HMS Mercury

Special Events for all those who ​served
or worked at HMS Mercury
The Sustainability Centre is situated in heart of the South Downs and now occupies the land that was once HMS Mercury. 

Only a few traces of the old buildings still remain as the land is being returned to nature. It is vital therefore, that the heritage and collective memory the thousands of ex-members of the Royal Navy who trained and worked at HMS Mercury, is recorded and honored. 

We are delighted that so many former service personel have become Friends of The Sustainability Centre. Thank you to you all. 

Mercury Rising ​

Next Event is in 2021

This has become a biannual event where we welcome back lots of ex Navy personnel who served at HMS Mercury in the past.

We all take a wander down memory lane as we throw open the doors of The Sustainability Centre to all those who worked or served at HMS Mercury.

​This is a great opportunity to . . .
  • Find out what the future holds for HMS Mercury’s site at Leydene
  • Catch up with former friends and colleagues
  • In the past we have even enjoyed a special "Mercury Rising" beer, kindly donated by the RNCCA

Past Events                    

Mercury Rising ​2018

Sunday 8th April 2018

​Over 100 ex Mercury personnel came along. This included civvies, officers and ratings. There was plenty of time to wander down memory land, look at the exhibits and enjoy a presentation.

The first part of the presentation, given by Jill Edmunds, took us back more than the 70 plus years when Mercury was a Signal School , in fact back to the Anglo Saxons and the long barrow that is visible on the downs, then onto the building of Leydene House.  Christine Seaward (CEO of The Sustainability Centre) gave an enthusiastic  talk about the aims of the charity, what is happening at the site now and shared plans for the future.
A buffet lunch was enjoyed by all, washed down with Mercury Rising Ale donated by the RNCCA. Ken Sutton was in the old Senior Rates accommodation block where items from the Communications Museum/Library were on display.

The Centre has started a Memory Book to enable people who served at Mercury to write down snippets, anecdotes etc to ensure that Mercury as  Naval Establishment is never forgotten.

The event raised almost £500

This was a free event organised by the fundraising group at the Sustainability Centre and Ollie Butler on 02392 366508. 

Memory Book  

The Sustainability Centre and the RNCCA are creating a memory book in order to record all of the social history of HMS Mercury.

If you served at HMS and would like to share your memories then please get in touch or send us your stories in the form below.

    Add to our Memory Book 

RNCCA
Adopted Charity

Royal Naval Communications Chiefs Association 
We would like to thank the the RNCCA , who have adopted The Sustainability Centre as their charity.
  
They are very active supporters and wonderful fund raisers who have already supported us with donations. 

We are working together to sustain the relationship between The Sustainability Centre & The Royal Navy, preserving heritage links with the land and keeping the memories of MHS Mercury alive.   

Make a Donation

If you would like to make a donation in memory of your colleagues and times spent at HMS Mercury we would love to hear from you.

Support Our Education Programme

Natural Burial Ground

Part of the site of HMS Mercury is now a Natural Burial Ground. If you would like to find out more kindly click the button below.