06 Jan 2016
Join us behind the scenes at Cutty Sark. Today we catch up with Adminstrations Officer Alex.
My name is Alex Moyse and I joined the Cutty Sark team three months ago. Having recently graduated from University College London I am really enjoying being able to put the research and organisation skills I gained from my degree into practice. Cutty Sark blurs the boundaries between museum, conservation project and historical monument, making her a unique and challenging project to work on.
Even though the main conservation project finished back in 2012 Cutty Sark still requires daily maintenance to preserve her for future generations. I feel very privileged indeed to be a part of this process by administrating the ongoing works. She is a joy to behold when I round the corner of Waterstones every morning and when the sun sets behind her as I leave in the evening.
Picking up all the maritime terminology has been a steep learning curve. At first I was confused by the unusual vocabulary, such as ‘fo’c’sle’, ‘cat head’ and ‘caulking’, but now I have all that under my belt and every day I feel I have a better understanding of the ship. Everyone here is so friendly and helpful. I have yet to meet a member of staff or a volunteer I haven’t liked!
This is an interesting time for Cutty Sark as she enters a new phase of her life. Nowadays she is a unique venue for all sorts of events from comedy, drama and music to dinners and sleepovers. The highlight of my time here so far has to be an evening of stand up with Phil Jupitus in the Michael Edwards Studio Theatre in the lower hold. I’m very excited to be involved in the plans to utilise the space under the ship’s beautiful copper clad hull for larger events – watch this space!