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NAVY NEWS, AUGUST 2002
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Helonna Hands News in brief Appledore church echoes with goodwill
we*
SAILORS from HMS Echo, a new ship being built in Appledore, have been putting their efforts into finding funds for a local church appeal as a mark of gratitude for the generous welcome by the local community.
• Cdr Keith Blount, CO of HMS Somerset, shares a laugh with children from Baytree School
Folk (lock to see Somerset
GUESTS from all over Somerset gathered to spend the day with their affiliated frigate, HMS Somerset. All visitors were able to tour the ship and meet members of the ship's company. The Type 23's Lynx helicopter showed its abilities overhead with an exciting flying display.
Children from Baytrce School were also joined by pupils from Queen's College, Bridgwatcr College and Downside School. Youngsters from TS Wcston and the Bristol University Royal Naval Unit were also part of the crowds exploring the Type 23. Other guests included the Duke and Duchess of Somerset, Admiral and Lady Layard, the Bishop of Taunton, Lady Gass the Lord Lieutenant and mayors and councillors from Bath, Wells, Taunton and Sedgemoor.
The wheels on the bikes go round and round SPONSORED pedal-pushing over 650 miles is planned by the sailors of HMS Montrose from Plymouth to their namesake town in Tayside. The team of six aim to arrive in Montrose to coincide with the ship's visit for the Freedom of Angus ceremony. Each rider will spend six hours each day in the saddle. They will be crossing some very scenic - and distinctly hilly - parts of the British countryside, including the Peak District and North York Moors. Team leader Lt Andrew Snell said: "For each rider to be able to say that they rode the whole 650 miles will be quite an achievement. "Not mentioning any names, but one of the team has not ridden a bike in 12 years, so fingers crossed that he can still remember how to do it!" This money-making scheme will benefit Derriford Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Riding for the Disabled, and the Dystrophic Epidcrmolysis Bullosa Research Association.
NOW WE COVER
The Commanding Officer, Cdr Keith Blount, met with children from the ship's affiliated charity, Baytree School, on the bridge, and gave the school a cheque for £670. The money was raised by Somerset's chief petty officers who conducted a sponsored slim during the ship's last deployment.
HMS Echo is one of a new generation of survey ships, which gather data about oceans and navigational routes around the world. During the build programme, some of the ship's company have been working and living in Appledore. The vessel's future Supply Officer, Lt Neal Prest, decided to do something to thank the locals. Looking around for ways to give something back to the village, he came up with the idea that they would give the Seagate Hotel, where a number of the ship's crew are staying, a fresh coat of paint if the proprietors Mike and Carol Gent would donate over £1,000 towards the repair of St Mary's Church in the village. St Mary's has to raise £9,400 to complete vital repairs and restoration work to the 1840s building, and this money from the hotel painting will cover the majority of the cost of the clock repair. Lt Prest said: "We have been made to feel so welcome by the local community we thought it would be great if we could foster closer ties and do something to say thank you for their warmth and hospitality." Hotel owner Mike Gent said: "The crew members of HMS Echo have been great ambassadors for the Royal Navy. "It's been a pleasure to have them stay with us."
• THE Reverend Mike Brotherton of RNAS Culdrose has received an outstanding achievement award and a letter of congratulation from the Sharron Davies Swim for Life campaign for covering a distance of 474 miles and raising over £3,000 for the muscular dystrophy charity. • A NAVAL Leading Writer has established a golf trophy in memory of her husband, LWTR Alan 'Pads' Padbury. The keen sportsman lost his four-year battle with cancer last year, and his widow Sarah has presented the first recipient, Richard Hamilton, with the Alan Padbury Memorial Golf Trophy which will be won by an annual competition at Portsmouth Royal Navy Golf Club. • THE Royal Star and Garter Home's summer ball this year marked the 20th anniversary of the Falklands with a speech from Simon Weston, a vice president of the Home. The evening included an auction and dancing, and generated over £20,000 to support the disabled ex-Service residents. • THE Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal will gain when three Lancaster University students one a future Royal Marine - walk the West Highland Way then climb 4,300ft up Ben Nevis. The three hope to raise more than £500. • THE Jubilee Appeal for Commonwealth Veterans has now raised over £1.5 million. It aims to provide help and support to Commonwealth veterans around the world. This is the only one of the six Golden Jubilee charities nominated by the Duke of Edinburgh. • KEEN runners are required by the British Lung Foundation for the Bristol half-marathon in September. Call 0117 925 5810.
YOUR LITTLE A GROUP of children from Cliffdale Primary School visited Whale and Horsea Islands as part of their school project on 'islands'. WO Ian Thompson of JSU Northwood took on the task of planning the day out for the local Portsmouth schoolchildren with his wife, Ruth, who works at the school. The two jovial organisers and hosts from HMS Excellent were WO Barry Homer and PO Dawn Brown. Their juvenile visitors heard about how Whale Island was built using the soil excavated from Portsmouth Naval Base, with a full tour of the island, a visit to HMS Bristol, and a chance to glimpse the State Gun Carriage which was used for the funerals of Lord Mountbatten and Sir Winston Churchill. The children also got to see a Field Gun run in HMS Nelson, before crossing over to Horsea Island for a close-up look at sea survival training. The final highlight was a slap-up meal of fish, chips and doughnuts at the Horsea Restaurant.
Lofty hits lotto jackpot
• HMS Dryad's OM Lofthouse receives his £1,500 prize
LUCKY OM 'Lofty' Lofthouse from HMS Dryad scooped £1,500 just one month after joining the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Sports Lottery. Another big winner was CCMEA M. Hubbard who has now won on the Sports lottery three times! Once for £25, once for £150 and now the big prize of £4,000. £4,000 was also the jackpot for HMS Westminster's Charge Chief Morrison. He's been playing since the start of the lottery - and it's finally paid off! He wasn't Westminster's only winner, 18year-old MEA Maurccmootoo was called before the Type 23's CO to be told he'd won £1,500. HMS Collingwood also claimed a double. OM(C) Wayne Proctor gained £2,000, and OM(C) Lee Green had a bonus of £1,500.
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