FINAL FAREWELL TO HMS CAMPBELTOWN

 
Campbeltown will mark an extremely historic occasion next week when HMS Campbeltown sails into its namesake town for the very last time. 
The Type 22 Frigate has a long affiliation with the town and its people. However, this will be the ships final curtain call before she is decommissioned this summer after 22 years’ service to the Royal Navy across the globe.
In true Campbeltown form, a number of celebrations are scheduled to take place to mark this poignant occasion. 
These include a grand parade through the streets of Campbeltown which will echo that of the ship’s first visit to the town in 1989. This will take place in the town’s Main Street at 5.30pm on Wednesday 9th March 2011.
During this, the Captain of HMS Campbeltown, Lt Cdr Keri Harris, will present the ship’s bell from the first HMS Campbeltown, which destroyed the dock gates at the French port St Nazaire in 1942, to the Provost of Argyll and Bute, Councillor William Petrie.
This bell will go on display in Aqualibrium for the duration of the ship’s stay from Wednesday 9th March until Monday 14th March. Captain Harris will also return a silver plaque to the town which was originally presented to the ship in 1989.
Councillor Rory Colville, said: “This is a very sad time for the people of Kintyre. The town has a long affiliation with HMS Campbeltown and we will be extremely sad to see the ship set sail from Campbeltown Loch for the last time.”
The warship will open her gangway to members of the public on Saturday 12th march 2011. Buses will depart from Campbeltownm Bus Terminal at 9.45am and every 30 minutes thereafter until the last trip at 11.45am.
A football match between Campbeltown Pupils and the ships company will also take place on Sunday 13th March at 1pm at Kintyre Park, Campbeltown,and a darts competition will take place in the Burnside Bar on Sunday evening at 8pm.
 
Taking part in the parade will be some of the ship’s company, along with Campbeltown Sea Cadets and representatives from the Royal British Legion, the Royal Air Force Association, the Army Cadet Force, Girl Guide Association, Strathclyde Police, the Ambulance Service, Fire Brigade and Young Fire Fighters, Royal National Lifeboat Association and the Harbourmaster.
The parade will begin at 5.30pm when Kintyre Schools Pipe Band will lead the first group of organisations down Castlehill to the Town Hall. This will be followed by the Sound of Kintyre Pipe Band which will escort the ship’s company and the Sea Cadets. 
Also taking part will be Campbeltown Brass which will play as people wait for the parade to begin as well as during the inspection of the ship’s company and the Sea Cadets by the Lord Lieutenant of Argyll and Bute, Kenneth McKinnon.
A special guest will be Nick Beattie whose father, Lt Cdr Sam Beattie was the commanding officer of the original HMS Campbeltown. Sam Beattie was one of five of the ship’s company to receive the Victoria Cross for the part they played in ‘the most daring raid of all’.
The visit will end on Monday 14th March and Campbeltown will put its best foot forward to mark this historic but sad occasion.