31 July 2025. July Food with Friends took us on an unforgettable journey to the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, where we learnt about sailors’ food and life on ships. We were treated to a guided tour of the legendary HMS Victory and the naval museums. Joanna Valentine and Courtnee Mitchell, Community Officers from the National Museum of the Royal Navy brought the ship’s history to life with fascinating stories and insights and introduced migrants to the fascinating naval heritage of Portsmouth.
Stepping aboard HMS Victory, the oldest commissioned warship in the world, was truly a privilege. This iconic vessel played a pivotal role in British naval history, most famously as Admiral Nelson’s flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar. As we walked the decks, we stopped at the very spot where Nelson was fatally wounded, now marked with a plaque on the Quarter Deck. Visiting Nelson’s personal quarters offered a poignant glimpse into his final days.
The tour gave us a real sense of life at sea in the 18th century. We saw where sailors and officers ate and slept, often in incredibly cramped and challenging conditions. We admired the powerful guns onboard the ship, sturdy oak timbers, and the ship’s galley kitchens, which gave us a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship required to keep HMS Victory operational.
One of the highlights of the visit was learning about the daily diet of sailors in Nelson’s navy. We even discovered the origin of the phrase “square meal”, a reference to the square wooden plates used to serve food aboard Royal Navy ships. We learnt why sailors ate certain food like onions, to prevent diseases like scurvy, which was rampant on long sea voyages.
Following the tour, our group was warmly welcomed with a delightful spread of homemade treats, generously prepared by our local favourite Bee’s Chai House, the perfect way to round off a day of exploration and history. Proud to support women-led small catering businesses that can drive economic growth, promote gender equality, and foster a more inclusive society.
From naval strategy to shipboard life, the visit offered a compelling dive into maritime history, and left us with a renewed admiration for the men who served aboard this extraordinary ship. A huge thank you to the Community Officers, Joanna Valentine and Courtnee Mitchell, for their engaging and informative tour. We are incredibly grateful to our Spanish interpreter for making our event more accessible and welcoming for our Latino participants.
Food with Friends has been running since 2022, initially kick-funded by a Community Inclusion Grant from Portsmouth City Council and now supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.
