Most of the paperwork was finished and the filing done by Christmas so have spent some time sorting out the photographs from Battle Day and the AGM to go onto the website in the New Year

These were the wreaths that were laid at The Cenotaph in Whitehall, London during the service. Later at the Annual General Meeting David Tatham (on the left) stood down as Chairman and handed over to Alan Huckle.

Doug Lapsley, who runs the website for us has promised to update the website as soon as he gets back to work. I have updated the members page and that will go on line at the same time.

Back home after Battle Day which went off rather well after a few panics when problems on the train prevented two of the wreath layers getting to The Cenotaph on time. The weather was cold but dry with sunshine and when the police closed off the road for the ceremony it was quiet - thanks to WPc Ashley Silburn and her fellow officers from Charing Cross Police Station. Air Vice Marshall Tony Stables laid the wreath for the Armed Services, followed by the retiring Chairman of the FIA, David Tatham CMG, and the Hon Dick Sawle, an elected Member of the Falkland Islands Legislative Assembly, who laid wreaths for the FIA and the Falkland Islands Government respectively.

They were followed by Colonel Keeble DSO, standing in for Col Mike Bowles, for SAMA82; Mrs Ann Townsend, standing in for Mrs Sara Jones MBE, for the Falkland Families Association, Miss Eileen Turner for the Association of the Men of Kent and Kentish Men; Miss Karen Minto and Miss Laura Minto for the Young People of the Falkland Islands; Mr Doug Harris for the HMS Protector Association; and Mr Andrew Rosindell MP for the UK/FI All Party Parliamentary Group.

The colour parties came from the Royal Navy (HMS Collingwood), the HMS Protector Association and Pangbourne College with the escort provided by the cadets from Pangbourne College. CPO Bilbe RN took command of the parade under the supervision of the Parade Marshall, Air Commodore Peter Johnson. Royal Marine Bugler Dave Nevatte sounded the Last Post and Reveille during the service. Prayers were led by the Reverend Prebendary William Scott, Sub Dean of Her Majesty's Chapels Royal and Domestic Chaplain to the Queen.

A large company of members and friends were present to take part in the ceremony after which we moved to the HQ of the London Scottish Regiment in Horseferry Road for the FIA AGM. After a quick coffee to warm us up we settled down to the AGM. David Tatham presented the Executive Committee's report on the past year. He proposed the election of Alan Huckle as the new Chairman who then took over and quickly went through the elections of the officers and members of the Executive Committee for the coming year.

The Vice-Chairman, Saul Pitaluga, then proposed a vote of thanks to David Tatham which was followed by thanks from Hon Dick Sawle on behalf of the Falkland Islanders.

Miss Karen Minto, who is studying at Worcester College, Worcester, was presented with the Hunter Christie Memorial Prize for the Student of the year. The presentation was made by Mrs Merle Christie.

Once the business was over an excellent meal was served by our caterers, Just Joe's, and then members had a chance to meet other members and friends present. They also met the cadets from Pangbourne who joined us after the AGM following a quick trip around central London led by their RSM, Colin Hearn.

Photographs of the event were taken by Karen Clapp and Peter Pepper and a selection will appear on the FIA website at www.fiassociation.com once they have been processed.

Special thanks also to Laura Trueman at the London Scottish who made the arrangements in the hall.

Now to start on the plans for 2012!

Battle Day

I have been busy making the final arrangements for the Battle Day Ceremony in London on 10th December with the AGM afterwards. Due to a misunderstanding I failed to get a booking for the room at the Union Jack Club and we are returning to the London Scottish Regimental HQ in Horseferry Road for the AGM this year. It is about the same distance from The Cenotaph so we should be OK. I was suprised to be told that I had to carry out a Health and Safety Inspection of the premises before I could use the Hall!

I wish people would answer letters and emails - how long does it take to say "OK Col, no problems" especially with emails. I still haven't had a reply from the FCO despite a letter (the first formal approach) and two emails.

Whilst whinging about people not replying to emails and letters I emailed all the FI students at UK universities asking for an address to send the FIA Newsletter to them as so many sent last Spring had been returned "Gone Away". Eight out of 22 replied, one email bounced. Not quite sure what this response, or lack of it, means.

I also wrote to the FI students at Peter Symonds College, all eleven of them, with a copy of the Newsletter and an invitation for two of them to come to Battle Day and lay a wreath on behalf of the Young Falkland Islanders. That was only a week or so ago but so far not a whisper of a response, not even "No thanks". I write this in the hopes that the post on Monday or an email will restore my faith in the young Falkland Islanders.

