Transcript Of Narration
The millennium has now arrived which Portsmouth marked by holding three large firework displays in secret locations which lit up the sky and could be seen from anywhere within the city.
The site which Gunwharf quays is built upon was the first main ordnance yard for the Royal Navy and was established in the late 17th century. Nelson s Gate which was built in 1803 has been retained as part of Gunwharf Quays and so too has some of the original boundary wall. Gunwharf quays was completed in February 2001 and consists of a 33 acre site of over 65 shopping outlets, 20 bars and restaurants, an 11 screen cinema, 26 lane bowling complex, 310 homes, ship births and office space. The development has a 1,450 space car park situated under the development and has recently had the addition of a 130 bedroom hotel.
Portsmouth also got its own television channel "My TV Portsmouth" in 2001 but sadly this no longer remains. Portsmouth helped the queen celebrate her Golden Jubilee in style when she visited Portsmouth on Thursday 27th June 2002. Her visit consisted of a tri-service display on Whale Island, an air and sea battle in Portsmouth Harbour, a walkabout in Gunwharf Quays and a tri-service fly-past. The display was described by one television company as the biggest display outside of London.
The day commenced for the Queen by having the tri-service display on Whale Island, followed by lunch. She then took her place in Portsmouth Dockyard onboard ship to watch the air and sea battle. The prelude to this was the RAF flypast. The air and sea battle then was played out in front of the queen and as the description suggests consisted of a large number of aircraft and ships carrying out a mock battle.
There was then a tri-service flypast, which consisted of a large number of heli-copters, jets and planes of all types. The air display included the depiction of EIIR in planes, the Queen then boarded HMS Bangor to be taken to Gunwharf Quays where she met the people of Portsmouth and unveiled a statue. Her day then ended by her being driven to Southsea Common from where she took off in a Helicopter to fly out of Portsmouth.
