Crew of HMS Trafalgar to march through the city
THE crew of the submarine HMS Trafalgar will be exercising their right as Freemen of the City of Lancaster for the last time on Saturday (December 12).
The submarine and its predecessor, HMS Dreadnought, have a long association with the district, and in particular Morecambe, and in 1993 the crew were made Honorary Freemen of the city.
With the submarine being decommissioned this year, the crew must return the Freedom Scroll, which sets out their rights as Honorary Freemen.
Before they do, they will be undertaking their last march through the city.
With the permission of the mayor, the march will leave Lancaster Priory at 11am, turn right at Waterstones, up King Street, into Common Garden Street and Brock Street, and across the traffic lights to Lancaster Town Hall.
There the mayor will take the salute on the steps, before welcoming them into the town hall for a reception.
In addition to exercising their right to march through the city, the crew will visit Morecambe Football Club and other sites in the district.
The Mayor of Lancaster, Coun Roger Sherlock, said: “The final march by HMS Trafalgar will be a moment of both joy and sadness. On the one hand we’re looking forward to welcoming them to the district, but on the other we are losing a valued friend.
“I hope as many people as possible are able to come out and wish them bon voyage.”
In recognition of Morecambe’s long association with the submarine, the end of the Stone Jetty will be renamed Trafalgar Point.
The renaming ceremony could unfortunately not be arranged in time for this week’s visit but will take place in the Spring of 2010.
Further information about these events is available from the Mayor’s Office, Lancaster City Council, Town Hall, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ, telephone 01524 582070 or by email at mayor@lancaster.gov.uk.
Date Updated: 08/12/09