City bids farewell to HMS Manchester
1 February 2011
This Saturday, 5 February, sees the final visit of HMS Manchester’s crew to the vessel’s namesake city. The ship is to be decommissioned at the end of February after three decades of proud service.
A public service will be held at Manchester Cathedral, from 10am-11am, before HMS Manchester's crew exercise the freedom of the city for a final time as they embark on their Farewell Freedom Parade from Manchester Cathedral to Albert Square. The parade will begin at 11am from Fennel Street, it will then proceed down Corporation Street and approach Albert Square from Cross Street.
The Lord Mayor, Councillor Mark Hackett, will then review the Ship's Company before taking the salute. At 12pm the Mayor will hold a civic reception for HMS Manchester, where the Freedom of the City Scroll will be handed back.
Before the crew of HMS Manchester arrive in the city the Lord Mayor joined them for their final trip to the North West, he boarded the ship on 1 February in Portsmouth and arrives in Liverpool on 3 February.
HMS Manchester has had an illustrious history, in 1991 she served in the Gulf War, participating in numerous operations in the Persian Gulf, and in 2010 she became the first British warship to visit Havana, Cuba since 1957.
Commander Rex Cox, Commanding Officer, HMS Manchester, said "HMS Manchester is very proud of her strong links with the City of Manchester that have been ever present through her 30 years life. To be able to exercise the right to the Freedom of the City with bayonets fixed is always a highlight and is a fitting farewell to our association as the end of the ship's life as a commissioned warship draws near."
Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Mark Hackett said "It is an honour to be sailing up from Portsmouth to Liverpool with the crew. It is with admiration that I say farewell to the ship's crew. It is important to remember not only the sterling work the current crew have performed but also the achievements of all of HMS Manchester's past crew members. I speak for the city when I say we are all very proud of our association with HMS Manchester."
