HMS Sultan Summer Show in Gosport is cancelled by Royal Navy - and replaced with tech event

The HMS Sultan Summer Show, which raises tens of thousands of pounds for charity each year, will not be taking place this year.

Instead, a technology-themed event will be held inside the naval base later this year.

The Sultan Show has been a mainstay in the town for many years, with attractions such as the monster trucks and children’s motorcycle display teams.

In 2018, the weekend also raised £30,000 for charities in the surrounding area.

The news has been met with sadness by many.

Malcolm Dent from the Gosportarians said: ‘I know the navy has been thinking of radically changing the show for some time, even though it’s something people really look forward to.

‘For us it’s a huge shame because last year we raised £700 with a stall at the event – so we’ll lose out this year.

‘I worry that this means things like the funfair and monster trucks won’t return either; the children will be devastated by that.’

In an email seen by The News, staff at HMS Sultan confirmed the show will be replaced by Sultec, a technology-driven affair described as a ‘radical change’ to the Summer Show format.

There, tech-themed acts and attractions will take centre stage inside one of the hangars at the base.

Gosport mum Tammy Kent, 44, has been to the Sultan Summer Show every year.

She says it’s ‘a bit mad’ that it won’t be returning.

‘It’s a shame because it means we probably won’t have the monster trucks, which I love,’ she said.

‘I feel bad for the kids on the motorcycle display teams too because it was great for them to perform.

‘We’ll still go to Sultec to check it out, but in my mind there wasn’t anything wrong with how it was before.’

Sultec will be taking place on Saturday, May 16.

A spokesman for HMS Sultan said: ‘For 2020, the decision was made to offer the public a different type of event to the traditional Summer Show. As the home of Royal Navy Marine and Air Engineering, the Establishment wanted to provide the public with the opportunity to see some of its outstanding training facilities, be inspired by the exciting world of STEM and feel part of HMS Sultan, akin to the Open Day at HMS Collingwood.

‘The event will take place inside of the establishment centred around the parade ground and adjacent buildings, enabling the navy to effectively showcase a selection of the world-class marine and air engineering training undertaken, alongside some of the more familiar traditional aspects of the Summer Show.’

The spokesman said that while monster trucks would not appear this year, they may return in future, and said: ‘This year’s event will include many new and exciting exhibits and displays, both on the ground and in the air. Titan the Robot, Guinness World Record holders from Gravity Industries jet suit pilots and the giant robot spiderlike hexapod the Mantis will all appear alongside more traditional displays from Royal Navy VCC Field Gun, HMS Sultan Volunteer Band and the Solent Stars Children’s Motorcycle Stunt Team.’

The spokesman added: ‘Although Sultec20 has replaced the traditional show, the key event aim of raising money for charities remains. This is the first of its type and exact stall ratios have not been decided.’