NCI GWENNAP HEAD CELEBRATE TRAFALGAR DAY

23rd October 2022 Members of NCI Gwennap Head, (pictured with NCI Founding Member Tony King and NCI Gwennap Head Founding Member Adrian Symons), attended this year’s Trafalgar and Nelson Remembrance ceremony at Madron Church, marking the moment in history when Penzance received highly important news, by sea.

During the victory against the French navy at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, Admiral Lord Nelson, one of the best-known military leaders in British history, was killed by a French sniper. After the battle, the crew aboard the ship carrying the news to Falmouth told fishermen in Mount’s Bay, near Penzance, about the death of Nelson. This information was passed on to the Mayor and council of Penzance who were having dinner in the Union Hotel. When they heard the news, the mayor made a speech from the balcony announcing the death of this popular leader. He also led a procession to Madron Parish Church (the Mother Church of Penzance), where a memorial service took place and the Nelson Banner, made by the people of Penzance, was paraded for the first time.The verse on the banner reads: “Mourn the brave, the immortal Nelson’s gone, his last sea fight is fought, his work of glory done”.

Now, every year, on the Sunday nearest to the 21st October people meet in Madron Church to hold a special service to remember the battle of Trafalgar and Lord Nelson. A band plays, dignitaries, civilian service representatives (including NCI Gwennap Head) and naval personnel march past, salutes are taken and everyone present honours one of England’s most popular heroes.

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