Golden Hinde anniversary contest
SCHOOLS in Berkshire are among those being invited to a competition with the chance to visit a historic river museum.
The Golden Hinde Museum, a replica of Sir Francis Drake’s famous sailing ship moored in central London, is offering schools the chance of an educational visit with a competition event celebrating its 50th year.
Primary schools are invited to create a birthday card in honour of the floating museum’s Golden Anniversary, and a selection of submissions will be exhibited on board.
Secondary schools can take part in a poetry competition, where students can submit verse centre around the theme of sailing or the sea.
Entries will be judged by the ship’s navigator, Jilly Francis, and former crew-mate and resident and resident artist Zillah Richards, with one winning school gaining an invitation to visit the museum.
The museum is also running a Circumnavigation Challenge to help raise funds.
As the original ship travelled more than 100,000 miles–equivalent to a full circumnavigation of the globe– the museum is challenging schools and families to undertake their own circumnavigation.
This can be running, rowing, swimming, cycling, sailing or skateboarding, or however the participants want to travel.
The museum is currently raising funds, including a crowdfunding campaign, to support its 2023 Re-rigging Project.
The original Golden Hind vessel was renowned for its historic circumnavigation of the globe in the late-1570s, captained by Sir Francis
Drake.
Drake was partly sponsored by Queen Elizabeth I, and his journeys on the ship would contribute to the instigation of the Anglo Spanish War in 1585.
While the original galleon was eventually left to disintegrate, the Golden Hinde Museum has been offering members of the public a seaworthy replica of the worldfamous ship, as well as hosting live events and over-night stays since 1973.
■ To take part in the competition and claim a school participation pack, visit www.goldenhinde. co.uk. Entries close on Monday, May 22.