Delphine Jasmin-Belisle is currently head of development and membership at the Heritage Alliance (the umbrella body for heritage organisations) with experience of membership development and infrastructure, delivering online events and engagement and previously had experience of managing heritage in the historic port of Whitby. 

Hannah Hurford has a strong enthusiasm for maritime heritage and bringing it to more diverse groups. She was a trainee on the NHS Shipshape Heritage Training Partnership from 2018-20, is an experienced long-distance sailor, for the last 2 years has been chief communications officer of the sail cargo company EcoClipper and is a Director of the Lynher Barge CIC in Cornwall. 

Cat Holt is passionate about preserving maritime heritage both above and below the water. She is a museum professional who has specialised in maritime collections and is currently Collections Manager at Dover Museum, responsible for the internationally significant Bronze Age boat and a working replica. In addition, Cat trained on the NHS Shipshape Training Partnership and is a Trustee of the Nautical Archaeology Society, including chairing their Education sub-group. 

The AGM was held in the beautiful surroundings of Hermitage Community Moorings. Apart from the usual Annual Report and Accounts, the major item on the agenda was election of new Trustees. There are three new faces as set out above. But four of the previous team have stood down and we pay tribute to them for all the work they have put in over the years at MHT and our predecessor organisations. But their expertise will not be completely lost as they will be taking on honorary positions.  David Morgan as President, Scott Pereira as Vice-President with John Megoran and Bernard Hales continuing as Expert Advisors. 
The other former trustees were elected to continue - Henry Cleary, Trevor Godbold, Richard Albanese, Maddie Phillips and Brian Corbett.

A new mission statement for MHT was discussed and after some small amendments has been adopted at a subsequent meeting of the board. A copy is attached.

The meeting also congratulated Victoria Wallworth on her appointment as MHT Development Manager (part time) and the closer ties now in place with National Historic Ships UK.

At the end of the formal proceedings Maddie gave a short presentation on “Working Aboard Cutty Sark in 2022” including a survey of public engagement activities on the vessel .

It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Brian Corbett.
His love of maritime history was evidenced by his involvement in  MHT as a Trustee from 2016-2022 and his unfailing commitment to the Heritage Harbours initiative where he was a driving force. He will be greatly missed.

Our president Davaid Morgan has given a personal appreciaton on the MHT website.

He was an enthusiatic member of OGA - The Association for Gaff Rig Sailing and OGA have set up a donation page in his memory at GiveasyouLive. If you wish to contribute follow the link. Proceeds are being donated to MHT and we have undertaken to identify a suitable use as a memorial to Brian.

 Brian Corbett, one of our Trustees and a huge power behind the Heritage Harbours idea who energetically supported the many coastal and maritime communities interested in delivering a Heritage Harbour in their locality. This is to assure you that, while Brian is of course irreplaceable, we at MHT are firmly resolved to continue his work and provide support where we can to the developing projects, alongside our Heritage Harbour partners at National Historic Ships UK and Historic England.

There has been a recent joint NHS/HE/MHT statement and accompanying Frequently Asked Questions. Both are available to view through the MHT website.

Look out for our joint webinar series with National Historic Ships UK restarting in October 2022 with sessions on Heritage Harbours and Fundraising.