Reservists from HMS King Alfred proudly support Winchester Shipping Festival

Hampshire reservists from HMS King Alfred recently represented the Royal Navy and Royal Navy Reserve at the annual Winchester Shipping Festival.

On a beautiful summer evening, reservists from HMS King Alfred joined the Merchant Navy, Warsash Maritime College, the Sea Cadets and a wide range of other maritime organisations to parade at Winchester Cathedral for the annual Winchester Shipping Festival.

Standard bearer for HMS King Alfred and carrying the White Ensign for the first time, Chief Petty Officer Curtis said, “I was hugely proud to be there and represent the Royal Navy and Royal Navy Reserve. It was really good to be part of a wider maritime community and show our support for all seafarers.”

Since July 1930, the Southampton Master Mariners’ Club has organised a Shipping Festival Service each year, apart from a break during the Second World War.

The Festival Service celebrates and gives thanks to God for the continuing prosperity of the Shipping Industry in our region, and for the dedication of all who serve in it and contribute to it, especially the seafarers whose home is the sea and who face its many dangers.

Many of the reservists in HMS King Alfred work in maritime or related industries across Hampshire and are well aware of the importance of the sea to the United Kingdom.

Petty Officer Kathy Pink who has supported the service throughout her Naval Reserve Career said, “I found it incredibly moving to participate in such a historic event which always reminds me of depth and breadth of seafaring around the United Kingdom and the strong maritime links in British History, going back to King Alfred raising his fleet from the merchant navy.”

The festival also represented an opportunity for HMS King Alfred to reinforce the ship’s links with Winchester and the wider county of Hampshire. 

The ship’s company comes from across the Hampshire and Solent region with an interest in serving with the Royal Navy in their spare time.