HMS Somerset’s Link Letter
Inside this month’s newsletter… • On the run – raising money for charity
• Our Visit to Baytree School in Somerset
Edition 1 - 2014
From the Captain As I introduce our first newsletter of 2014, HMS Somerset is already in the Mediterranean and well on her way to the Middle East. Whilst the UK remains caught in the middle of an extremely wet winter, we have been getting used to rising temperatures and glimpses of sunshine – a real novelty compared with the conditions experienced at the end of last year. Since despatching our last update prior to Christmas, the team completed the year in style with a Winter Ball, an annual awards ceremony and a families’ briefing day to help prepare our friends and loved ones for the deployment. Early in the New Year, Somerset quietly slipped out of Plymouth on a grey and overcast day to start our deployment. Since leaving we have visited Gibraltar and Crete and have finalised our preparations whilst supporting NATO in their security task in the Mediterranean. It feels good to finally be getting to grips with our operational tasking with much to look forward to in the months ahead; and of course to relay to you in subsequent newsletters. Enjoy the newsletter – much more to follow.
•The start of our 6 month deployment
Setting Sail Thank you to those who came to wave to us as HMS Somerset quietly set sail from Devonport Naval Base on the 9th January. There were lots of us waving back and using binoculars to read the banners. The homecoming will be a bigger event – we will give you the information when it has been arranged. Thank you to Carol Clarke, the mother of the Operations Officer Lt Cdr Matt Sykes, for sending a photo of Somerset on our way past Royal William Yard in Plymouth.
Baytree School Visit By Medical Assistant Jordan Holland and Engineering Technician (Marine Engineer) Geraint Bailyes On the 17th December 2013 HMS Somerset visited Baytree School in Somerset along with the Commanding Officer, Commander Mike Smith, Surgeon Lieutenant Jo Laird and Lieutenant Chris Owen to attend their Nativity play. On arrival at the school we were welcomed by their head mistress who introduced us to the staff and pupils. We met with the pupils in the playground and learned about their individual requirements. After lunch we were each paired with a different class who led us back to their classrooms to assist in preparing them for their Nativity. The Nativity was held in their local church which overflowed with families, teachers and carers. A lot of work had obviously been put into organising the service, and unknown to us ET (ME) Geraint Bailyes was to be part of it! Our day at Bay Tree was an educational experience. We believe if you get the chance to visit the school yourselves you will find it a heartening experience and we would love to go back; and keep up the relationship the Ship has built with them in the future.
The Ship’s Winter Ball & Families’ Briefing By Able Seaman (CIS) Shepherd On the 28th November 2013 HMS Somerset hosted a Winter Ball for the Ship’s Company and their families. It was held at the Holiday Inn on the Hoe in Plymouth and was a fun filled evening with live music, a cocktail bar and a fancy dress photo booth. The evening started with welcome drinks in the lobby followed by a three course sit down meal to give people an opportunity to converse before the live music provided by the band Joker. The aim of the ball was for families to enjoy an evening with the Ship’s Company before Somerset’s departure on deployment. It was a fantastic opportunity for families to meet people that their loved ones will be working and living with for the duration of the deployment. It was also the first formal social event that Somerset has hosted in over 6 years due to the Ship’s busy schedule. The Ship’s Company responded very well to the event after an exhausting year with a jam-packed schedule. The Winter Ball was followed by a Families’ Brief the next morning. The brief was organised to inform families about the kind of operations the Ship will be involved in during the deployment and how to keep in touch with loved ones. The Entertainment Committee worked hard to ensure that the Winter Ball was enjoyed by all and that the brief was useful and informative for families. Feedback suggests that this was achieved!
Sports Round-Up from Gibraltar En route to Gibraltar to embark routine stores a bucketball tournament was held on board the Ship. Bucketball is a team game similar to netball but with a bucket rather than a net! It was a closely fought contest with the worthy winners, team Yea' Mates from the 30 Man Mess, posing for their photo with the Commanding Officer (below).
It was a busy port visit for sport in Gibraltar with a netball match and a football match at the Naval Base. The netball team put on an impressive display for their first match together with the final score 21-23 to the opposition. The final score of the football match was a 5-1 win for Gibraltar Services. Leading Physical Trainer (LPT) Mark Yates said afterwards that “although both games were lost, a true fighting spirit was shown throughout the matches; a great effort by all players”.
Another flight deck sports afternoon was organised after we left Gibraltar involving a series of challenging relay races! The ‘B’ team from the 45 Man Mess were the afternoon’s overall winners.
The Rock Race The sun hadn’t risen when 49 sailors donned their trainers and set off on the challenge of running or cycling up the rock. The 2.7 mile course culminates at the 426 meter high summit of the Rock of Gibraltar and all before breakfast!
The winning cyclist was the Commanding Officer, Commander Mike Smith RN in 24 minutes and 6 seconds. The winning runner was Lieutenant Mike Jacks RN in 26 minutes and 33 seconds.
On the run for the RNRMC Regulating Petty Officer Lee Whittaker and Leading Regulator Alex Llewellyn have set themselves three challenges in order to raise money for the Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC). The first was completing the Rock Race dressed as robbers which they achieved in 47 minutes and 48 seconds. The second challenge is cycling the length of the Suez and the final challenge will be a Tag Team Marathon comprising 183 circuits of the Ship’s upper deck.
Deployment Raffle We are organising a deployment raffle and we are hoping to raise a lot of money for charity and the Ship’s welfare fund. Any prize donations would be welcomed. Please email Surgeon Lieutenant Jo Laird at the email address below for more details.
Comments and suggestions for the Link Letter are welcome. Surgeon Lieutenant Jo Laird:
[email protected]
