Celebrating Shipbuilding Heritage

Shipbuilders who worked on the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), one of the world's most iconic ocean liners, gathered to celebrate Scotland's shipbuilding heritage at a special event hosted by People's Postcode Lottery at the V&A design museum in Dundee.

The museum is a spectacular addition to the city's waterfront, and receives funding from players of People's Postcode Lottery.

The former shipbuilders, along with family, friends, and local winners from Carnoustie, were treated to a guided tour of V&A Dundee's opening exhibition, Ocean Liners: Speed and Style, which is supported by our players.

The world-class exhibition explored the design and cultural impact of the ocean liner age and featured objects from the QE2. These included a promotional poster and brochure as well as a chair from the QE2 Britannia restaurant and a pattern used to create one of the QE2 turbines. 

QE2 construction began in the Clydebank shipyards of John Brown & Company in 1965. Guests were given a recital by poet Brian Whittingham, the first Makar for Renfrewshire and a former shipbuilder who worked on the QE2. Brian performed works from his book Bunnets 'n' Bowlers, which reflects his experience of life in Glasgow's shipyards.

Journalist, broadcaster and People's Postcode Lottery Ambassador Fiona Phillips joined the celebrations. The ten lucky Carnoustie neighbours who attended each won a People's Postcode Lottery Daily Prize last September as part of a record-breaking draw which saw 32 winners in a single postcode.

Through the Postcode Culture Trust, our players have raised more than £1.5 Million in support of V&A Dundee. This is just one of thousands of charitable organisations that have been supported by our amazing players.

In addition to Ocean Liners: Speed and Style, the support of our players has helped to enable V&A Dundee's 'Community Garden' initiative and the museum's Scottish Design Relay, which aims to inspire the next generation of designers.

To date, players have raised more than £404 Million for charities and good causes across Britain and around the world. A minimum of 32% of the ticket price goes to charities and good causes. 

Ronald McLellan, a People's Postcode Lottery player and former QE2 shipbuilder, said, "I didn't quite realise the extent of the support from People's Postcode Lottery. It's incredible to see how the money from players has gone to benefit so many causes, just like the V&A. The exhibition looks incredible and it's great to see people still talking about Scotland's shipbuilding history, something that played such a big part of my younger years.

 "At the event I was able to share old stories with some of the guys that used to work in the same ship yard as me. It's been a wonderful experience and brought back a lot of fond memories."

Clara Govier, Managing Director of People's Postcode Lottery, said, "The support that our players have already given to V&A Dundee is just the start of what we hope to achieve together in the future.

"This has been a great opportunity to bring together some of the people who each had a hand in building the QE2, allowing them to share their stories from the shipyards and to celebrate the legacy of this incredible piece of maritime history.

"This evening has also captured exactly what makes People's Postcode Lottery unique – players have the opportunity to win prizes and at the same time are supporting and enabling thousands of charities and good causes to achieve more. Not only do our players win, but the charities they support win too."

Barry Ferguson, Director of Philanthropy & Partnerships at V&A Dundee, said, "We would like to thank players of People's Postcode Lottery for their support in bringing this world-class exhibition to V&A Dundee.

"As well as showcasing the glamour of ocean liners, the exhibition highlights how Scottish design and engineering innovation was at the centre of the spectacular evolution of these floating cities.

"It has been an honour to meet some of the people involved in building the QE2 and to hear their stories from the shipyards first-hand."