Thursday 12:54
As Trafalgar Day approaches on Friday, the Royal Navy keenly awaits the raising of Admiral Lord Nelson's "England Expects" signal on HMS VICTORY to mark the beginning of a weekend of remarkable Trafalgar Bicentennial events across the country and the world. The Trafalgar 200 (T200) summer events involved the active participation of some 22,000 young people and children; the autumn programme will also involve significant youth participation as an important part of our future horizons theme.
Following the traditional memorial service on board the historic flagship in Portsmouth at 0845, wreaths will be laid on the quarterdeck where Nelson fell and on the Orlop deck where the revered Naval hero later died.
Across the capital and the country, the Royal Navy's flag the White Ensign will be raised for the first time flying from public buildings and flagpoles, Royal Navy warships will be dressed overall with signal flags. Eight bells will be struck at noon on warships around the world and Royal Navy shore-based establishments to mark the start of the battle 200 years ago.
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West GCB DSC ADC will lay a wreath at Nelson's tomb in St. Paul's Cathedral before travelling to Portsmouth to take part in a number of significant and unique events focusing around Portsmouth Dockyard and HMS VICTORY.
In Cadiz, Spain, frigate HMS Chatham is representing the Royal Navy, invited by the Spanish to provide a guard escort and take part in commemorative religious services and military parade, with wreath laying at the Spanish Naval Mausoleum and in central Cadiz. The ship will then sail in company with Spanish aircraft carrier Principe De Asturias, her frigate escort Reina Sofia together with French frigate Montcalm towards Cape Trafalgar where they will honour all those who lost their lives in the Battle of Trafalgar in a service at sea.
As the sun sets over Portsmouth harbour, Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh will light the Trafalgar Weekend National Beacon, beside HMS VICTORY, witness a special Beat Retreat by the Band of HM Royal Marines and the firing of an authentic 52-gun ripple "broadside" from HMS VICTORY. This will mark the occasion as Trafalgar Night dinners and parties across the land commence amongst not just naval personnel but many others around the world. The action in Portsmouth will be covered live on BBC2 from 6:30 to 7:30pm in "Nelson's Glorious Victory".
For the first time, Her Majesty The Queen's short speech and "Immortal Memory" toast to Admiral Nelson is planned to be broadcast live to the nation whilst dining with the Navy Board in Lord Nelson's Great Cabin in HMS Victory. Among the guests dining with The Queen will be the most Senior Commanding Officer serving afloat Captain Tony Johnston-Birt (HMS OCEAN) and one of the most junior, Lieutenant Trish Kohn (HMS TRACKER).
Sunday 23 October sees the Royal Navy T200 events focus on Trafalgar Square and London. 'The Trafalgar Parade' in Trafalgar Square from 11am will see the Sea Cadets joined in their annual parade by Royal Navy and Reservist personnel together with the Band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth. HRH the Duke of York, Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps, will be the Inspecting Officer and lead the laying of wreaths at Nelson's Column.
'The Trafalgar Service' in St Paul's Cathedral at 3pm will be attended by Their Royal Highnesses the Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales accompanied by The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke of York, The Princess Royal and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Afterwards, The Lord Mayor of London will hold a reception in the Guildhall, attended by HRH The Princess Royal.
In a fitting grand finale "T200 - The Spirit of Nelson", a major maritime theatrical show and presentation starts in Trafalgar Square from 6.30pm. In the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Michael of Kent, a public audience of 10,000 will witness the culminating spectacular event of the Royal Navy's Trafalgar 200 programme. The audience will enjoy an exciting and dynamic show that celebrates 200 years of British maritime endeavour and a look ahead to an exciting naval future. Incorporating Sea Cadets, school children, Royal Naval and Royal Marines personnel, there will be daring physical performance, including acrobatic 'free runners', special sound and light effects. Victory at Trafalgar will end the show, with Nelson's Column spectacularly illuminated. BBC2 will present a highlights programme of the year from Trafalgar Square from 8:00 to 9:00pm - "Trafalgar200: Nelson's Legend and Legacy".
For details of all the Trafalgar 200 events visit http://www.trafalgar200.com *For information about the National 'Trafalgar Weekend' Beacon and Trafalgar Weekend events call Bruno Peek on 01502 502626 or email info@trafalgarweekend.co.uk.
For broader maritime events, many of them supported by the Royal Navy, during 2005 visit http://www.seabritain2005.co.uk.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
T200 DETAILED ROYAL NAVY PROGRAMME
THURSDAY 20 OCTOBER
1000-1100 First Sea Lord Sir Alan West press conference MOD Main Building 1100-1200 First Sea Lord Sir Alan West photo call with "Living statue" of Lord Nelson Trafalgar Square.
