Huntingdon Branch: Trafalgar Night Dinner, 20 October 2018
On Saturday 20th October 2018, shipmates from Huntingdon & District Branch, Royal Naval Association, held their annual Trafalgar Night Dinner at the Black Bull in Godmanchester.
Our guest of honour for the evening was the Mayor of Godmanchester, Councillor Sarah Conboy; we were also pleased to have the Reverend David Busk, St Mary’s Church, Godmanchester with us, as well as members of the Royal British Legion, T.S. Cromwell S.C.C, the U.S. Army, members of the Royal Naval Reserves and of course, members of the Royal Naval Association and their families and friends.
The evening began with the Branch President, shipmate Karl Webb giving a welcome speech to all attending and to pass over to shipmate Victor Lucas, as a Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, to read a letter from Her Majesty the Queen wishing us all an enjoyable evening.
Presentations followed, beginning with a cheque to Huntingdon Sea Cadets to allow a young cadet the chance to spend a week onboard T.S. Royalist. The Mayor of Godmanchester was also presented a RNA plaque to thank her for attending.
On each table was a programme giving details of the evening’s proceedings, a short history of Nelson and of the Battle of Trafalgar. Shimate Karl Webb then presented the submariners and Royal Marines contingent with their own special version of the menu/programme…a colouring book complete with felt tip pens to keep them occupied. Royal Naval humour at its best.
Shipmate Catherine Fearon then piped ‘Hands to Dinner’, all guests were invited to stand for the Silent Tribute for shipmates that have crossed the bar, and then the Reverend David Busk said Grace before everyone took to their seats to eat.
After dinner, shipmate Graham Murray thanked the staff for looking after us for the evening, then shipmates Mark Fearon and Nino Crean issued the tot of rum to all attendees.
Three toasts were to take place, first the Loyal Toast was given by shipmate Victor Lucas, a toast to the President of the United States (as we had a serving U.S. Army sgt in attendance) was given by shipmate Bill Small, and finally, the Toast to the Immortal Memory was given by shipmate Karl Webb.
The after-dinner entertainment was provided by shipmate Pete Aston, with his assistant, shipmate Hilary Meers-Webb. A game of Play your Cards Right, this went down very well with shipmate Karl Webb winning hands down.
Finally, shipmates held a raffle, plenty of prizes were available and most managed to come away with a prize of some sort.
The evening was a great success, a lot of hard work went into arranging it and this was easy to see as all went very smooth on the night. Well done everyone, we will look forward to next year’s dinner.
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