Field-gunners setting sights on Collingwood Open Day
By Marie Arnott
HMS Collingwood Open Day is back again this year and will take place on Saturday, July 1.
This unique family event, which showcases the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) Field Gun Competition, will also offer many fun-filled family attractions, with entertainment and
displays designed to capture the imagination of everyone, whilst giving an insight into HMS Collingwood, Defence Training, the Royal Navy and other Armed and Public Forces.
There will be Interactive Zones for hands-on activities and parts of the establishment will be open to visitors, allowing them to see the Royal Navy’s training equipment and experience some training first hand, including navigating a ship into harbour in our Warship Bridge Simulator.
The 2023 RNRMC Field Gun Competition looks set to have one of the strongest field of entrants in recent times. 2022 winners, HMS Seahawk will be looking to retain the Brickwoods Trophy and be crowned the fastest crew of 2023.
This year 20 crews from Royal Navy establishments, including HMS Prince of Wales and RAF and Army units from as far away as Cyprus, Naples and Stavanger will test their mettle in ‘the toughest sport in the world’.
Military personnel give up months of their own time for nothing more than camaraderie and an almighty challenge: racing a Victorian cannon against the clock to win the coveted Brickwoods
Trophy and have the bragging rights of being the fastest crew in the military.
Gates open at 9.30am and a free bus service will run throughout the day from Fareham and Gosport and back. Once the entrance fee is paid all entertainment and attractions are then free of charge, including the fairground rides.
Commanding Officer of HMS Collingwood Captain Tim Davey said: “I am looking forward to welcoming the public back to HMS Collingwood for our popular Open Day. It’s a fantastic opportunity
to showcase our establishment and support our local community.
“We are very excited to once again host the Field Gun competition, which always offers great entertainment for the spectators and dedicated followers.”
Watch this space for more information or visit our Facebook @HMSCollingwoodTrainingEstablishment or Twitter sites @HMS_Collingwood.
PICTURED: The Crown copyright photographs show a variety of attractions from last year’s event including – main image – crews taking part in the Field Gun Competition
