The crowds flocked to HMS Collingwood on Saturday 3 June as the Fareham base opened its gates for the annual Open Day.
The day was blessed with sunshine and saw thousands of visitors from the local and armed forces communities enjoying the variety of events and attractions on display.
The main feature of the day was the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Field Gun Competition, which saw crews from across the UK, Naples and Gibraltar pulling out all the stops to compete for and win the prestigious Brickwoods Trophy.
In a tense and thrilling finale to this fast and furious competition, friends, families and visitors looked on eagerly as the final began.
All eyes were on the REME crew who were out to defend their title as last year’s winners, and they didn’t fail to impress, winning the final and breaking the record in doing so, with a stunning time of 1.16.19.
No 1 trainer for the REME crew, Warrant Officer Paul Hembery, who also received the Trainer’s Trophy, said of the win “It’s an amazing feeling to win today.
“The boys drilled really hard, they really wanted it. They worked hard for each other.”
With other attractions at this annual show including a free fun fair, live bands, high ropes challenge, and the opportunity to witness the new HMS Queen Elizabeth coming in to Portsmouth harbour in the Warship Simulator, plus much more, it was a great success.
Commanding Officer, HMS Collingwood Captain Andy Jordan said “Open Day is a wonderful opportunity to show off what we do here to the local community, our friends and families and of course to support local and naval charities.
“It was a wonderful day, with the added bonus of the HMS Collingwood B crew winning the Sports Lottery Cup, the Pate 2 final.”
