HMS Collingwood hosts fantastic family day of fun

The crowds flocked to HMS Collingwood on Saturday 2 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, but in a tense and thrilling final it was the HMS Heron crew from Yeovilton who took the trophy. 

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 Rob Vitali said, “Our Open Day is a really great chance for HMS Collingwood to open its doors to the public and show them what we do.

"I think it is really important that we are able to give something back to the community.”