New Commanding Officer welcomes affiliation visitors

On Thursday 1 December 2011, Commander Moorhouse hosted 4 members of the Worshipful Company of Constructors for lunch and tour of the Ship.

The Master of the Company, Mr Doug Barrett was accompanied by Mr John Trussler, Mr Stephen Rigden and the Clerk of the Company, Mr Kym Tyrrell.

Having not visited the Ship since March, Mr Tyrrell said,

“It is very pleasing to see Lancaster approaching her best again after such a long time in refit and I can see that a tremendous amount of good work has been done to her.”

The visitors’ day in the Naval Base was completed with a tour of the vast complex housing the BAe Systems building of the Queen Elizabeth Aircraft Carrier.

BAe Systems are currently building sections of the enormous Aircraft Carrier before they are transported to Rosyth to be built together with sections from other Dockyards.

Lieutenant Commander Andy Foote, the Ship’s Marine Engineering Officer said,

“The sheer size of the construction here in the Naval Base is overwhelming, particularly as it is only a small part of the overall size of the vessel.”

Whilst visiting the Ship, the Master, Doug Barrett presented a Gas Barbeque to the Ship as a gift from the Company.

Chef Christopher Hooper-Callcut, 20 from Hertfordshire, accepting the Barbeque on behalf of the Ship, said,

“We are very grateful to the Worshipful Company for giving us this Barbeque. I am very much looking forward to cooking with it.”

On Friday 2 December 2011, Commander Moorhouse also hosted 4 members of the Duchy of Lancaster for lunch and a tour of the Ship.

The guests were Sir Alan and Lady Reid and Mr and Mrs Paul Clarke.

Sir Alan is the Receiver General for the Duchy of Lancaster and the Keeper of the Privy Purse for Her Majesty The Queen and Mr Clarke is the Chief Executive Officer for the Duchy.

Following lunch and tour of the Ship, the Duchy visitors were treated to a VIP tour of HMS Victory, the oldest British Warship remaining in commission today, giving them a true perspective of the modern and the historic feel of the Royal Navy.

Sir Alan Reid said of his first visit to the Naval Base and the Ship,

“It has been a wonderful day and one that will live long in the memory.

"HMS Lancaster has a fine reputation and I am proud to be associated with such a fine Ship.

"The comparison between HM Ships Victory and Lancaster is remarkable and show the finest traditions of the Royal Navy remain in evidence today.”

Commander Steve Moorhouse said,

“It has been a privilege to welcome two of Lancaster’s affiliations onboard.

"I place great importance on the strength of the relationships that we enjoy with each of our affiliations and I hope this will continue as the Ship rejoins the Fleet.”