If wreck diving and archaeology are your bent, and you live within reach of Holyhead in north-west Wales, you'll be delighted to learn that the town is hosting the region's first maritime history and archaeology seminar later this month.

Southerners have had it all their own way for a while! There's the Nautical Archaeology Society's annual conference in Portsmouth each November; and, through the NAS' South-West section, the annual Shipwreck Conference, whose 23rd meeting has just been held in Plymouth.

But now, in north-west Wales, a new event has attracted some well known speakers for the inaugural meeting at Holyhead's Canolfan Ucheldre Centre, on 26 February.

The event has been organised by the centre and Holyhead Maritime Museum, with the encouragement of maritime specialists including archaeologist Mike Bowyer.

Speakers are:
Sophia Exelby, Receiver of Wreck, and maritime lawyer Michael Williams, on protecting the UK's dangerous wrecks;
Robert Peacock, on the Stirling Castle;
Leigh Bishop, on diving the SS Britannic;
Innes McCartney, on diving and researching submarines;
Dr Margaret Rule, on saving the Mary Rose;
Philip Lecane, on the Leinster;
Ron Mahoney, on the Leopoldville;
Peter Day, on the Royal Charter;
Anthony Martin, on the TBC Sussex;
Mike Walker, on Holyhead ships;
Dr Sian Reese, of CADW.

Entrance for the day's event costs £30, including morning coffee and lunch. Those interested are advised to book in advance, as places are limited in the Ucheldre Centre, a former convent school chapel converted to an exhibitions and conference centre seating a maximum of 300.

Enquiries and bookings: Canolfan Ucheldre Centre, Millbank, Holyhead, Anglesey LL65 1TE, 01407 763361, box-office@ucheldre.org

Related links
Portland's third dimension

News Index Page