‘Wellington Underway’, HQS Wellington

Client: The Wellington Trust

Dates: 2019-2020

Budget: £1.9 million

Project: ‘Wellington Underway’, HQS Wellington

HQS Wellington is the last surviving member of the Grimsby Class of sloops who served with honour and distinction as convoy ships during the Second World War. Since 1948 it has been moored on the Thames where it is the home of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, a City of London Livery Company. Part museum, part library, part unique conference and dining space, it is a ship cared for by the Trust and run by the Master Mariners (members of the Livery). The Trust ran an existing education programme for schools with great success, supported by the Cass Foundation. In the past they have curated a number of temporary exhibitions, opened up during London Open House and had a monthly programme of talks and group visits, all of which have attracted interest.

In 2019 the Trust secured a Resilient Heritage grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Alix was appointed to lead on the Business plan which reviewed the operational model, assessed and ensured the future resilience of the ship, built on the successful work with schools to expand the educational programme, and identified potential interest in a refreshed offer to build visitor numbers, including local residents, tourists, local workers and uniform groups.