October 27 2014.


The battle of Trafalgar and the Immortal Memory of Admiral Lord Nelson were commemorated by members of the Seahaven Branch of The Royal Society of St. George on Trafalgar Day, (the 21st of October). A formal dinner was held at Deans Place Hotel in Alfriston where members and guests heard details of the Battle from the branch’s chaplain, Revd. David Farrant, who is also Chaplain to Area 3 of the Royal Naval Association (Southern Flotilla).

To add to the naval flavour of the evening, guests included members of Training Ship TS Defiance, the Sea Cadet Corps HQ at Newhaven, including two young cadets in uniform, Able Cadet Stephen Bailey and Cadet Charlie Knight.

Four members of the Newhaven Station of the National Coastwatch Institute were also present, led by David Crozier. It is the tenth anniversary of the station so the Seahaven Branch of The Royal Society of St George wanted to present them with a useful gift to mark the occasion. They needed a sturdy trolley that could go up and down steps to help moving equipment, especially for their fund raising efforts. Branch President Laurie Holland made the presentation to them.

The guest of honour was Joanna Cadman who this year became the first lady to be made Chairman of The Royal Society, which has branches throughout the world. In her address she praised the Seahaven branch for its activities to promote England, Englishness and St George’s and England’s National day, April 23rd.

In welcoming the guests, Chairman Bob Peedle MBE praised the work of the Cadets forces and the NCI, all of whom rely on volunteers to succeed at their work. He also pointed out that HMS Defiance, a name shared by the local Sea Cadet Corps, was one of the ships at Trafalgar.

Forthcoming branch events were announced, including a lunch at Deanlands during November, a Christmas lunch at the Green Man at Ringmer in December and of course the celebration of St George’s Day on 23rd April 2015. This event will be one of those where the branch welcomes non-members. The others are HM The Queen’s Birthday, Battle of Britain Day each year on 15th September and Trafalgar Day.