Kate's interest in historic ships came from working for the operating company of the 1949 coastal day excursion vessel, MV Balmoral, in Bristol, after graduating from university. Here, Kate developed a deeper understanding of the social, historical and community importance of different vessels, as well as meeting people and volunteers with huge passion for the ship.

'I also have an artistic background and applied to the SHTP 2 project in order to combine my interests in historic ships and traditional skills, in working with wood and other materials and in supporting museum and heritage environments. I have seen how being on board a historic ship or in a museum space can foster curiosity and discussion, and I wanted to learn more about the conservation, curation and maintenance of such museum ships.'

Read more about the Cutty Sark and the opportunities available here as part of the SHTP 2 project

Life at the Cutty Sark

The famous British clipper ship the Cutty Sark is owned and maintained bRoyal Museums Greenwich which also run 3 other different sites of historical interest, including the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich.  2019 sees the Cutty Sark celebrate its 150th year and big projects ahead The Cutty Sark will offer trainees the chance to be directly involved with implementing ship maintenance activities aboard and the opportunity to work with staff based at the museum which is on the same site.

Latest Blog Post

Keep up to date with Kate and read more about her time as an SHTP 2 trainee. 

Final Blog Update - And with that, our SHTP2 traineeship is over. It really has been a fantastic year; I’ve learnt so much and made friends and memories that I will keep for a very long time.

Update September 2019 -  I have learnt a sheet from a halyard, a tack from a clew. Ironically, the most important thing I have learnt is : never underestimate the ability of Pioneer Sailing Trust to make you feel welcome and at ease on land or at sea.

Update July 2019I got to go on rotation to the Scottish Fisheries Museum... it is vastly different in scale and location to Royal Museums Greenwich and I had an absolutely amazing time....

Update June 2019 - While working with the main museum conservation volunteers, I helped with light object cleaning in the Royal Observatory and galleries of the National Maritime Museum, including frames and ships badges.

Update May 2019 - As part of the SHTP2 project, we have a chance to go to a number of courses and other learning experiences. This month, I went to a course on Preserving Historic Photographs with Susie Clarke, run by West Dean College

Update April 2019 -  I absolutely love the colourful characters and expressions of the figurehead collection and that these figures could represent both the spirit and protection of a vessel. It was a privilege to be involved with their conservation....

Update March blog update It has been a bit of a changeable month here in Greenwich, due to the weather. I have been repainting the wooden planks on the 'tween deck and cleaning in the lower hold......

UPDATE Feb 2019 Kate's Blog - This month I have been finding my feet a bit more, and have been entrusted with delegating my time throughout the week to focus on my tasks...

UPDATE Jan 2019 Kate's Blog -  I joined the Cutty Sark team as trainee one week ago and it has been a busy few days already!...

UPDATE Kate's Blog - Not having much previous sailing experience, the project induction was a steep learning curve for me...

Kate working on ships figurehead