Minister visits Purton Hulks (From Gazette Series)

Minister visits Purton Hulks

11:30am Tuesday 13th October 2009

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A GOVERNMENT minister has made an impromptu visit to Purton to see for herself the largest ships graveyard in mainland Britain.

The Friends of Purton were delighted by the visit to the famous Purton Hulks by Margaret Hodge MBE, the Minister for Culture, Media & Sport.

Arriving in a chauffeur-driven car, the minister stepped out into glorious sunshine last Thursday to be greeted by friend and colleague David Drew, MP for Stroud, who promptly handed the Minister of State a bag containing green wheelies.

Suitably attired the party, consisting of Janet Presley, vice chairman, Friends of Purton, Martyn Heighton, director of the historic ships committee, Laurie Coleman, head of archaeology, Friends of Purton, Stuart Bryan, of the advisory committee for historic wreck sites and broadcaster Professor Mark Horton, of Bristol University, set off to inspect the site.

Mrs Hodge eagerly took in the site's many rare artefacts and was said to be breathtaken with the tranquillity of the location and its idyllic setting alongside the meandering waters of the river Severn.

During the visit, the Friends presented the minister with a 2,600-signature petition calling for greater legal protection for the hulks and a copy of a five-year management plan that will ensure continued recording, documentation and dissemination of the site's archaeology.

Following the visit Mr Drew reported that the minister had been very impressed by what she saw and was keen to take the matter forward with English Heritage.

For further details www.friendsofpurton.org.uk

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