for Digital Members.
The 2025 edition of the PFS Journal has arrived from the printers. It will be distributed to members at this years AGM on the 25th October and to those members unable to attend it will be posted via Royal Mail the following week.read more ...
The Royal Armouries are asking people who have visited the fort to complete a small on-line survey to help them shape future plans for the fort as a visitor experience. read more ...
We are delighted to announce that, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has decided to add Lumps Fort (Southsea) and the site of the nearby practice battery to the National Heritage List for England as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. read more ...
The Palmerston Forts Society (PFS) aims to educate the public about Fort Nelson and Victorian fortifications, supporting their improvement for public benefit. To further this goal, PFS offers financial grants of up to £1,000 for projects focused on preserving and recording Victorian forts.read more ...
Easyfundraising We have now registered with a new scheme called easyfundraising. Over 7,000 brands will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them – at no extra cost to yourself. read more ...