Falkland Student in the UK

The FIA likes to keep in touch with young Falkland Islanders whilst they are in the UK attending College or University not least so that we can send them a copy of the Newsletter but invite them to participate in events that we organise. However, keeping a track of them is a problem as students, once they move on the Chichester or Winchester, seem to be forever on the move. A large number of the Newsletters mailed out are returned by the Post Office as Gone Away. As this represents a considerable waste of money I am attempting to use email to maintain contact and have today sent an email to all those students who are at university in the hopes of finding out where I can post their Newsletter. Wish me luck.

THIRTY YEARS ON - A CONFERENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF KENT

Details have arrived of a Conference at the University of Kent entitled "The Falklands Conflict 30 years on". The conference will open on Thursday 26th April, 2012 and ends on Saturday 28th April. The papers I have received say 'To mark the 30th anniversary of the conflict, the School of History and the Centre for Journalism at the University of Kent will unite policy makers, academics and reporters at a unique conference. Argentine and British historians of the conflict and journalists who covered it will share analyses, perspectives and memories with residents of the islands and service personnel who fought over them. The registration fee is £35 with reductions for students and South Atlantic Medal holders. Full residential costs including all meals and the conference dinner are £246.20 and day delegate rates are available. I await electronic copies of the application form and flyer from Professor Mark Connelly.

Our attention has been drawn to a serious error in the October Newsletter. On page 17 and 18 we have reported on the reception which was held in the Great Hall at Lincoln's Inn on 14th June 2011. The main heading which reads 'Lincoln's Inn Reception' is incorrect and should read 'Falkland Islands Government Reception at Lincoln's Inn'. There was a time when the FIA organised the event but since the establishment of the Falkland Islands Government office in London they have taken on this responsibility and the FIA assists with booking the Great Hall and makes a small contribution to the costs. We are all guests of the Falkland Islands Government at this event.

I have to admit that it was my mistake and apologise for the error. A correction and an apology will appear in the Spring 2012 Newsletter

The lapel badge for members of the Association has arrived. 2cm wide x 3cm fitted with a secure pin clip on the back they are available at £1.50p each plus £1 for post and packing from the Hon Secretary at 6 St Annes Road, Shrewsbury, SY3 6AU and they will be on sale at the AGM on 10th December 2011.

Birthday Greetings

A tweet from the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, reminds me that our Patron, The Rt Hon The Baroness Thatcher, celebrated her 86th birthday yesterday (13th October). I am sure all members of the Association wish her well and hope she had a happy day.

Who reads this?

Having mentioned this blog in my Hon Sec's note in the FIA Newsletter I wondered if the number of visitors to the blog would rise - a small blip has been recorded. 12 visits from the UK, 2 from Spain, 2 from India, and one each from Brazil, Germany and the USA.

I suspect the Indian visits may have resulted in the contact messages from the website from an Indian internet service provider offering to improve our profile on the internet.

Nobody has signed up as a follower so far as I can judge although that does require signing up to Google.

October Newsletter

After a frantic three weeks we have the October Newsletter printed and being packed for despatch to our members and others. I have received several address changes in the last three or four days - after the despatch lists were sent out so one or two copies will go astray although copies will be sent to the new addresses as well. I have already spotted one mistake, a word printed twice when once would have been enough! I won't tell you where so you will have to read it through. Despite my opening comments in the 'From the Secretary's Desk article' I didn't do it on purpose.

Venue for the AGM fixed at last

Whilst down in London last week I visited the London Scottish Regimental HQ in Horseferry Road to arrange our AGM after the Battle Day Ceremony in Whitehall on 10th December. I was also able to confirm that Just Joe's Catering who looked after us for many years before we went to the Union Jack Club will be handling the catering this year.

Now I can get the notices and booking forms out - this has been holding up the Newsletter which should be out later this week.

