Navy News
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New ‘gate guardian’ unveiled at Maritime Warfare School
2 September 2016
Captain Andy Jordan, Commanding Officer HMS Collingwood and the Maritime Warfare School, recently visited Lewin Building to unveil the new ‘gate guardian’.
The Captain was accompanied by Chief Petty Officer (CPO) (Above Water Warfare) Glen Moffat and Able Seaman (AB) (Mine Warfare) Danny Millar who had worked tirelessly over the previous two months to return the wooden replica 32 Pounder, bearing the cypher of King George III, to its former glory after an accident had seen it badly damaged, seemingly beyond repair and relegated to kindling for the next bonfire night.
Undaunted, CPO Moffat, AB Millar and other members of the Principal Warfare Officer Training Element gave generously of their time and finances to support the restoration. Special thanks also go to members of the Gosport Shed community who provided some very technical assistance in turning a new mussel.
Repainted in in traditional black and ‘Trafalgar Yellow’ for the carriage, the cannon is now a permanent addition to the Lewin Building entrance.
During the presentation of the newly restored cannon a cake sale also took place to support the Gosport Shed charity, an organisation which seeks to establish a place of purpose and networking for retired men who share an interest in wood and metal working projects and hobbies.
‘Men's Sheds’ started in Australia, where there are now more than 900, and are spreading around the world; in the UK there are about 27 Sheds, several of them supported by AgeUK