Falmouth Sea Sunday 2012
That rarest of commodities this Summer – sunshine – greeted marchers and participants in the annual Sea Sunday parade and church service in Falmouth, coordinated for the 29th successive year by Falmouth Branch of the Royal Naval Association, on behalf of Falmouth town council and the Church of King Charles the Martyr. Over the years the event has grown in stature, to an extent that it has become one of the major events in the civic and social calendar, attracting participants from all over the South West, and from as far afield as London. It was particularly pleasing to see so many youth organisations taking part this year, including Falmouth & Penryn Sea Cadets (augmented by SCC units from all over Cornwall); Royal Marine Cadets from Truro; 6th Falmouth Sea Scouts, and Falmouth Police Cadets, together with Civic guests from all over Cornwall.
Led by the Volunteer Band of HMS SEAHAWK (RNAS Culdrose), the parade marched from The Moor, via Market Street and Church Street for the service at 4.00 pm. The National Standards of the Royal Naval Medical Branch & Sick Berth Staff Association and the Merchant Navy Association, together with the RNA Area 4 Standard and that of Falmouth Branch were laid on the altar, and Standards of other RNA Branches, Veterans’ Associations, the RBL and youth organisations were in attendance.
The service was led by the Rev. Stephen Tudgey of KCM Church, who is also Chaplain to Falmouth RNA, and the address was given by Mr Simon Sherrard, a Trustee of the Missions to Seafarers, who gave an insight into the work of the Mission, both internationally, and more locally here in Falmouth. The Lessons were read by the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Cole Edward Bolitho OBE, and Capt W. Entwisle OBE MVO, Commanding Officer, RNAS Culdrose, and RNA Branch President Cdre Tony Hogg AFC read Nelson’s Prayer. The service always includes a short Act of Remembrance, and bugler Bill Bishop sounded Last Post and Reveille.
Following the service, the Parade re-formed, and marched to Events Square. The Salute was taken en route by the Lord Lieutenant and the Mayor of Falmouth, Cllr Geoffrey Evans. Following ‘Sunset’ the parade was dismissed, and participants and invited guests enjoyed a buffet reception at the National Maritime Museum, Cornwall.
Sea Sunday is essentially a Missions to Seafarers’ occasion, and is celebrated nationally on the second Sunday in July each year. However, several towns, cities and churches hold their Sea Sundays on differing dates. Here in Falmouth, in the early 1980’s, the then Vicar of the Parish Church of King Charles the Martyr felt that it might be good if churches in Falmouth and the surrounding area were to hold their own Sea Sunday services on the second Sunday in July, and then join together for a combined service at KCM on the following Sunday. In 1982, he asked the then newly re-formed Branch of the Royal Naval Association to organise a parade. The Branch, which will celebrate its 30th Anniversary later this year, has been pleased to do so ever since.
