The Association of Old Worcesters Portsmouth 2012 Reunion Wednesday 20th to Friday 22nd June Home. Shop. Videos & Pics. Portsmouth. Events. Events 2. Contacts. Mail: coandlo@onetel.com Events and Locations Page 2 Friday 22nd June
Lunch at the Royal Navy and Royal Albert Yacht Club.
All good things come to an end and the Reunion closed with our farewell lunch in the wonderful setting of the Royal Navy & Royal Albert Yacht Club in Old Portsmouth. In spite of the scaffolding outside the entrance and the strong winds which almost blew us over we were all safely welcomed inside by David Precious (1959) and made as comfortable (as possible) by the staff of the Club.
John Marden (1967), our Vice-Chairman sent us on our way with final words of appreciation and with lasting memories of three special days in the long life of the "Worcester".
Thursday 21st June Events Contacts

AFT

FWD

Events Contacts

AFT

FWD

Portsmouth Cathedral Service
We were blessed with fine weather and this allowed Loriol Williamson (1953) to hoist the Queensland Worcester Ensign from the Cathedral's flag staff. The Service was led by The Reverend David Brindley, Dean of Portsmouth Cathedral, and officiated by our very own three OW  ordained clergy, Ian Stewart (1950)  from the USA, Rob Watson (1959) and Paul Whittles (1962) from the UK.  Ian read a seafarers version of the 23rd Psalm which, by popular demand, will be reproduced in The Dog Watch. Canon Huw Mosford of The Mission to Seafarers gave the adddress.
The hymn singing, without a choir, was rousing with complimentary remarks being made by the organist Dr David Price. We are indebted to our six OW sidesmen, led by Ian Walker (1955) who ably conducted us to our seats and undertook the collection which resulted in almost £1900 being distributed to our three charities for the day.

The 150th Anniversary Dinner

This was held on Thursday evening 21 June in the Guildhall Portsmouth in the presence of Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal.


578 Official Guests, Old Worcesters and their Personal Guests attended this black tie formal event held in the main function hall.


Our Official Guests included Michael Everard CBE Past President of the Chamber of Shipping; Reverend Canon Huw Mosford, Director of Chaplaincy, the Mission to Seafarers; Captain John Freestone, Master of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners & Mrs Jennifer Freestone; Mr Tom Mason President of the Conway Club & Mrs Ann Mason; Mr Mark Dumas, President of the Old Pangbournians Society & Mrs Nicola Dumas; Captain David Parsons, the Mercury Old Boys Association & Mrs Nancy Parsons; The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth Councillor Frank Jonas & the Lady Mayoress Mrs Patricia Jonas; & Rear Admiral John Lang, Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire was present.


Prior to the Dinner, a reception was held in the Guildhall reception rooms and the Parlour of the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth. A Guard of Honour was mounted by the Portsmouth Sea Cadets and the Royal British Legion Band played in the Guildhall Square for arriving guests.


Her Royal Highness met with a number distinguished and senior members of the Association and members of the Reunion sub-committee.


Graham Poyastro-Pearson OW piped guests to Dinner on the Bosun’s Pipe & Captain James Cole OW piped Her Royal Highness into Dinner on the Great Highland Bagpipes.


Our President, Colin Steere OW read a letter received from Buckingham Palace in response to the Association’s greetings and best wishes for the Queen’s Jubilee and wishing the Association a successful reunion. An enjoyable four course Dinner was served during which Richard Pocock OW gave a very amusing and popular speech about life and times on board the Worcester. The Dinner was followed by The Loyal Toast, proposed by our President and the response was made by Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal who spoke on Maritime affairs.


Ian Ward, Commodore of the Old Worcesters Yacht Club proposed the toast to Our Honoured Ensign and Christopher Farnfield the Chairman of the Association of Old Worcesters proposed the toast to our Honoured Guests.


Michael Everard our guest speaker gave a friendly and relaxed speech with a few jokes about being a neighbour to the Worcester at Greenhithe.  


The Chairman of the Association, Christopher Farnfield delivered the closing words, and then followed three rousing Good Cheers for Her Royal Highness prior to her departure.


John Angel OW gave a short address of thanks from the membership to the Organising Sub-Committee for all the work undertaken to make the Dinner the success it was.


Christopher Farnfield, Chairman


At the end of the Service our Sub-Committee Chairman sent us on our way to lunch with his Closing Remarks.

Two post Cathedral comments from OW's appropriately sum up the Service:

“The finale in that really exquisite Cathedral really hit a high spot and so correctly signed off with Clive's very well chosen words”
“ Portsmouth Cathedral provided an appropriate setting for our thanksgiving for our time on the Worcester and what that experience gave us for later life.”