13th October 2015

Nick Hewitt holds a very important role at the National Museum of the Royal Navy and is stationed at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard where his most recent project was the restoration of HMS M33, the only surviving British warship to participate in the Gallipoli campaign! Find out which part of the Spinnaker Tower view Nick likes the best in the video and then find out more about Nick’s fascinating role below.

Describe your role at the National Museum of the Royal Navy (NMRN)

I am Head of Heritage Development for NMRN. I think I have the most exciting job in the museum – it’s project based work leading everything from gallery exhibitions to the salvage of a WW2 landing craft.

What’s your favourite part of your job?
All of it – I love that I never know what the day is going to bring!

Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met during your work at NMRN?

In my job I am privileged to meet many interesting people, often Royal Navy veterans with extraordinary stories. I have no intention of picking the best, they are all so very different and so fascinating. But one of the most recent was Admiral Sir William O’Brien, who commanded a destroyer on D-Day, 6 June 1944.

How long did the HMS M33 project take from the beginning to opening day

It’s important to remember that the project started many years ago when Hampshire County Council saved the ship and began to restore her. But NMRN’s £2.5 million HLF funded project began in October 2014 and ended when she opened to the public on 6 August 2015.

What has been your favourite bit of working on HMS M33?

Watching her come to life during the final stages, when the interpretation team started to add those little touches that make you feel the crew have only just stepped off: crockery, personal possessions and equipment, furnishings and even the ship’s cat!

How long have you lived in Portsmouth?

I’ve worked in the city since 2010, and lived here since last September

Describe your ideal weekend in Portsmouth? Are there any hidden gems you’d like to share? 

I didn’t realise how magical this city was until I moved here. I live in Southsea, and I think an ideal Saturday would be a lazy day on the common, stretched out with a good book near Southsea Castle, right by the sea – broken up by a really top notch coffee in one of the fabulous independent coffee shops on Palmerston Road.

Find out more about the National Museum of the Royal Navy and HMS M33 by clicking here.