One of Britain’s most famous wartime victories, fought against the combined French and Spanish fleets in 1805, has been celebrated in a village in West Cornwall. Sailors from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose paraded through the streets of Madron, near Penzance, on Sunday, 18th October, to remember the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Lord Nelson.
Led by the HMS Seahawk Volunteer Band, Royal Navy Ratings were joined by members of the Royal Naval Association and the Royal British Legion. The parade made its way to St Maddern’s Church, the same parish church that held the first thanksgiving service over 200 years ago, just days following the historic sea battle.
Organised by Madron Parish Council, the annual event is always held on the Sunday closest to 21st October. It was on this day in 1805, that an outnumbered British fleet of ships achieved victory under the command of Lord Admiral Nelson, who was mortally wounded during the battle.
The story goes that following the Battle of Trafalgar, the topsail schooner HMS Pickle set sail for Falmouth and along the way passed on news of the victory and the death of Lord Admiral Nelson to fishermen in Mount’s Bay. They promptly returned to Penzance and spread the news to town mayor, Thomas Giddy, who led a procession to Madron Parish Church where the Nelson Banner, which was hastily prepared to mourn the death of Nelson, was paraded for the first time. With the original banner exhibited at Penlee House Gallery & Museum, a replica of the banner is now kept in Madron Parish Church and paraded each year at this memorial service to his ‘Immortal Memory’.
Joining the Trafalgar and Nelson Thanksgiving Parade this year, Mayor of Penzance Cllr Andy Law commented: “It is a privilege to have been invited to be a part of the wonderful celebrations for Trafalgar Day. It is an honour to be continuing such an old and established tradition that began with Thomas Giddy, the Mayor of Penzance in 1805.
“What makes this event particularly exciting and meaningful though, is not just the historical tradition, but the present-day meaning, where the residents of Madron come together to celebrate their local community and to pay their respects to current serving armed forces personnel from RNAS Culdrose, Veterans and Sea Cadets. A huge thank you to everyone from Madron Parish Council and the church who have organised this commemorative service and keep it alive for the generations to come.”
Chairman of Madron Parish Council, Hugh Eddy added: “We’ve had a really good turnout today, and it’s quite a spectacle. It’s actually really good community relations, I think, and gives the residents of Madron the opportunity to see the Royal Navy parade through our village.”
Following the thanksgiving service in Madron Parish Church, the parade filed past Landithy Hall, where commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose executive officer Commander Andrew ‘Scooby’ Plenty took the salute.
Representing Penzance Council, the Mayor of Penzance was joined at the Trafalgar Day event by councillors Stephen Reynolds and Penny Young.