New Penguin News Website

Have just downloaded this weeks issue of Penguin News and discovered their new website has gone live. You can find it at http://penguin-news.com/. I thought how nice it looked and voted accordingly but when I checked the results of voting so far discovered that at 1300hrs BST 33 voters (46.5%) did NOT like it, 19 thought it Excellent, 9 voted for Good, 8 for OK and 2 Not Bad. That makes it 53.52% in favour. It will be interesting to see how the voting goes. I only have one comment concerning the download - the download files used to be named by date eg 20110909 which filed away nicely in date order. The new name pn16092011 doesn't and has to be changed so that it will file in order - I will let them know. There is an easy to use response form so lets hope any comments are posted there and not lost in the "Don't like it" vote

October Newsletter on target

Have spent much of the day checking through the mailing lists for the Newsletter. With over 3000 addresses in the system keeping it up to date is a chore - especially when they come back "Gone Away" with no clue as to whether they have just moved address or died!

Off to the printer on Tuesday next to make a final check of the proofs and then the presses roll. Only difficulty is the notice for the AGM as I am having problems with the venue!

Commonwealth Youth Games opening ceremony

Have just watched the opening ceremony at the CYG on the Isle Of Man. Best of luck to the Falkland Islands team - Sorrel Pompert-Robinson (swimming); Dominic Jaffray, Jordan Phillips, Laura Minto and Sonia Arkhipkina (badminton). Unfortunately a phone call made me miss the arrival of the FI team.

It's been a trying day

Discovered this morning that I had not booked the Union Jack Club for the AGM after Battle Day this year - I await with some trepidation to see if they can fit us in.

Then having managed to download the main part of the October Newsletter from the Islands and passed it to the printers we have hit a problem with the picture file which is a massive size and will used up all the available bandwidth to get it out of the Islands even using YouSendIt. Lisa is working on it.

So all fingers crossed.

New photographs on the FIA Website

The FIA website is now up to date with reports on the Wakehurst Place visit and the Falkland Island Government Reception at Lincoln's Inn. For the latter event an album of photographs is attached on the 'photos' page.

All thanks to Doug Lapsley of Citrus Media who maintains the website for us. Doug has a website page at www.citrus-media.co.uk which describes his activities but his other passion is photography and for some stunning pictures have a look at his website called Landscape Photography at www.frozen-light.co.uk.

Back from Bird Fair

I attended the British Bird Watching Fair over the past weekend - assisted on the Falklands Conservation stand and paid visits to FITB and FITT travel stands - good to meet old friends and new. Now to try and catch up with the post. Some new memberships have come in.

BIRD FAIR 2011

I'm off to the British Birdwatching Fair at Rutland Water - setting up today and then three days on the CJ Wildbird Foods Stand (in marquee 3 if your visiting). I also hope to be spending some time with Falklands Conservation, Falkland Islands Holidays and Falkland Islands Tourist Board, all of whom have stands at the show - see you there perhaps.

More on HMS Protector

I have been reading a report on the Comissioning Service for HMS Protector in Protector Post, the Newsletter of The HMS Protector Association, and this provided useful information for a note I am writing for the FIA Newsletter on this subject. The survey boat that will be carried on board the new Protector was named James Caird IV at the same event. Whilst in London today attending to FIA business at the Falkland Islands Government Office I was able to meet Sir James Perowne who was staying at the Union Jack Club and who had led the Protector Association contingent at the commissioning ceremony. He had presented Captain Sparkes with a solid silver 'Flaming Grenade' table lighter first presented to the ship in 1936 (see picture).  

Captain Sparkes, Keith Towle and Sir James Perowne

more pictures of the ceremony can be seen on The Protector Association website at http://www.hmsprotector.org click on 'Gallery' and follow the leads.

Pictures from Island Games on Isle of Wight

Karen Clapp sent me some pictures of the Falkland Islanders who took part in the Games in June this year - thanks Karen.

The team at their base camp.

The football team celebrates success in the small islands competition against Alderney

On the golf course - Troyd Bowles (I think!)

Trap Shooting - Saul Pitaluga

HMS Protector Commissioned

Someone kindly sent me details of the Commissioning Ceremony with the Order of Service that took place at Victory Jetty, Portsmouth Naval Base on 23 June 2011.

Battle Day planning starts

I usually start to plan the details of the December Battle Day this month but was surprised to get a call from the Metropolitan Police today enquiring about Battle Day 2012? It appears that as it is the year of the Olympic Games (four months before the ceremony) they are having to start planning already!

Battle Day ceremony at The Cenotaph 11 December 2010

It might mean that I can get most of the planning for two years done in one lot of letters but I doubt that. Interestingly Battle Day (8th December) falls on the Saturday in 2012 so we will be celebrating in London the same day as they celebrate in the Islands where they always mark the actual day - we have to go to the nearest Saturday.

