Navy News
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HMS Collingwood hosts fantastic day of fun
7 June 2016
On a sunny summer’s day the public poured in to HMS Collingwood, Fareham in their thousands to enjoy the annual Open Day.
The Open Day, featuring the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Field Gun Competition, saw crews from across the UK, Naples and Gibraltar pushing out all the stops to compete for and win the prestigious Brickwoods Trophy.
In a tense and thrilling finale to this fast and furious competition, friends, families and visitors looked on eagerly as the final began.
All eyes were on the HMS Heron crew, who were last year’s winners, but this year the honours went to the REME crew who were also awarded the Powerful Trophy for having the fastest single run throughout the whole competition.
Thank you to all of those who made this event possible
Addressing the gathered crowds on completion of the final Vice Admiral Sir Jonathan Woodcock OBE, Second Sea Lord and President of Field Gun, said “Thank you to all of those who made this event possible, and to all the field gunners a huge thank you for making the competition so exciting.
"It’s been a fantastic day.”
Commanding Officer, HMS Collingwood Captain Andy Jordan said “Open Day is a wonderful opportunity to show off what we do here to the local community, our friends and families, and of course to support local and naval charities. It was a wonderful day.”
Hilary Jukes, Regional Fundraiser for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, which this year supported more than a dozen Royal Navy field gun teams with a £30,000 grant, said "It's been yet another brilliant day for the friends, family and charities of the Royal Navy.
All of the competitors put on a great show. As a leading funder of the Royal Navy Field Gun Competition, we were delighted to see the guys in their element and are grateful to both the general public and the Field Gun teams for their kind donations and continued support."
The results of the final were:
1st - REME
2nd - HMS Seahawk
3rd - HMNB Portsmouth
In addition to the Field Gun competition the Navy’s Warfare and Weapon Engineering Training establishment opened many of the areas used by ratings and officers to train them and prepare them for their roles in the Fleet.
One very popular area was the Bridge simulator, where visitors got the opportunity to get an idea of how HMS Queen Elizabeth will look as she comes into Portsmouth harbour for the first time.
Other popular family attractions included a free fun fair, Armed Forces Recruitment zones and many other stalls to entertain the thousands who visited from far and wide.