who fell with him)”. The Royal Navy has been granted the right to remain seated for the Loyal Toast to the reigning Monarch from the time of the small wooden ships where there was insufficient room to actually stand. An extra toast took place on the evening to “King Harald the Fifth of Norway” in recognition of the Norwegian guests attending the function.
The entertainment for the evening was provided by local singer / DJ Gerry Shaw and his relaxed professional style was appreciated by all.
The entertainment for the evening was provided by local singer / DJ Gerry Shaw and his relaxed professional style was appreciated by all.
NAVY´S TRAFALGAR NIGHT DINNER
Torrevieja Branch held their annual Trafalgar Night dinner on 21 October at the Olympia Restaurant, Mil Palmares. The event commemorates the Naval battle off Cape Trafalgar, Cadiz on that date in 1805 between the British fleet (27 ships) under Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson and the combined fleets of France and Spain (33 ships) under the command of the French Admiral Villeneauve.
Trafalgar was a decisive victory for the British fleet, which forced Napolean Bonapart to abandon his plans to invade England and ensured that Britain’s dominance at sea remained unchallenged for the remainder of the 10 years of war against France andthat dominance continued worldwide for a further 120 years. The Royal Naval Association traditionally remembers the brave men of both sides who fought and died during this major sea battle.
Trafalgar was a decisive victory for the British fleet, which forced Napolean Bonapart to abandon his plans to invade England and ensured that Britain’s dominance at sea remained unchallenged for the remainder of the 10 years of war against France andthat dominance continued worldwide for a further 120 years. The Royal Naval Association traditionally remembers the brave men of both sides who fought and died during this major sea battle.
RNA Torrevieja President and Chairman with honoured guests from the Torrevieja Council and officials from visiting RNA's and RAFA Branch 1359
A packed Olympia Restaurant saw 137 seated to commemorate the famous event. The Honoured guests were escorted in with the Spanish flag and the R.N.A. Standard and were introduced to the “shipmates” by the R.N.A Branch President, Robin Hargrave. The guests included Jose Eduardo Gil Rebollo, the Torrevieja Councillor for Public Security, Police and Public Safety; Oscar Villar Serrano, Torrevieja’s Harbour Master; Rafael Aracil Sala, Curator of Torrevieja Museums and Graham Knight representing the Office for International Residents. The Association was also pleased to welcome Fina Espinosa Martinez, wife of Eduardo Gil Rebollo and Maria-Angeles Sedano Puig, wife of Oscar Villar.
Invited ex-Service guests included the President and Chairman plus 22 members of the Runcorn R.N.A. Branch; the Welfare Officer plus two members of the Wigston (Leicester) R.N.A. Branch ; six members of the Norwegian Naval Reserve and seven of our colleagues from the local Royal Air Forces Association Branch 1359 including their Chairman Brian Todd and Vice-Chairman Terry Joy. On completion of the meal there were four important toasts, firstly to “ King Juan Carlos of Spain, secondly, and traditionally the Loyal Toast to “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”, thirdly, and traditionally to the “Immortal Memory of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson (and those
Invited ex-Service guests included the President and Chairman plus 22 members of the Runcorn R.N.A. Branch; the Welfare Officer plus two members of the Wigston (Leicester) R.N.A. Branch ; six members of the Norwegian Naval Reserve and seven of our colleagues from the local Royal Air Forces Association Branch 1359 including their Chairman Brian Todd and Vice-Chairman Terry Joy. On completion of the meal there were four important toasts, firstly to “ King Juan Carlos of Spain, secondly, and traditionally the Loyal Toast to “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland”, thirdly, and traditionally to the “Immortal Memory of Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson (and those
The Torrevieja Branch of the Royal Naval Association has over 100 members and of course the Branch is always looking for new members. The Branch meets at 1730 on the first Wednesday of each month at La Rustika Restaurante (formerly Los Arcos Restaurante), Avenida Baleares, Torrevieja. Contact Mike Wright, Chairman, 966188701 or Margaret Foreshaw, Secretary, 966921996.
"Once Navy always Navy" (L - R) Robin Hargrave, President Torrevieja RNA; Roy Grocock, Welfare Officer, Wigston RNA; Mike Wright, Chairman Torrevieja RNA, Geoff Miller, Chairman Runcorn RNA