The annual Trafalgar Day ‘Toast the Admiral’ event is being held on Friday (21 October) at the Collingwood Monument in Tynemouth.
This is the seventh year that North Tyneside Council has hosted the event for invited dignitaries, honoured guests and members of the public who are very welcome to come along.
North Tyneside has the greatest monument to the Admiral at Tynemouth looking out to sea which provides the setting for the Toast.
Chair of North Tyneside Council, Cllr Dave McGarr, said: “The council is delighted to host the annual ‘Toast to the Admiral’ event, as our contribution to commemorate Trafalgar Day and raise awareness of the achievements of Vice-Admiral Lord Collingwood. He was a local hero; he was the nation’s hero.
“Our pride in our maritime history is also matched with our pride in our Royal Navy. We welcome Captain Andy Jordan of the Royal Navy, Commanding Officer for HMS Collingwood, to address the event once again this year and we also extend our thanks to HMS Calliope for their support at the commemoration.”
Schedule for the event is:
- 11.40am – Gathering of invited guests and the general public
- 11:50am - Welcome by Chair of North Tyneside Council, Cllr Dave McGarr
- Raising of the Blue Ensign
- 11.55am – Oration led by Captain Andy Jordan ADC Royal Navy, Captain Maritime Warfare School and Commanding Officer HMS COLLINGWOOD
- 12 noon – Toast to Admiral Lord Collingwood.
The significance of holding the toast at 12 noon is based on the fact that 12 mid-day was the time at which the first shot was fired in the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805.
ENDS