Have great memories of living in the shadow of the mast. Blake 8 mess, top of long covered way. Spent some Wednesday afternoons climbing around on the mast, but never stood on the button. So good to see the mast back in good order. BZ to all involved in the restoration.
This has just popped into my feed, probably because earlier I showed my young grandchildren some UA-cam videos on dressing the mast, including the John Noakes attempt at climbing this mast at HMS Ganges. My grandsons were absolutely fascinated by it, and so impressed (as was I) by all those boys who went up so high - so brave yet so young. We then watched a couple of UA-cam videos on the gun carriage races at the Royal Tournament. What a lot we have lost, with both of those great events ceasing. The gun races were always the highlight of the Royal Tournament to me, and it’s tragic that they have gone. It’s great to see the mast restored. Thank you so much for showing this, many congratulations to all those involved in its restoration, and many congratulations - and thanks - to all those brave young lads who went through HMS Ganges.
Great to see the mast has finally been restored. Back in 1966 during Sunday recreation I climbed to the top and stood on the button and saluted. I have never forgotten the experience of that or being a Ganges boy. I only have great memories of my time there.
Beautiful. When all the work around it's complete The ensign flag and some ceremony would be brilliant. Would love to come back again. Second to last intake and never will forget my time there.
Great to see the return of such an iconic landmark - and hats off to Wavensmere for prioritising its restoration. It is a fitting monument to the 160,000 Boys who trained at HMS Ganges and served in the Royal Navy. There is a museum at Shotley Gate dedicated the history of the establishment - details can be found online.
What a magnificent feet of human effort / compassion to bring our wonderful mast back to life …. Thank you all who worked on her ! … The ensign flag woulnbe the cherry on top !!!
I did some of the work to the mast, and yours and all the other lovely comments I've read make me feel very lucky to have been involved. A lot of thought, care and sailing experience went into the restoration and we are very proud of it. I feel quite humbled by how much it means to so many. Thank you.
The navey should bring back some of the old traditions like climbing the mast and the gun carriage race, Might help with recruitment and the navey needs help with recruitment.Just a idea.Worth a thought.
Wonderful footage of such an iconic landmark Jeff. Dad was a sixteen year old when he stood on the button and would love to have seen this. Thanks for sharing.
So did I when I was stupid to do the same thing. Later in my Naval career I went back as a diving instructor. As ships company I used to walk across the Quarterdeck and look up at the mast and wonder to myself "what the hell was I thinking as a Junior seaman!
Nice to see it restored. I only made it to the first platform - that was high enough for me. What's the plans for Nelson Hall and the swimming pool building?
I never got higher than the first yard arm (1974). I remember, right across from it was the drill hall, and just outside the door was a display case with a selection of canes... scared the hell out of me that did.
It sad to see this place be changed from history to probably a council estate with people who don't give to shites about the history of where they live
More than just a mast it's the conduit for so many memories, moments and life experiences
Have great memories of living in the shadow of the mast. Blake 8 mess, top of long covered way.
Spent some Wednesday afternoons climbing around on the mast, but never stood on the button. So good to see the mast back in good order. BZ to all involved in the restoration.
This has just popped into my feed, probably because earlier I showed my young grandchildren some UA-cam videos on dressing the mast, including the John Noakes attempt at climbing this mast at HMS Ganges. My grandsons were absolutely fascinated by it, and so impressed (as was I) by all those boys who went up so high - so brave yet so young. We then watched a couple of UA-cam videos on the gun carriage races at the Royal Tournament. What a lot we have lost, with both of those great events ceasing. The gun races were always the highlight of the Royal Tournament to me, and it’s tragic that they have gone.
It’s great to see the mast restored. Thank you so much for showing this, many congratulations to all those involved in its restoration, and many congratulations - and thanks - to all those brave young lads who went through HMS Ganges.
Great to see the mast has finally been restored. Back in 1966 during Sunday recreation I climbed to the top and stood on the button and saluted. I have never forgotten the experience of that or being a Ganges boy. I only have great memories of my time there.
GOOD FOR YOU! Very smart thing topping the button! God Bless from Lake Erie, Ohio, USA!
Hats off to the trainee sailors. I have an awesome fear of heights and do not know how they can do it, especially the button boy.
Right decision to have the mast reinstated.
Beautiful. When all the work around it's complete The ensign flag and some ceremony would be brilliant. Would love to come back again. Second to last intake and never will forget my time there.
i was there at the same time . oct 72 . Frobisher 21 mess . long covered way . made up they done the mast up .
Great to see the return of such an iconic landmark - and hats off to Wavensmere for prioritising its restoration. It is a fitting monument to the 160,000 Boys who trained at HMS Ganges and served in the Royal Navy. There is a museum at Shotley Gate dedicated the history of the establishment - details can be found online.
What a magnificent feet of human effort / compassion to bring our wonderful mast back to life …. Thank you all who worked on her ! … The ensign flag woulnbe the cherry on top !!!
I have a photo which i have done that to, look on facebook JW Shipping Photography
I did some of the work to the mast, and yours and all the other lovely comments I've read make me feel very lucky to have been involved. A lot of thought, care and sailing experience went into the restoration and we are very proud of it. I feel quite humbled by how much it means to so many. Thank you.
Bloody marvellous!!!
Well done to Wavensmere homes. OK, may have been a requirement but that didn't say you had to do an excellent job of it, to original standards plus.
The navey should bring back some of the old traditions like climbing the mast and the gun carriage race, Might help with recruitment and the navey needs help with recruitment.Just a idea.Worth a thought.
Thank you for posting
You're welcome
Wonderful footage of such an iconic landmark Jeff. Dad was a sixteen year old when he stood on the button and would love to have seen this. Thanks for sharing.
You're Welcome..Thank you
So did I when I was stupid to do the same thing. Later in my Naval career I went back as a diving instructor. As ships company I used to walk across the Quarterdeck and look up at the mast and wonder to myself "what the hell was I thinking as a Junior seaman!
Maybe because I climbed trees a lot as a kid, I had no fear of heights. I stood on the button and did the four points salute a few times in 1966.
I climbed it many times during 65/66 as I was a 15 year old trainee
I was there in 1974 and climbed it, but was told it was a few feet taller than 142. Frank in Bristol.
Nice to see it restored. I only made it to the first platform - that was high enough for me. What's the plans for Nelson Hall and the swimming pool building?
I join the navy in 1953 and also climbed the mast on a sunday afternoon and stood on the button but i hated the place.
Long may it stand !
I never got higher than the first yard arm (1974). I remember, right across from it was the drill hall, and just outside the door was a display case with a selection of canes... scared the hell out of me that did.
My dad was a button boy in 1938 and went on to serve until he left just after the Korean war.
Awesome!
What’s happening around the area of the mast ? It looks like a building site?
Houses being built
Doubt modern youth would be as daft as us lot ? HMS StVincent 1956 Hawk 961 Any left ?
Did anyone actually fall off ?
It sad to see this place be changed from history to probably a council estate with people who don't give to shites about the history of where they live
It's a housing estate but not a council estate. I couldn't afford to live there, but I'm pleased it brings the mast back to life.