HMS SPLENDID
HMS Splendid S106 (Swiftsure Class Submarine) was affiliated to Blackpool for some years. Her crew made a number of visits to Blackpool, where they carried out extensive voluntary duties and attended a number of Social events. They almost had the honour of the Freedom of the Borough bestowed upon them, but more of that below.
She was launched in 1979 and excelled in a successful time at sea: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Splendid_%28S106%29
Premium Article !Your account has been frozen. For your available options click the below button."A splendid day for honoured sub crew ."
(Published Date: 11 May 2004)
It was a bittersweet celebration for the crew of Blackpool's adopted ship HMS Splendid.
Blackpool Mayor Coun Lily Henderson last night presented civic gifts to the submariners in a ceremony marking a relationship between the vessel and the resort which dates back to 1991.
But the honour comes just months after the decommissioning of the nuclear sub, which was on active service when the crew were originally due to receive the Freedom of the Borough.
Aat Carel, civic officer at Blackpool Council, said: "We were about to give the ship's crew the Freedom of the Borough but that never materialised because it had been out on operational duties, so we have never been able to thank them for what they have done.
"They have done a lot for charities in the town as well as for the sea cadets so it is a thank you ceremony for some of the officers and crew."
The submarine, one of five S-class vessels in the Royal Navy fleet, saw active duty in waters near Kosovo during the Balkans conflict in 1999 and also during the latest conflict in Iraq.
During its association with the town some of the crew raised funds for the children's ward at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Town hall bosses announced that HMS Splendid would get the Freedom of Blackpool in January last year. But the honour was never bestowed because the vessel was on standby for war with Iraq. So instead the borough presented cut glass candle holders and bowl to mark Splendid's historic link with the town.
The eight crew members present at the Council Chamber ceremony were:
Lt Cdr Peter Noblett, Lt Dougie Burt, CPO Scott Young, CPO Jason Pugh, PO Tony Robinson,
PO George Scott, Leading Seaman Tommy Nimmo and Seaman Ed Munro.
HMS Penelope, the ship previously associated with the town, was given the Freedom of the Borough back in 1990.
Lt Cdr Peter Noblett, executive officer on HMS Splendid said: "It is a great honour to be invited to Blackpool to receive these civic gifts.
"Every ship in the fleet has an adopted town and I can say without doubt that Blackpool is among the best I know of.
"Since I became executive officer the Mayor of Blackpool has been up to see us at Faslaine several times. It is nice that they were able to be present."
As well as receiving gifts the crew brought with them a plaque and a photograph of the submarine which were presented to the Mayor.
Lt Cdr Noblett said: "I know they already have several photographs and plaques but we thought that the Mayor, Coun Lily Henderson might quite like to be able to keep one."
The officer said it had been sad to leave HMS Splendid when her years in service ended, but things have to move on.
He said: "It was a sad day to leave the ship but she has served her purpose well and time does not stand still."
Coun Henderson praised the sailors. She said: "Short of giving them the freedom of the borough this is the greatest honour we can give them and are very proud to do so."
During its years in service HMS Splendid made naval history.
The ship, which displaced 4,900 tons when dived, was the first Royal Navy submarine to carry the Tomahawk land attack missile.
Apart from the new capability of attacking land targets, HMS Splendid could target enemy surface ships and submarines and provide surveillance while remaining undetected.
It is now due to be scrapped.
Extract from the Blackpool Evening Gazette, 11May 2004
She was launched in 1979 and excelled in a successful time at sea: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Splendid_%28S106%29
Premium Article !Your account has been frozen. For your available options click the below button."A splendid day for honoured sub crew ."
(Published Date: 11 May 2004)
It was a bittersweet celebration for the crew of Blackpool's adopted ship HMS Splendid.
Blackpool Mayor Coun Lily Henderson last night presented civic gifts to the submariners in a ceremony marking a relationship between the vessel and the resort which dates back to 1991.
But the honour comes just months after the decommissioning of the nuclear sub, which was on active service when the crew were originally due to receive the Freedom of the Borough.
Aat Carel, civic officer at Blackpool Council, said: "We were about to give the ship's crew the Freedom of the Borough but that never materialised because it had been out on operational duties, so we have never been able to thank them for what they have done.
"They have done a lot for charities in the town as well as for the sea cadets so it is a thank you ceremony for some of the officers and crew."
The submarine, one of five S-class vessels in the Royal Navy fleet, saw active duty in waters near Kosovo during the Balkans conflict in 1999 and also during the latest conflict in Iraq.
During its association with the town some of the crew raised funds for the children's ward at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
Town hall bosses announced that HMS Splendid would get the Freedom of Blackpool in January last year. But the honour was never bestowed because the vessel was on standby for war with Iraq. So instead the borough presented cut glass candle holders and bowl to mark Splendid's historic link with the town.
The eight crew members present at the Council Chamber ceremony were:
Lt Cdr Peter Noblett, Lt Dougie Burt, CPO Scott Young, CPO Jason Pugh, PO Tony Robinson,
PO George Scott, Leading Seaman Tommy Nimmo and Seaman Ed Munro.
HMS Penelope, the ship previously associated with the town, was given the Freedom of the Borough back in 1990.
Lt Cdr Peter Noblett, executive officer on HMS Splendid said: "It is a great honour to be invited to Blackpool to receive these civic gifts.
"Every ship in the fleet has an adopted town and I can say without doubt that Blackpool is among the best I know of.
"Since I became executive officer the Mayor of Blackpool has been up to see us at Faslaine several times. It is nice that they were able to be present."
As well as receiving gifts the crew brought with them a plaque and a photograph of the submarine which were presented to the Mayor.
Lt Cdr Noblett said: "I know they already have several photographs and plaques but we thought that the Mayor, Coun Lily Henderson might quite like to be able to keep one."
The officer said it had been sad to leave HMS Splendid when her years in service ended, but things have to move on.
He said: "It was a sad day to leave the ship but she has served her purpose well and time does not stand still."
Coun Henderson praised the sailors. She said: "Short of giving them the freedom of the borough this is the greatest honour we can give them and are very proud to do so."
During its years in service HMS Splendid made naval history.
The ship, which displaced 4,900 tons when dived, was the first Royal Navy submarine to carry the Tomahawk land attack missile.
Apart from the new capability of attacking land targets, HMS Splendid could target enemy surface ships and submarines and provide surveillance while remaining undetected.
It is now due to be scrapped.
Extract from the Blackpool Evening Gazette, 11May 2004