Our Story

Moored in the heart of Bristol’s Floating Harbour, the historic MV Balmoral offers visitors the chance to step back in time. Built in 1949 and lovingly restored by volunteers, she’s a living piece of maritime history — open to explore, discover, and enjoy. Whether you’re a ship enthusiast, a family on a day out, or simply curious, everyone’s welcome aboard.

The Balmoral is governed by a Board of Trustees & Directors. All trustees meet on a monthly basis to ensure the organisations goals and objectives are being delivered. Each trustee is a volunteer and there are no paid positions within the charity.

If you would like to join the trustees and directors, or become an Officer with no trustee responsibilities but still play an active role, please drop us an
email: enquiries@thebalmoral.org.uk

We especially need people who could help us with social media, marketing and advertising, fundraising, project management. Equally if you have any skills in traditional boat building; welding, deck repairs, electrics, plumbing, carpentry or joinery, please get in touch we’d love to hear from you.

If you have other skills that you think could be useful please do let us know.

Our Board of Directors, Trustees and Officers comprises of the following individuals:

John first sailed on Balmoral in 1988 on a trip from Liverpool, in 2007 he offered to help Dick Clague who organised the Isle of Man pier hosting by volunteers and from then he became involved in organising the pier hosts for the Irish Sea area after Balmoral returned to operation in 2015.

He is now in charge of recording the donations and our accounts along with answering enquiries, and various correspondence John also contributes to the newsletters to both Members and Supporters.

Before retirement, John worked in the financial sector, as a Corporate Sector Manager dealing with many types of small, medium, and large businesses including lending decisions.

Dave organises our volunteer days and planned maintenance/restoration. Dave is the one you will initially speak to if you wish to hire the Balmoral for an event, meeting, educational session or any other function. If you’d like to volunteer on board, he’s the one who’ll arrange everything.

Dave was engineering-trained and had some sailing and design experience before going into the Civil Service, eventually working in business-continuity. He has been fascinated by industrial archaeology all his life, he was the Chair of Cardiff Archaeology Society for 30 plus years and is a keen small-boat sailor. Dave is currently also a trustee of Friends of Newport Transporter Bridge and Great Western Colliery Preservation Trust Ltd (Hetty Winding House).

Steve was a master on the ship and PS Waverley for many years, and now as a Bristol Channel pilot offers his expertise as a trustee and will hopefully steer the Balmoral back down the Avon one day in the not too distant future.

Andrew gained his chief engineer ticket on the Balmoral in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. He managed many a dry docking and winter restoration, the installation of the new engines and the refurbishment of the dining saloon. He is now planning for the alterations and refurbishments required to take the Balmoral back to sea and cruising.

Rob has been involved with the Balmoral for many years along. He also volunteers with the various historical ships in the harbour. 

He runs his own business Steamship Engineering Bristol. 

He is currently working on renewing some of the wooden decks on the Balmoral.

Iolo is our independent financial advisor, who audits our financial records, and whose financial advice is a great help to the trust.

Qualifications – B.Sc (Hons) C.Eng F.I.Mech.E (Prior to retirement)

Prior to retirement Stephen was an Engineering Manager responsible for running teams that designed railway vehicles and rail vehicle systems. Having been interested in ships since 1966 and a member of the Paddle Steamer Preservation Society since 1970, he has cruised many times on Balmoral. After moving to Bristol in 2015, he became closer to her present seat of operations and has been our Membership Secretary for the MV Balmoral Fund since its inception.

Maggie is an (about-to-retire) professional architect and historic-conservation adviser, specialises in design as well as being a practical-work volunteer, including on-board. Maggie designed the banners, and has compiled flyers and information posters since 2017, newsletters and information for members and supporters since 2019. Maggie has assisted Dave Bassett and MVBFL in setting up for, and running non-sailing events on board; and has been acting / minutes secretary to the Board since 2015.

Polly is the Director of Education for the educational charity MyFutureMyChoice (MFMC). They use the Balmoral as an integral part of many of their educational programmes.

Qualifications – IEng Imar Eng MIMarEST

Tony first joined Balmoral in 2017 and sailed as Chief Engineer during the Summer Season. He then continued as Chief Engineer responsible for maintaining and testing Main Engines and all essential equipment to comply with MCA hot lay-up requirements. But, unfortunately, our income is insufficient to prepare the vessel for sailing in the near future, so my efforts have recently concentrated on earning income from visitors coming on board whilst we are moored at Mardyke Quay.

The famous paddle steamer Balmoral of 1900 was built by Samuel McKnight & Co of Ayr, coming in at some 236 feet in length. She had enjoyed a splendid reputation as a cross-channel, and coastal excursion ship, operating for Southampton’s Red Funnel co.

During her career, she was requisitioned by the Admiralty on two occasions. Serving in both World Wars, initially as a troop transport ship, then as a minesweeper, she went on to become an accommodation ship on the Clyde. Sadly, after World War II, she was returned to Red Funnel in an incredibly poor condition.

So bad was the state of the vessel that in January 1947, the company had to question whether it was still financially viable, let alone economical to repair the ship to be pressed back into passenger service.

So bad was the state of the vessel that in January 1947, the company had to question whether it was still financially viable, let alone economical to repair the ship to be pressed back into passenger service.

Despite a large appetite within the company to invest in her, the financial situation at the time was difficult. Despite capital from the Government for her war service, a decision was reached that she was in no longer viable to be reconditioned, and a replacement would be needed.

Initially, thought was given to a direct replacement in the form of a fast and powerful diesel ship – purely for excursion work. However, harsh economic realities dictated a compromise, and a new motor vessel needed to be designed with dual capabilities. Specifically, it needed to be both a car ferry and an excursion ship. As such, a small car deck aft must be versatile enough to convert into a suntrap of deckchairs in the latter role.

It was decided to approach J. I. Thornycroft & Co. Ltd for the specification of a new ship, which was to become Yard No. 4120. Agreeably, the vessel would be named after her namesake predecessor, Balmoral.