HMS Edinburgh Affiliates Day, Portsmouth
Following the historic visit of HMS Edinburgh to Lyme Regis on 18‑20th May this year for the naming of the Jubilee Pavilion in honour of the Queen, Mayor Sally Holman kept in touch with the ship at the invitation of the Commanding Officer, Captain Nick Borbone RN.
‘Lyme reacted with great enthusiasm to the spectacular visit of HMS Edinburgh, the part they played in our naming ceremony, and the way some of the ship’s company joined in activities in town and made friends here. I was keen that we would share the final deployment of this splendid ship, and was delighted when I received an email from the Captain telling me about training in Plymouth, to be followed by a return to Portsmouth and a period of leave for the crew and saying that he had made the Mayor of Lyme Regis an official Affiliate.
Mayor Sally Holman and Harbourmaster Grahame Forshaw MBE, give Commanding Officer HMS Edinburgh, Captain Nick Borbone RN, a photograph of Lyme's harbour in a winter gale, in the Captain's Cabin just before leaving the ship on the Affiliates Day
I was also delighted to accept an invitation to an Affiliates day at Portsmouth where the ship was undergoing final preparations for the deployment. September 13th was a perfect day, weather, sea conditions, hospitality and an experience at sea which I will never forget. Although a large vessel, she maneuvered almost like a RIB but without the bumps, executed tight circles and zig-zags and accelerated to 30 knots smoothly, amazing! The defensive weapons were fired, we watched from the bridge wings and her helicopter joined in the exercises. We were hosted by Petty Officer Mac, who showed us the radar turret where he tracks incoming and outgoing missiles, and Chief Warfare Officer Kevin (who remembers being a guest at a party on the Cobb, among other things!)’, said Sally.
‘Standing behind the Captain as they brought the ship back into Portsmouth was a fantastic experience , the pilot does not take over like on a commercial vessel, the Captain maintains command, and the tugs were so effective. I enjoyed every moment,’ she added.
The Mayor was accompanied by Harbour Master Grahame Forshaw, MBE, who played a key role with harbour staff during the visit of HMS Edinburgh to Lyme. The Mayor presented Commanding Officer Borbone with a Richard Austin photograph of our harbour in a winter gale.
HMS Edinburgh returning to the Victoria Pier on 13 Sept, her berth before leaving for the Falklands on 24 Sept
‘The next step is to get together some presents to send the ship, not cakes and goodies which I understand are well supplied by the families of her ship’s company, but maybe some reminders of Lyme, which I am advised will be appreciated, the Lyme Jubilee booklet which has a video of the naming ceremony, as well as messages for Christmas. HMS Edinburgh will be spending Christmas in the Falklands, as you no doubt know. I am setting up a small ‘Lyme’s Friends of Edinburgh’ group as I know many others were thrilled by this ship. We are making a video of Edinburgh’s May visit and will be interviewing some of the Gig club rowers, RNLI crew, footballers, hosts and individuals who were involved. If you are keen to contribute, can offer some expertise, do get in touch saying how you might be able to help. Any admin help will be appreciated. Of course we will continue to be in touch with our Affiliation Officer by email’.
Sally’s email address is
Published on 17/10/2012.
