British Royal Navy crew offer community services
Sailors from the British Royal Navy have rolled up their sleeves recently to help improve the local community facilities in Bahrain.
According to the British Embassy in Manama, two mine countermeasure vessels, namely HMS Bangor and HMS Penzance, were in Bahrain during their deployments to the Middle East.
Members of both the ships’ companies were keen on sharing their time and skills when they were offered the opportunity to tidy up St Christopher’s Cathedral and the Bahrain Christian Cemetery in advance of the planned Remembrance Day commemorations.
Christopher Butt, Dean of St Christopher’s Cathedral, has offered the crew members of HMS Bangor and HMS Penzance an opportunity to get involved with the local community. Several crew members were quick to offer their services to the Cathedral which is an Anglican Church in Manama.
Some volunteers from HMS Bangor painted the community facilities of St Christopher’s Cathedral whilst others worked hard to restore the historic ship’s bell presented to the Cathedral in 1956 by Captain Charles Kendall.
Butt said: “I would like to thank all those who came to paint and for all the hard work on the bell. It really has transformed and smartened up the Cathedral surroundings, which are used by a wide variety of groups in the community.”
Padre Mark Davidson, who arranged the Royal Navy’s participation in the voluntary work, said: “The church buildings are used by more than 30 faith groups and charities, which include some of the poorest people on the island. By helping renovate these buildings, the Royal Navy is helping those who need it most.”
Following on HMS Bangor’s good work, 15 personnel from HMS Penzance met Butt at the Bahrain Christian Cemetery to help with cleaning, tidying and setting up the cemetery prior to the service of remembrance. The crew members swept the paths, laid out tables and chairs and even chopped up and disposed of a large fallen tree.
They found it a rewarding experience. Lieutenant Dodd, the executive officer and second in command of Penzance, said: “The crew immediately identified with the importance of preparing the cemetery and worked hard to ensure that it was at the standard required for the following day.”
Several members of HMS Penzance company returned to the cemetery on November 11 to participate in the remembrance service. The service involved personnel from 20 nations, including representatives from the United States Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and the British Armed Forces within Bahrain, as well as Defence Attaches, consular staff and representatives from expat clubs and societies.
There was a strong Royal Navy presence at the service, including the UK Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Will Warrender, and some of his staff, and the Commanding Officers of HMS Penzance, HMS Chiddingfold and HMS Bangor. One of HMS Penzance’s crew who attended the clean-up and the service, Able Seaman Bailey, said: “It was a fitting service which was very respectful to those who had fallen in the battle. I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to take part in the preparation for such an important event in the Services’ calendar.”
Photo Caption: A representative photo of a British Royal Navy ship
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