Eileen Pickford update

Tony Creece, younger brother of Eileen Pickford (pictured below) who is still our undisputed oldest living Falkland Islander, has telephoned today. He points out that we got the birthday date wrong in the Newsletter - somehow between preparation of the article and publication the date changed from 20th October 1910 to 29th October 1910 so she is even older than we claimed! Sorry about that Eileen and Tony - we will put a note in the the next issue especially as Tony tells me that we got the name of his birthplace wrong as well - He was born on the Norwegian Whaling vessel 'Ørn' and not the 'Urm' as published. Whilst several people made have spotted the first error I guess few would have noticed the second - we do try but clearly sometime we fail to be perfect, but then who is!

Eileen Pickford at 100 + 2 days

Nat West Island Games on Isle of Wight

Just back from a holiday that included a visit to the Isle of Wight where we were able to watch some the Falkland Islanders competing in the event. Young Sorrell Pompert-Robinson was our only swimming competitor but managed to put insome of her best times in her events and came second in the heat we were able to watch. We also watched some of the football, golf, shooting and badminton where the Falkland Island competitors got some good results against much stronger competitors from some of the larger islands taking part. Saul Pitaluga's 10th position in the Automatic Ball Trap and Sarah Bowles 17th position in the Ladies Golf were both worthy of mention. We only had time for a little of the Badminston but our players fought hard against much stronger competition. In all the games the opportunity to compete against other Islands must have been valuable experience and I am sure we shall see some of our younger players again in future games. The weather was kind with plenty of sunshine so we had a good time and the players seemed to enjoy themselves. It was good to meet some of those taking part and in particular Ailie Biggs and Patrick Watts busy reporting back to the Islands the outcome of the various events. Ailie's audio reports were also of value to us in keeping us up to date in what was going on. No pictures I'm afraid as the camera played up. Well done to all involved from the Falkland Islands.

Some more pictures from the Visit to Wakehurst Place and MSB

Dominique Giudicelli has sent me some of her photographs taken during the visit

(see my post for 14th May)

At the Millennium Seed Bank - Michael Way (Head of Collecting & Network Support) welcomes our party to the MSB

Preparing to enter the vault where the seeds from around the world are stored.

A view through the window to the storage area - seeds collected from around the world.

Our special guest for the day, Toni Stevens from Port Sussex Farm in the Falkland Islands, views the seeds in the cold store, some from the Falkland Islands.

Thanks Dominique for some memories of a fascinating visit.

A few pictures from Lincoln's Inn

Peter Pepper acted as the FIA photographer at Lincoln's Inn this year and this is a small selection from his collection. Members and guests assembled in the Great Hall.

David Thatham, Nina Ashton and Bob Ashton

David Tatham, Sir Peter de la Billiere and Gerald Cheek

Patrick Watts, Richard and Mrs Ralphs with the youngest member present Freya Ralphs

Falkland MLA's Roger Edwards (on the left) and Dick Sawle (on the right) with FIG London Representative Sukey Cameron and Jeremy Browne MP, Minister of State FCO.

General Ian McKay-Dick and Sukey Cameron take the salute as the Grenadier Guards Beat Retreat

The band of the Grenadier Guards Beat Retreat and bring the evening to a close.

FIG Reps speech published on MercoPress

Sukey Cameron's speech at the FIG Reception in London on Tuesday of this week has been published on Merco Press at http://en.mercopress.com/2011/06/15/self-determination-and-self-sufficiency-falklands-message-to-the-world-on-liberation-day? source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily 

I wouldn't bother to read through the comments that follow on the MercoPress page.

Andrew Rollason MP seeks HMG support for the Falklands

Replying to a question from Andrew Rosindell MP asking that the Prime Minister remind President Obama that negotions with Argentina will never be acceptable to Her Majesty's Goverment the Prime Minister replied "as long as the Falkland Islands want to be sovereign British Territory, they should remain sovereign British Territory - full stop, end of story"

Reassuring words for the Islanders and for our members who support the Islanders wishes.

Reaction in Argentina was predictable. The Buenos Aires Hetald reported that President Kirshner said that the Prime Ministers statement was 'mediocre and almost stupid' revealing that the UK was 'a coarse colonial power'. The Argentine Foreign Ministry deplored the statement saying that 'in a regrettable act of arrogance, the UK claimed to have the authority to put an end to the unresolved conflict.'

