Headlines Spring 2026

FIND THE UP-COMING INFORMATION HERE!

Happy Equinox –
The state of Planet Earth is obviously worrying at the moment, but volunteer maintenance work days (and open days / music evenings) continue to sustain MV Balmoral. 
Spring is hovering – so please look out for upcoming events – see below, also the Facebook page www.facebook.com/thebalmoral1949

The website’s “CONTACT”, “DONATIONS”, and “SHOP” links (and the people behind them) are still operational even whilst most of the website is in re-build. A bit like Balmoral – it’s her people not electronics that navigate, steer and operate the engines…

Maintaining traditional decks to keep out the rain – especially after this wet winter – is now urgent.
DONATIONS TO HELP FUND TIMBER & PITCH for continuing repair work to Balmoral’s weather decks would be very much appreciated.
https://www.thebalmoral.org.uk/donations/

HELP WITH THE ADMIN. BEHIND THE SCENES is also urgently sought. And if you’d also like more detail on opportunities, accessibility or restrictions on board, please contact MVBFL through the website’s link or email the Charity direct thebalmoral@protonmail.com

EVENTS

…NB – private hirings / events are not shown below

Saturday 21st March

Open Ship 11.45 – 5pm
Evening – “Sweet Surrender” to usher in Spring….fresh music 
to enliven the ship’s bar and more on Saturday evening. 
Free entry (donations very welcome) with the bar open;
Doors: 7pm Music: 8–10.30pm.

Tuesday 2nd April

SCIENCE CAFE- from Bob Foster
Returning on board after a break with “Butterfly brains and navigation”. Then a regular First Tuesday of the month. For detail of the topics – 
https://www.bobfosterphotography.com/sciencecafe
Balmoral’s Lounge Bar opens 7pm, talk begins 7.45pm.

Saturday 4th April

Open Ship 11.45 – 5pm
Evening – “CAT FLAP” and friends create lively music in the ship’s bar
Free entry (donations very welcome);
Bar open from 7pm, music from 8pm

Saturday 18th April

Open Ship 11.00 – 5pm
With the Maritime Volunteer Service providing interactive mini-classes on their activities

Friday 24th April

Lady Nade returns!
The brilliant Lady NADE singing, playing and hosting music on board; 
free entry (donations very welcome) with the bar open;
Doors: 7pm Music: 8–11pm.

Saturday 25th April

Paddle Steamer Preservation Society (PSPS) meets on board from 2.00 – 16.30
Archive Films presented by MVBFL Member Richard Turner, 
plus PSPS Bristol Channel branch AGM. 
Visitors welcome subject to numbers, if interested but need more detail please contact Dave on events@mvbalmoral.com

Other Open Days

Other open days, some with free-to-board music evenings, are fairly regular and may add to the calendar above; so LOOK OUT for updates and events also shown on www.facebook.com/thebalmoral1949

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY – Friday 12th June Balmoral’s FUND-RAISING CRUISE ON WAVERLEY includes an early evening trip up under the Newport Transporter Bridge!
More detail to be found on https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk or pages 5/6 of https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk/book/

Tuesday and Friday volunteer work days continue. Current activities include routine prep and running of engines and other machinery / services, plumbing, welding, testing, refurbishing of windows, doors, prep and decorating ceilings walls and corridors, and of course – cleaning, scrubbing, preparing and minding the ship for visitors!

If you would like to help please CONTACT us through the website or EMAIL events@mvbalmoral.com.

Our education partners are helping us seek “social volunteers” – to help “mind the ship” for open days and events – contact Hugh through myfuturemychoice.co.uk.