1900 - Trafalgar Night Dinner in the Painted Hall, Old Royal Naval College Greenwich, with CINCFLEET as the Guest of Honour
FRIDAY 21 OCTOBER
Trafalgar Day at HMS VICTORY
From 0600 - TV and radio coverage from HMS VICTORY 0800 - Colours and Nelson's "England Expects" signal hoisted in HMS VICTORY. 0845 - 2SL Church Service onboard HMS VICTORY incorporating the laying of wreaths on quarterdeck, where Nelson fell and on the orlop deck, where he later died. (TV and radio coverage).
1000 - 1200 Special, free access, limited opening of HMS VICTORY to 821 members of the General Public, who will each receive a commemorative certificate.
1000 - 1530 Portsmouth Historic Dockyard open to general public at reduced cost (not all areas open).
1200 Eight Bells struck on all RN warships and shore-based establishments to mark the start of the battle.
1420 First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West formally opens Trafalgar Gate at HMNB Portsmouth
1500 Presentation of the Wedgwood Trafalgar Vase to The First Sea Lord by Lord Wedgwood in HM Naval Base Portsmouth Victory Arena.
1600 Royal Marine Brass quintet plays "Eternal Father" at the time of Nelson's death. (TV and radio coverage)
1800 HM The Queen, accompanied by HRH Prince Philip, arrives at a reception in the VICTORY Gallery for all guests attending Trafalgar Night dinners on board HMS VICTORY and in the Royal Naval Museum.
1845 National Beacon lit by HM The Queen beside HMS VICTORY setting off chain of beacons nationwide. Beat Retreat by The Band of HM Royal Marines, an authentic 52-gun ripple "broadside" will be fired from HMS Victory, witnessed by dinner guests, naval families, Sea Cadets and local schoolchildren. Live TV coverage of the event will be broadcast.
1945 Trafalgar Dinners on board HMS VICTORY, the Naval Museum and Royal Navy ships and shore side establishments around the country and abroad. 2005 - 2015 First Sea Lord speech and HM The Queen toast to the Immortal Memory planned to be broadcast live on BBC News 24 and Sky and later available on Sky, BBC and Royal Navy websites.
2300 News media coverage throughout the night.
Trafalgar Day London
Sunrise RN White Ensign Flags Fly from Public Buildings across London and UK until sunset on 23 October
1100 - Wreath-laying by First Sea Lord at Nelson's Tomb in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral. Attended by Sea Cadets and 35 invited guests. On completion, members of the public will be allowed to lay wreaths.
Trafalgar Day Cadiz, Spain (All times local)
0945 - Spanish led wreath laying and Commemoration Service at Spanish Naval Mausoleum, San Fernando with UK Royal Navy, Spanish and French Navy representation.
1145 - Military Parade, marchpast and wreath laying in Central Cadiz at Parque Genoves led by Spanish Military and presided by Spanish Minister of Defence. HMA Spain, Admiral Stanhope will lay a wreath and a small RN guard from HMS CHATHAM will take part in the Parade. Related descendants of Spanish/French and UK sailors present to witness events along with 18th Century costumed re-enactors.
1200 - 1300 Flotilla of private yachts, including UKSA's Gypsy Moth IV and Oyster owners, lay wreaths off Cape Trafalgar.
1600-sunset Official mourning declared in Cadiz.
1600 SNS PRINCIPE DE ASTURIAS, (aircraft carrier) SPS REINA SOFIA (frigate escort), HMS CHATHAM (UK Type 22 frigate escort) and FS MONTCALM (French frigate escort) sail for Cape Trafalgar.
1700 - Wreath laying off Cape Trafalgar.
1900 - Ships return alongside in Cadiz
SUNDAY 23 OCTOBER 2005
London - with the focus on Trafalgar Square
1100 - 1245 The Trafalgar Parade, Service and wreath laying - Sea Cadets, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Navy Reserves accompanied by Royal Marines Band.
1500-1600 The Trafalgar Service in St Paul's Cathedral for 2400 invited guests.
1830-2000 "T200 - The Spirit of Nelson" - Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column are the inevitable focus point for the T200 Grand Finale - a spectacular maritime show for up to 10,000 members of the public. A theatrical, action packed performance with dramatic soundtrack celebrating 200 years of British maritime endeavour featuring Sea Cadets RN sailors and marines together with acrobatic 'free runners' plus some memorable special effects.
For information about the National 'Trafalgar Weekend' Beacon and Trafalgar Weekend events call Bruno Peek on 01502 502626 or email info@trafalgarweekend.co.uk.
For broader maritime events, many of them supported by the Royal Navy, during 2005 visit http://www.seabritain2005.co.uk.
For details of all the Trafalgar 200 events and for press accreditation details visit http://www.trafalgar200.com email media@trafalgar200.com
