THE MATTHEW

The Matthew is a replica of the fifteenth-century caravel in which John Cabot sailed from Bristol to discover Newfoundland in 1497; it was built to recreate that journey exactly 500 years later. These days it spends part of its time moored alongside the SS Great Britain in the Floating Harbour and it is open to the public. In the evenings it often cruises in the harbour with passengers and each summer it’s taken on a longer voyage around Britain and the north European coast with a limited number of passengers, taking part in sea festivals.

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 50 men and women. About thirty of them are members of a regular seven-days-a-week watch rota to help visitors enjoy and appreciate the unique qualities of the craft.

The two Js: Janine Clarke and Joanna
Lovell, joint organisers of the volunteer
crew of the Matthew

In an unusual arrangement, organising the volunteers on the Matthew is shared, by Janine Clarke and Joanna Lovell.

Janine has been a volunteer with the Matthew for 8 years, right from the start of operations, both as a guide and a member of the crew, helping to sail her within Bristol harbour as well as around Britain and beyond. “When I came on board first,” she says, “I had literally to learn the ropes and climb the rigging. But as I’m a former nurse as well as a qualified chef, a lot of my work on voyages is housekeeping.” Joanna comes fresh to the ship but has experience working with volunteers, as she is operations manager for Victim Support at the Courts in Bristol. “I’m a complete beginner so far as sailing ships and ship handling are concerned,” she reluctantly admits, but I’m learning.”

Volunteer guide Arnold Pick talking to visitors on the main deck of the Matthew

Both organisers recognise the family spirit within what they describe as “the loyal band of volunteers” who guide visitors and crew the ship and who are passionate about the Matthew. They’re intent on keeping that spirit alive and building on it. In 2005, a company was set up to ensure the future of the ship — it’s vital that the Matthew is maintained as it’s such a significant part of the heritage of Bristol. A programme of events have been organised, to enable the Matthew to be self funding and retain the sense of history that surrounds the ship. Joanna and Janine will be doing their best to make it a successful venture.

More volunteers needed? They could certainly do with a few more. It’s not necessary to know the intricacies of sailing ships, as training will be given. But Joanne and Janine emphasise 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 please telephone Janine on 01275 850 412 or Joanna on 0117 9759 020.

MATTHEW LINKS

For more information on the Matthew see:

The ship’s own Web site
The SS Great Britain site

© 2003–10 RSVP West. Page last updated on 11 March 2008.