Scores of businessmen and women across the South are to take part in the first hospitality event of its kind to be held at the Mary Rose’s new multi-million museum in Portsmouth during its preview phase.
The South Coast office of Smith & Williamson, the accountancy and investment management group, is hosting its annual drinks party for guests at the ‘time capsule’ venue this Thursday (May 9).
The Tudor warship Mary Rose sank in the Solent in July 1545 in front of King Henry VIII while attacking French galleys; 500 sailors died.
Preserved in silt for centuries, the ship was raised by marine archaeologists in 1982 and its structure is displayed in the new museum at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, along with many of its 19,000 well-preserved artefacts.
Richard Green, who heads up the Smith & Williamson office in Southampton, said: “The museum has freeze-framed the lives of ordinary sailors from Tudor times, with a treasure trove of history revealed by the ship’s fascinating contents, from bronze cannons and longbows to shoes and drinking tankards.
“It is a privilege to be hosting the inaugural business hospitality event at this stunning museum, which is set to become a national attraction in its own right.
“We are grateful to the Mary Rose Trust for allowing our guests a preview before the public opening on May 31.”
