A Strong and Happy Partnership
HMS Bulwark slipped into the Port of Tyne on a chilly afternoon to cement its new affiliation with County Durham. The warmth of the welcome from well-wishers lining the river banks and quayside served as a reassuring portend of what was to follow over the next few days.
(Photo courtesy of the Evening Chronicle).
Members of the Ship’s Company were greeted like old friends in a busy programme of visits that included Harbour View Extra Care Home in Seaham, Aycliffe Young People’s Centre, the children’s ward at Bishop Auckland General Hospital, Trinity School in Durham City and Forest of Teesdale School, where the 12 pupils presented a ship’s mascot, appropriately enough, a sheepdog by the name of Gel, who will sail with HMS Bulwark as a member of the Ship’s Company wherever she goes.
Bishop General Hospital - Childrens Ward
Trinity School
Forest of Teesdale School
Captain Jerry Stanford, Bulwark’s Commanding Officer at the time of the visit, said:
"It would have been easy to restrict our visits and links to bigger groups and organisations that were within easier reach, but we want to extend our links as far as we can throughout County Durham so our visit to the tiny Forest of Teesdale School, was just what we wanted."
"In time, it is the wish of both Durham County Council, which instigated our affiliation, and HMS Bulwark to extend and develop the range of links between us to include commercial companies and other organisations in the county so that these relationships reinforce the link between ‘ship and shore’."
"We were sorry to leave our new-found friends after so short a stay, but we came away with the firm impression that the affiliation between HMS Bulwark and County Durham will be a strong and happy partnership."
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