Picture: CPO(Phot) Andy Gedge

Picture: LA(Phot) Jay Allen
Capital gains
YOU wait all year to visit your berthed alongside HMS Belfast. invited to open the London Boat All well and good, but for
hometown and then, wham, you
The ship’s company had the rest Show... alongside actress and model Westminster the ordinary public were
drop in twice in six weeks.
of the day to prepare for an offi cial Kelly Brook. There was, oddly, no of far greater interest.
Barely had the men and women of
reception for 120 local dignitaries, shortage of volunteers. “It’s been interesting to
HMS Westminster left the streets of
movers and shakers and affi liates. Not We could talk about Kelly all day speak to people and see what
old London than they were back in
least among visitors to the ship was the (please do – male members of staff), they think – especially kids,” said
the capital.
Duke of Westminster, for whom the but we’re Navy News, not FHM. S/Lt Ben Jeffrey.
2008 drew to a close with the
Type 23 is named. So back to battleship grey. “They were very knowledgeable –
frigate heading up the Thames to visit
Commanding Offi cer Cdr Ken Although the show was hard work and impressed. Most people
her affi liated city (that’s Westminster,
Houlberg paid his dues – a traditional for the ship’s company – the event was seemed very proud of the
not London as a whole).
‘tax’ imposed on visiting warships – at open daily from 10am until 6pm or Navy.”
And 2009 opened with the ship back
the Tower of London, as well as offi cial later – it was nevertheless a welcome More than 19,000 people
on the Thames, this time in Docklands
calls. But all these were preliminaries break from normal routine. visited the ship, and many
as this year’s RN representative at the
to the highpoint of the frigate’s visit. “We spent eight and a half months others met members of the
London Boat Show.
Now we said above that Westminster away from home last year,” said Cdr ship’s company in the ExCel
More of that later. First, back to the
stopped traffi c. Well she did it again, Houlberg. “The ship’s worked hard Centre itself, including the
ebbing days of 2008.
but this time not at rush hour. and this is a good reward.” Princess Royal.
Now we often say that impressive
On a bitingly cold Sunday morning, Westminster and her 170 sailors Affiliations were also high
sights ‘stop traffi c’. Well, in HMS
three quarters of the ship’s company weren’t the only public faces of the on the agenda, including the
Westminster’s case that’s true. The
formed up at Horse Guards with RN at the ExCel Centre. London Underground, St
bascules of Tower Bridge tilted, ‘rush
the Band of HM Royal Marines to Yachtswoman Dame Ellen Andrews Club, schools and Sea
hour’ became ‘stop hour’ and the
celebrate the freedom of the City of MacArthur (also an honorary Cadet units, and there was a
frigate glided through into the Upper
Westminster. lieutenant commander in the RNR) mass gathering of the London
Pool of London for a four-day stay,
There aren’t too many people or joined Rear Admiral Bob Cooling, Opinion Formers – all the lord
institutions privileged enough Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, at the mayors, consorts and deputy
to enjoy that honour – half a opening of the RN’s new recruitment lieutenants of the London
dozen in all, including Churchill stand. boroughs.
and Baroness Thatcher. Just so you don’t need to take your The frigate left the show to
“2008 was a busy year for the tape measure along, it’s 960ft
2
of conduct weapon and aviation
ship and the visit to London RN goodness, featuring interactive training off the South Coast,
was a very special one – a well- displays on the role of Britain’s naval and as Navy News went to press
appreciated reward for my service. was due to head east for a visit
sailors,” said Cdr Houlberg. Interactive displays are all very to Copenhagen.
“To have seen my ship’s impressive. Interactive people are
company proudly exercising even better. The stand is looked
their right to the Freedom after by half a dozen sailors –
of the City of Westminster bolstered during the show by the
will certainly be one of the presence of the Westminster crew.
memories that I will treasure “My lads and lasses are the best
for years to come.” ambassadors for the Royal Navy –
And talking of treasured they’re pretty good at setting a good
memories, here’s one some of impression,” said Cdr Houlberg.
the lads certainly won’t forget. Credit crunch or not, it didn’t
Picture: LA(Phot) Jay Allen The ship’s company was stop exhibitors targeting the
wealthy.
Land Rover used the event to
launch a new model (yours for a
‘mere’ £43k), while luxury yacht
firm Sunseeker unveiled their latest
30m vessel (you might get change
out of a £10m note).
● Clockwise from top: HMS
Westminster passes through
Tower Bridge; ET(ME) Shrimpton
and AB(Sea) Harper afl oat with
some essential reading at the
Boat Show; Kelly Brook joins
sailors from Westminster to open
the Boat Show; Westminster
fl oodlit alongside HMS Belfast;
sailors from Westminster exercise
the Freedom of the City
Picture: onEdition
Picture: LA(Phot) Jay Allen
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