Record numbers of people flocked to the HMS Sultan Summer Show, enticed out by the good weather.

With receipts totalling around £29,000 – £10,000 up on 2001 – local, national and Naval charities can expect sizeable contributions from the Gosport training establishment.

Lt Cdr Mike Buckley, who helped organise the show, said: “We had a lot more people this year, which created a great atmosphere.”

The weekend’s events began with a free funfair for special needs children, opened by Commodore Neil Latham.

Personnel from HMS Sultan dressed up as pirates to escort the children on the rides.

As events at the fair got under way, the officers of HMS Sultan, the Royal Navy’s Air and Marine Engineering training establishment, entertained local dignitaries to a charity cocktail party.

One of the highlights of the weekend was the programme of events in the arena, including the Kangaroo Kid, a motorbike and quad bike stuntman who has just finished filming the latest James Bond film Die Another Day.

Also performing in the main arena were the Tigers children’s motorcycle display team and the Royal Navy Raiders parachute display team.

Arena events finished each day with Beat Retreat, performed by the Royal Marines band.
Rear Admiral Peter Davies, Flag Officer Training and Recruitment, took the salute on Saturday and Mrs Iris Binfield, Deputy Mayor of Gosport, officiated on Sunday.

Last year charities benefited to the tune of £15,000, including donations to the Gosport War Memorial Hospital, the Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service and St Mary’s Junior Sailing Club.