| UK. The Royal Navy frigate HMS Grafton to pay final visit to Ipswich |
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| Saturday, 14 January 2006 | |
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Naval news: HMS Grafton, Ipswich's own affiliated warship, will mark her very last period at sea under the 'White Ensign', with a final visit to Ipswich next week from 19 to 23 January. Following the decision to decommission HMS Grafton, last year saw the official farewell visit to Ipswich and associated ceremonies. As she approaches her final few weeks in the Royal Navy, a slot became available for her very last port visit to be to her affiliated town, before returning to Portsmouth for the final alongside on Tuesday 24 January. Robert Bellfield (40), HMS Grafton 's current Commanding Officer, and former pupil of Farlingaye High School, Woodbridge and Framlingham College, said: "I was determined that Grafton 's very last act in the Royal Navy would be a visit to Ipswich. The affiliation with the town has been very special throughout the nine years that the Ship has been in commission and I wanted to mark this relationship with a final good-bye before we pass her on to Chile. The Ship has recently taken centre stage at the London International Boat Show, so we are very much looking forward to seeing all our friends in Ipswich and bidding them an informal farewell." During the visit, the Ship's Bell and a name board will be formally presented to the Mayor as a permanent reminder of the very special links between HMS Grafton and the Borough of Ipswich. The ship will be conducting group tours by request during her visit. Bids are most welcome and can be made through the Mayor's Office |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 14 January 2006 ) |
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