Hit and miss press coverage

Whilst most of the papers ignored the FIG Reception in London and the celebrations in Stanley several papers including the Daily Mail and the BBC published details of a presentation by President Christina Kirchner of an Argentine identity card to Falkland Islander James Peck who now lives in Buenos Aires.

FIG Reception in London

Just back from the Falkland Islands Government Reception held in London on the 29th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands in 1982.

Despite delays caused by a major fire at Aldwych which led to the closure of many roads in the area including Waterloo Bridge most guests managed to make it to the reception which was held in the magnificent setting of the Great Hall at Lincoln's Inn when members of the FIA joined guests of the FIG to mark the occasion. The FIG Representative in London, Ms Sukey Cameron, began her speech saying " On this, the anniversary of our liberation we commemorate those who fought to uphold our right to self-determination in 1982.  As we continue to do our utmost to ensure that those who made the ultimate sacrifice did not do so in vain, we will also reflect on our successes and our ambitious plans for the future.

Members of the Argentine Government continue to seek international support for their claim to our country, and do what they can to disrupt our economy, but we are dynamic, resilient and resourceful people and will pursue economic development, and determine our future, regardless of the difficulties that may be put in our way.

Whilst we refuse to be de-railed or distracted by others’ agendas, it’s time for us to be more proactive in respect of our external relationships.  We are exploring new ways to deliver our key messages of self-determination and self-sufficiency.'

The full speech will shortly be published on the FIA website at www.http://fiassociation.com

After the speeches the band of the Grenadier Guards Beat Retreat on the lawns outside the Great Hill where the salute was taken by General Sir Ian McKay-Dick.

FIG is all a twitter

 

I see that the the Falkland Islands Government now has a page on Twitter. They have been tweeting almost daily and you can find it at

@FalklandsGov Falkland Islands - The official Twitter feed of the Falkland Islands Government

 

Thanks to subscribers

Just a note to thank all those members who renew their subscriptions at this time of year. Although the request was late going out with the delayed Spring Newsletter some 88 members have sent in subscriptions amounting to almost £1000 by the end of the month plus a couple who had forgotten they were already paying by Bankers Order!

Falkland Islands Radio Service

Finally found a good link to the FIRS via www.tunein.com . Previous attempts to listen via the FIRS website had failed to connect but this works well (so far). I have to remember that Stanley is 4 hours behind us and a I write this after lunch Ailie Biggs is presenting the "Morning Experience".

MV Polarbjorn (soon to be HMS Protector) enters Portsmouth Harbour

The Icebreaker MV Polarbjorn entering Portsmouth harbour in her new role as HMS Protector on 23rd May 2011. She will officially named on June 1st and commissioned into the Royal Navy on June 23rd.

Already bearing her name PROTECTOR and her number A173 she has completed a refit which moved the flight deck from above the bridge to the stern  as well as the installation of new equipment.

Thanks to Bill Pollington and the HMS Protector Association for the photograph.

Lisa Watson to be the new Editor of Penguin News

Finally got around to downloading Penguin News and its official, our FIA Newsletter Editor is to be Managing Editor of Penguin News as from 6th June taking over from Tony Curran, the present Editor.

Lisa assures us that she will still be able to find time to produce the FIA Newsletter which she has done for several years whilst she was at SeAled PR.

I am sure all FIA members will wish her well in her new post.

Newsletters have arrived in the Falkland Islands

Gerald Cheek has just emailed to say that the air freighted boxes of Newsletters have arrived in the Islands. This is probably the fastest the bulk delivery to the Islands - well done DHL and the air carrier.

NatWest Islands Games 2011

Discovered today that the Falkland Islands Overseas Games Association has opened a site on Facebook to report news on the attendance of Falkland Islanders at the Nat West Island Games on the Isle of Wight from 25th June to 1st July 2011. We know that entries have been submitted from seven sports clubs in  the Islands representing Athletics (4), Badminton (10), Football (18), Golf (6), Shooting - Pistol and shotgun (7),  Shooting - Full Bore (2) and Swimming (1) supported by 8 team officials and 3 managers (from the report in FIA Nesletter 100 by Mike Summers and Steve Dent) .

This event will give UK members a chance to go along and support the Falkland Islanders teams.

The author John Walker rang this morning to thank us for mentioning his book 'The Adventures of Rocky the Rockhopper' in the Newsletter. I had to tell him that we were happy to do so but so far no one had requested a copy. Early days yet but we have ten copies at £13.00 inc post and packing.

