HMS Belfast

From Roving Reporter, Painter, Ace cake baker and now (with her Sister, Hannah) National Historic Ships VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR, Bee Pihama, in her own words, this report of the Awards Ceremony aboard HMS Belfast.

Bee and Hannah glammed up for their meeting with HRH Princess Anne aboard HMS Belfast; Picture by Owen Pihama.

“We woke up and put on some very different clothes to our normal barge gear! Leaving fairly early for London in the morning by train, we wandered about by the river before we went on board HMS Belfast. We were very excited but nervous as we went on board. We headed to the ship’s company dining room for the ceremony; where they had put out tables and very tasty food for the occasion! After a while nervously waiting, we stood up for HRH the Princess Royal and there was a brief introduction about the Awards. Firstly, they announced the Flagship of the Year Award – which was won by the Edith May and after that the Marsh Volunteer Awards. The moment we heard the name Cambria we got a shock as we knew it was us. Hannah and I were rather worried as we were unsure whether to curtsey or not! However we just followed the lead of the people before and Princess Anne shook our hands, asking how we started volunteering. Then we received our prize and saw the rest of the awards ceremony, which were for maritime photography. Later we got to talk to Princess Anne again and some of the committee judges from National Historic Ships and they talked to us about volunteering and our work on the barge. They said that the application sent in was excellent and really stood out from the others (many thanks to Matt, Basil and all the other volunteers!). After this we had some photos taken by the press. It was such an amazing day and one we will never forget. A massive thank you to everyone who nominated us we are so grateful!!

(National historic ships have the story on their website as well – http://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/news.php/414/nhs-uk-award-winners-announced) ”

Thanks for that, Bee

Wow! A breathless e-mail from the painting volunteer teenage sisters, Bee and Hannah Pihama! Hannah writes,

“Hi Matt

We have just got back from London for the (National Historic Ships, Volunteer of the Year) Awards ceremony which we won! We had a simply amazing day and really enjoyed meeting Princess Anne, thanks you so much for nominating us. We got a framed certificate and a cheque for £250 each. Beth said she will write something for the blog asap. The National Historic Ships said the press release should be done by tomorrow.

Hannah

xx”

HMS Belfast; picture from the Belfast website.

We (the ‘grown-up’ Volunteers) had seen the advert for this and, after secret discussions, had sneakily applied on behalf of Bee and Hannah, filling out the form and describing in the most favourable way we could, their brilliant contribution to the Cambria from slapping on anti foul and paint to the underside and wales in the biting Nor’easters of that bitter winter, to hands-and-knees shovelling out old sawdust from the limbers through to the more pleasant tasks like cooking delicious chocolate cakes for the Volunteer session tea breaks. We told how they delighted us by joining in fully with our little community, swapping banter with the older Volunteers and getting fully involved in the conversations and jokery. They really were a joy to work with and we know they loved it too.

We sent off the forms to National Historic Ships and quickly heard back that the girls had been invited to attend the Awards Ceremony aboard HMS Belfast in the company of HRH Princess Anne but we did not know whether they’d actually won anything. We selected their Dad, Owen Pihama as the ‘Responsible Adult’ from the Trust to accompany them and the three of them had to submit their particulars for security checks and so on.

I will wait for Bee’s ‘Roving Report’ for the rest of this story.

Well done Girls (and Dad).

You earned it!

Tag: HMS Belfast

In Her Own Words

Volunteers of the Year!