Naval presence for two memorable dates

The Royal Navy will be in Orkney to support two significant events this weekend — the 50th anniversary of the local Sea Cadet unit TS Thorfinn, and the annual commemoration service for HMS Royal Oak.

A contingent from the Rosyth-based Royal Marines Band will attend, and the offshore patrol vessel HMS Tyne will berth at Kirkwall harbour from Sunday to Wednesday, October 13-16.

The weekend’s events start on Saturday evening with a Royal Navy presentation at the Kirkwall branch of the Royal British Legion from 6pm to 7pm, followed by a concert in St Magnus Cathedral starting at 7.30pm. Both events are free and open to the public.

On Sunday there will be a parade and Drumhead Service to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Orkney Sea Cadets.

The Royal Marines Band will lead a parade of cadets of TS Thorfinn, along with members of local youth groups and the Reservists of 71 Engineer Army Reserve unit, to a Drumhead Service which will be held outside St Magnus Cathedral.

Thorfinn will be presented with a new ‘Colour’, which they will then carry at the head of the parade round to the Royal British Legion. The parade begins at 1pm.

Monday marks the 74th anniversary of the sinking of HMS Royal Oak with a service at Scapa starting at 10am before the laying of wreaths over the site of the wreck.