NAVAL BASE STAFF COME TOGETHER FOR CHRISTMAS

Friday, 13 December 2024

CHRISTMAS EVENTS AT HMNB CLYDE Pictured: Carol Service held at St Mungo’s Church HM Naval Base Clyde personnel came together on Tuesday, December 10 for the annual Christmas Carol Service held in St Mungo’s church. Before the carol singing began, military and civilian staff were invited to join the Chaplaincy team to enjoy a hot drink and a mince pie to get them in the festive spirit. Naval Base personnel were invited to bring donations for the ONE Clyde Christmas Appeal and kind-hearted staff arrived with bags full of biscuits, sweets, toys, and lots more. The donations will be delivered to Home Start Helensburgh, Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank and West Dumbartonshire Community Foodshare. The Neptune Volunteer Band provided music for the service and the carols got underway with everyone singing ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.’ In addition, there were readings and prayers from the Chaplaincy team and Base personnel and to finish off everyone joined in a chorus of Jingle Bells before heading back to work. After the service it was time for some of the junior members of the Royal Navy to enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch. Around 300 Junior Rates headed to the HMS Neptune Supermess, to be served turkey and all the trimmings by Senior Officers from around the Naval Base. Helping to dish up pigs in blankets, sprouts and gravy were Naval Base Commander, Commodore (Cdre) Sharon Malkin ADC, Commodore Submarine Service, Cdre Paul Dunn OBE and Captain of the Base, Captain Elaine Boyd. Commodore Malkin said: “The Christmas Dinner is the continuation of an age-old Royal Navy tradition where Officers show their appreciation to those on duty, keeping us safe over the Christmas period.”

By Lucy Ashton

HM Naval Base Clyde personnel came together on Tuesday for the annual Christmas Carol Service held in St Mungo’s church.

Before the carol singing began, military and civilian staff joined the Chaplaincy team to enjoy a hot drink and a mince pie to get them in the festive spirit.

Naval Base personnel were invited to bring donations for the ONE Clyde Christmas Appeal and kind-hearted staff arrived with bags full of biscuits, sweets, toys, and lots more.

The donations will be delivered to Home Start Helensburgh, Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank and West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare.

The Neptune Volunteer Band provided music for the service and the carols got underway with everyone singing ‘O Come All Ye Faithful.’

In addition, there were readings and prayers from the Chaplaincy team and Base personnel and to finish off everyone joined in a chorus of Jingle Bells before heading back to work.

After the service it was time for some of the junior members of the Royal Navy to enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch. More than 350 Junior Rates headed to the HMS Neptune Supermess, to be served turkey and all the trimmings by Senior Officers from around the Naval Base.

Helping to dish up pigs in blankets, sprouts and gravy were Commodore (Cdre) Submarine Service, Cdre Paul Dunn OBE, Captain of the Base, Captain Elaine Boyd, Commander Jon Fletcher, and Warrant Officer 2, Kevin Longhurst.

The Christmas Dinner is the continuation of an age-old Royal Navy tradition where Officers show their appreciation to those on duty, keeping us safe over the Christmas period.

On the way to lunch, another long-standing Royal Navy tradition took place where sailors were offerd a ‘tot’ of rum, granted by the His Majesty the King in appreciation of their service, known as ‘Splicing the Main Brace.’

Picture Captions:

1. Navy chaplaincy team in Christmas jumpers and hats.
2. Personnel from HMNB Clyde singing carols.
3. Some of the donations for the ONE Clyde Christmas appeal.
4. Senior Officers serve up Christmas dinner to the Junior Sailors, Submariners and Royal Marines.
5. Junior Sailors enjoy their Christmas Lunch.