H M S Manchester

A group of Ellesmere pupils were recently invited to join the crew of HMS Manchester and be part of the ceremony when the ship�s company received the Freedom of the City.

Last weekend, Lt. Frank Brooke, Officer in Charge of the Combined Cadet Force Naval Section at Ellesmere College accompanied Cadet Petty Officer Richard Valentine, Cadet  Peter Thomas, Cadet Jed Denham, Cadet Jonathan Steggles and a group of parents on board HMS Manchester whilst the ship was moored in Liverpool docks for a two-day visit.

HMS Manchester is Ellesmere College�s Combined Cadet Force Naval Section�s affiliated ship. The Captain, Commander William Evans warmly welcomed the Ellesmere Cadets on board and commented how pleased he was to see members of the Ellesmere College Naval CCF unit present.

Saturday was spent having a guided tour around the ships' facilities and lunch with her crew. On the Sunday the cadets took on an active role on parade with the Ship�s Company who were receiving the Freedom of the City of Manchester. The Ellesmere Cadets were the markers for the crew�s compliment who marched in front of the Town Hall in the City Centre.

Lt. Frank Brooke commented: �The cadets were introduced to a number of local dignitaries', including the Mayor of Manchester. It was a very pleasant two days and an honour for the unit to be invited to take part in such a historical event for HMS Manchester.�

2nd March 2006  Back to News