Ships Visit - October 2007
The 2nd HMS Manchester Association were delighted to receive an invitation from the current Commanding Officer, Cdr David Dominy, Royal Navy, to spend a day onboard. The lucky recipients - who travelled from far and wide were -
Stevie Swaine (Kent)
Paul Sheppard (Cornwall)
Cameron "Willy" Hackett (Lancashire)
Kim Darker (Hertfordshire)
Jonathan "Happy" Day (Bedfordshire)
Bill "Slim" Richards (Berkshire)
Sam Wellens (Cambridgeshire)
along with local shipmates -
Terry Partington and Dave "Scouse" Hayward
All of whom embarked on this little adventure with more alacrity than when they themselves were onboard!!
Former CY Scouse Hayward was first onboard - he didn't want to miss Colours or the Leaving Harbour brief, former gun buster Terry Partington was able to brief his relief 9 times removed on how to spend 10 minutes in the turret and 10 hours in the Mess, whilst retired Shipwright Sam Wellens found himself in the very unfamiliar surroundings of the MCR. Meanwhile, one of our number had completely forgotten his ship knowledge, and once in a certain Senior Rates Mess couldn't find his way out!!
There was however one poignant moment for one of our shipmates, when on entering the PO's Mess, "Scouse" Hayward spotted the "barrel" bell his late father presented to the PO's Mess during the ships visit to Manchester / Liverpool in 1989. (There is of course no record of Scouse ever ringing it!).
The 2nd HMS Manchester Association would like to thank Cdr Dominy for his kind invitation and Lt Cdr Scotty McCallum for arranging the extra places. The Association would also like to thank those members of the current ships company for their kindness and consideration during the visit.
All the 2nd HMS Manchester Association members agreed that there have been many changes since our day.....except one.... Naval Hospitality is still as good as it ever was!
