Trafalgar Night in Wantage

Mark and I were truly delighted to be the Civic Guests at last night’s Trafalgar Night Dinner, held at The Bear in Wantage and hosted by the Royal Naval Association (Wantage Branch). It was a particular pleasure for me to attend this year, not least because of my recent appointment as a National Vice President of the Marine Society and Sea Cadets – an organisation that continues to shape and inspire so many young people through the traditions and values of the Royal Navy.

We were welcomed with tremendous warmth by Lieutenant Commander Kevin Morrison RN, Chair of the branch, and by my dear friend Major Jim Sibbald DL, who had so kindly invited us to join the evening. The camaraderie and sense of belonging were palpable from the moment we arrived – as was the pride in naval heritage that runs deep in Wantage, birthplace of King Alfred, known as the Father of the English Navy.

I was fortunate to be seated next to Commodore Drew Stacey (RN Rtd), whom I’ve got to know quite well over the last few months. His after-dinner speech was outstanding: thoughtful, witty, and refreshingly candid. Drew reflected not only on Nelson’s extraordinary leadership but also on the more complex aspects of his character – a reminder that great leaders are rarely one-dimensional. As Drew noted, the qualities demanded in war are often very different from those we prize in peacetime.

I was also very pleased to be seated next to The Revd Katherine Price, Vicar of Wantage – and, as the Association affectionately calls her according to naval tradition, their “Bish”. We had a fascinating conversation about her journey to the priesthood, her time as Chaplain at The Queen’s College, Oxford, and her ongoing study into the schisms and tensions within the Anglican Communion. Her insight, warmth, and humour added greatly to an already memorable evening.

After dinner came the traditional toasts – in true naval style – including, of course, the ever-popular “Our wives and sweethearts” (May they never meet!). I understand that the official line these days is to toast “Our Families”, but that particular amendment doesn’t yet seem to have reached the diners of Wantage!

A word, too, for the staff at The Bear, who really did us proud. The food was absolutely superb – a very long way from the ‘rubber chicken’ that some places tend to serve up to large gatherings.

All in all, a wonderful evening of history, fellowship, and good humour – and a reminder of how enduring the spirit of the Royal Navy remains, even here in the heart of Oxfordshire.