Town's gala farewell to namesake Navy frigate

Under Government defence cuts the Marlborough is one of a number of Royal Navy ships being decommissioned.

The Marlborough entered service with the Navy in 1991 and after several major refits, the last only a year ago, is still regarded as one of the most advanced vessels of its kind.

However the ship that has played a major part in the Gulf wars and in helping Interpol smash international drugs-rings is about to be laid up.

The Marlborough will be mothballed until the Government decides what to do with her and that might be selling the Type 23 frigate to the highest bidder.

The ship's captain, Commander Ian Graham, and his crew of 12 officers and 165 ratings will all be going to other ships or shore bases.

The redundancy of the ship will be felt not only in Marlborough which gave the freedom of the town to the ship's company in 1996 when former councillor Derek Smithers was mayor but also in Middlesborough which has close links.

After her farewell visit to Middlesborough at the beginning of June, the Mayor of Marlborough Hilary Cripps and Mr Smithers will be among a small party from the town joining the ship for what is due to be her final seagoing three day voyage to her home port at Portsmouth.

Mayors of Marlborough have been associated with the ship ever since her keel was laid at the Swan Hunter shipyard on Tyneside, at her launching and commissioning.

Last year's mayor Graham Francis went out from Portsmouth for the first few miles when the Marlborough set sail on her last ever deployment to the Gulf last November.

Cdr Graham will be bringing his men to Marlborough on July 3 for an afternoon of ceremony that will end with the ship's flag being laid-up in St Mary's Church at a special service led by Royal Navy chaplain, the Rev Mike Bretherton.

The ship's crew will ceremoniously march into the town centre past a parade of local ex service personnel and Coun Cripps will take the salute in the High Street.