Warship’s weekend visit gets Jubilee joy off to a great start - Official Press Release
A three-day visit to Lyme Regis by the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Edinburgh proved a huge success, and a massive attraction for thousands of residents and visitors to the town.
The Type-42 warship arrived on May 18th, anchored within full view of the town and then played a vital part in the weekend’s activities, a key element of which was the naming of the Jubilee Pavilion on Marine Parade.
The week-end formalities began when Edinburgh’s Captain, Commander Nick Borbone, together with Commander Tom Herman, called on Mayor Sally Holman and Town Clerk Mike Lewis, to discuss plans for the following days.
This was followed at 6pm by a civic reception for Commander Borbone and thirty of the ship’s company at the Guildhall with the Mayor Councillor Sally Holman, councillors and council officers.
Later there was a reception at the home of Dorset ‘s Deputy Lieutenant Minnie Churchill.
The evening ended for some of the ship’s company with a visit to one of the town’s best-loved hostelries, The Nag’s Head !
On Saturday Lyme Regis Gig Club challenged Edinburgh’s crew to races, and later there was even more exertion as the sailors faced Lyme Regis footballers at the Davey Fort ground. With the Lyme Regis team suffering a little after their presentation evening, the outcome was a very friendly 3-3 draw.
Saturday also saw trips to the warship for those 180 lucky enough to have obtained tickets for a guided tour on board. Cadets from Bridport and Woodroffe School also went out to the ship.
On Sunday afternoon, the ship’s company provided a superb ceremonial addition to the official naming of the Jubilee Pavilion by the Mayor, Councillor Sally Holman and former Mayor Councillor Barbara Austin, MBE.
Royal Marines fanfare trumpets and a Guard party from the warship gave a fine display of military precision. And Lyme Regis Town Band provided a musical build-up and marches for the ceremony.
Later in the day there was a reception on board Edinburgh for the Mayor, civic party and guests.
As HMS Edinburgh left Lyme Bay later on Sunday evening, Mayor Sally Holman said: ‘It has been a wonderful week-end, a tremendous start to the Jubilee celebrations.
‘Watching Edinburgh depart was an incredibly moving end to a memorable weekend. We were bowled over by the welcome we received from the warship’s company, Lyme has taken Edinburgh and her sailors to our hearts and I know we have a very special place in theirs!”
Richard Horobin, Official press officer
Published on 24/05/2012.
