THE MATTHEW PROJECT

The Matthew is a replica of the fifteenth-century caravel in which John Cabot sailed from Bristol to Newfoundland in 1497; it was built to recreate that journey exactly 500 years later. These days it spends much of its time open to the public at its moorings in the Floating Harbour. In the evenings it often cruises in the harbour and during the summer it goes on sea voyages with a limited number of passengers.

Visitors are greeted and guided around the ship by RSVP West volunteers. Volunteers also help to maintain the ship and crew her, both on her evening excursions and her annual trips. The guide crew totals about 30 men and women, members of a regular seven-days-a-week watch rota to help visitors enjoy and appreciate the unique qualities of the craft.

Ann May on board the Matthew

Ann May joined them seven years ago and now coordinates the work of the volunteers. “I’d spent my working life communicating with people and had just retired from giving investment advice in a building society. I couldn’t imagine doing nothing. A friend who was already volunteering on the Matthew suggested that I gave it a try. As I’d never been interested in boats or sailing ships, I disliked water and I hated heights, this wasn't an obvious volunteering choice! But I came to enjoy it, partly because I love talking to people and there’s a lot of that in guiding visitors around the ship. After a while, I moved from guiding to being a member of the crew.”

The volunteers are passionate about the Matthew and there’s a strong family spirit. Ann is intent on keeping that alive. It’s also vital that the Matthew is maintained as a working ship as well as a visitor attraction because it’s such a significant part of the heritage of Bristol.

Matthew volunteer Derek Seely keeping a lookout

More volunteers needed? Yes, always! As older members retire or leave, new ones are regularly needed to keep the ship’s busy activities fully staffed. It’s not necessary for new volunteers to know the intricacies of sailing ships — Ann can vouch for that! — as training will be given. Volunteers who become members of the crew are literally taught the ropes and given other specialist instruction, including first aid, fire drill and how to cope with emergencies such as somebody falling overboard (which Ann is pleased to report hasn’t happened yet). Ann emphasises that volunteers must be prepared to commit themselves to at least one half-day a week, morning or afternoon, and must enjoy talking to people.

Interested? Then e-mail Ann May.

For more information on the Matthew see the ship’s own Web site.

© 2003–12 RSVP West. Page last updated on 16 February 2011.