Sultan hosts annual families event

By Connor Steel

FAMILIES enjoyed an action-packet afternoon of fun activities at HMS Sultan recently, with the annual event offering everybody in attendance an opportunity to gain knowledge on the support available to them through specialist service charities and organisations during their time with the Gosport-based training establishment.

Invited guests and family members of Sultan personnel were visible throughout the afternoon, which saw an exciting range of organised activities on offer including regular rides onboard the HMS Sultan Steam Wagon, a live performance from the Royal Marines Cadet marching band and musical backdrop suitable for all ages.

Exotic animals were also available to view by parents and children alike, as were big inflatables to enjoy for everybody. For those hungry or thirsty a selection of refreshments were available from a selected number of stalls, which included the offer of ice-creams and lollies on a humid day with temperatures over 22 degrees.

But as expected it was the ‘Soak-a-Sailor’ activity that was the most popular throughout the whole afternoon, much to the delight of the children in attendance. And the Establishment’s senior officers each took a turn to be used as the main sponge target, including the HMS Sultan Commanding Officer Captain Jo Deakin OBE.

She said after an intense soaking: “What a fantastic day! It is a real privilege for us to welcome our families and  all those who support us to HMS Sultan. Families Day provides us with a great opportunity to have fun and relax together as well as an opportunity say a big thank you for our sailors, our staff and their families”.

HMS Sultan is home to the Defence College of Technical Training’s Defence School of Marine Engineering alongside with Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School; where engineers and in addition technicians are equipped with the skills to function as the ‘beating heart of operational capability’, operating, maintaining, repairing and sustaining our aircraft, ships, submarines and vehicles daily on global operations.

PICTURRED BY PEPE HOGAN: Captain Jo Deakin is the target of sponge to the face during families day.