Subscriptions coming in

Thanks to all who responded to the request for prompt payment of subscriptions which have been flowing in this last week. The best envelope I have seen for some time came in today (see below).

The cheque that came with it was almost a work of art

Visit to Wakehurst Place and the Millennium Seed Bank

Up  early last Thursday to catch the train  from Victoria to Haywards Heath, then the bus to Wakehurst Place to meet members joining the tour of the Millennium  Seed Bank (MSB).  Weather fine, some cloud but dry.

The public Exhibition Hall at MSB

By 10.45am 22 Members and friends had gathered at the entrance where we were met by Michael Way, Head of Collecting & Network Support at the MSB who welcomed us and lead us through to the lecture room in the Seed Bank and gave us an introduction to the history and purpose of the Seed Bank. We were then introduced to Tom Heller who had been on two trips to the Falkland Islands collecting seed. His talk focused on the work of the MSB in the Islands and was illustrated by pictures taken during his visits. On our trip round the laboratories we saw seeds being tested for germination and then we descended a spiral staircase to the actual vault where thousands of seed samples are stored  including some from the Falkland Islands. Of 177 species in the Islands 155 are potentially suitable for dry storage and of these 109 have been collected;  of the 13 endemic species in the islands 12 are already in the bank  and of 23 species  that are Red-listed in the 1956 list of threatened species 10 have been collected.

Sculpture of the seed of Devil's Claw

Inside the vault we saw how the seeds were finally prepared and packed for storage and we were able to look through into the main storage area where the temperature is maintained at -20C.
At the end of the visit our Chairman, David Tatham, thanked Michael Way and Tom Heller for a most interesting talk and tour.

After viewing the area of the MSB which is open to the public we moved to the Stables restaurant for a meal and an opportunity to meet other members of the party. Members were then free to explore the gardens at Wakehurst Place before making their way home. The only rain shower passed through whilst we were in the Seed Bank! The gardens were full of colour although we didn't have time to explore the whole site I am sure many members will be visiting again in the future.

Error on the Subscriptions renewal form

Ted Clapp rang this morning to say that he had spotted an error on the form. It appears I have suggested that members joining since 1st December 2010 are paid up until 31st March 2013! It should have read 2012 of course - hopefully those concerned will not read too closely or will have forgotten by next year when I come on to them for the next subscription. We checked that form half a dozen times - spit!

Newsletter has arrived!

The FIA Newsletter arrived this morning, my personal copy that is, which had been despatched by the mailing house with all the rest so members should have them dropping through their letterboxes today. It will be interesting to see how many come back this time marked "Gone Away"

Spring Newsletter

Got home from the National Memorial Arboretum and discovered that a pack of the Spring Newsletters had arrived which means that the mailing has taken place but most will not now arrive until after the Bank Holiday Weekend. That means we are a month late so sorry folks - I had mentioned the Protector Event on my page in the Newsletter but sadly too late. We must make an effort to get the October issue out on time. That said I think it is a good issue with a wide range of articles. Unfortunately Lisa had to cut our report on the AGM and Battle Day down to get everything in however, if you are reading this you will be able to go to the FIA website and read the report there also see the pictures of the Battle Day Ceremony in London. The wreaths that were laid on that occasion remained on The Cenotaph up until early April although I noticed whilst watching the Royal Wedding on Friday that they had all been cleared away.

HMS Protector Association at the National Memorial Arboretum

Visited the National Memorial Aboretum at Alrewas in Staffordshire today. Always a special place but today I met up with the HMS Protector Association who were holding a Memorial Service as part of their Annual Reunion.

The Guard of Honour and Colour Party was formed by Sea Cadets from TS Indomitable, Long Eaton and at 11.30am we gathered at the Oak Tree and Bench dedicated to HMS Protector where a brief service of Remembrance was led by the Chaplain, Revd Dr James Izzard. Bugle Major Adrian Harper RM played Last Post and Reveille. Bill Bartlett laid the wreath

Members of the Association then formed up and marched past the saluting dias where Admiral Sir James Perowne took the salute. The parade was led by the sea cadets followed by the Association Standard and members of the Association.

Members then moved to marquee for the Service of Remembrance led by Rev Izzard, the lesson was read by Charles Bergfeld. Following the service Sir James Perowne addressed the assembled company before refreshments were taken. Members then had time to explore the memorial site before returning to Coventry for the Reunion.

A splendid day in good company with lovely weather.

The HMS Protector Oak tree and Memorial Bench