‘I confide in you that your deeds will make the sea rise again in the hearts and souls of all.”

With those words Nelson – or rather actor Alex Naylor, in the guise of Nelson – addressed the guests at a 247th birthday party thrown for the Navy’s greatest hero in the Naval Board Room at Somerset House.

He was encouraging the gathered guests to do their utmost in promoting SeaBritain 2005, a nationwide celebration of Britain’s relationship with the sea that will coincide next year with a programme of events marking the bicentenary of his victory at Trafalgar – a decisive action that established the UK’s maritime supremacy for more than a century and enabled the phenomenal growth of the country’s trade and industry in the same period.

Leading Nelson expert Dr Colin White reminded the party guests that the Navy Board Room, where the business side of the Senior Service was conducted, was very well known to Nelson.

“He came here many times in his life – especially in September 1805 where he came to consult members of the Board on his plans to bring the combined French/Spanish fleet to battle,” said Colin.

“Ironically, on his 46th birthday Nelson had written to his mistress Emma Hamilton hoping for a few years ‘peace and quietness’. He didn’t get them ...”

Colin is Chairman of the Official Nelson Commemorations Committee, which is co-ordinating a bicentenary Trafalgar Festival.

“The range and diversity of events marking the bicentenary reminds us of the great significance of Trafalgar as a defining moment in Britain’s history, as well as the leadership, heroism and courage demonstrated by Nelson and his captains,” he said.

“Public interest in the story of Nelson is high, and the events planned for the bicentenary will provide opportunities for everybody to learn more about an enduring hero.

“The Trafalgar Festival is the inspiration for the SeaBritain 2005 celebrations, and my committee has been delighted to bring its events under the SeaBritain 2005 banner.”

Chairman of SeaBritain 2005 David Quarmby said: “For the past year we have been creating enthusiasm across the country for this exceptional celebration of the sea.

“We have been overwhelmed at the response from so many organisations which have taken the concept from us to create excitement within their communities.

“SeaBritain 2005 is a truly nationwide celebration, with events ranging in size from small local community walks to large-scale international festivals.

“It will encourage people to spend time by the water, hire a boat, visit a historic ship or one of Britain’s many maritime museums or simply enjoy waterside pubs and seafood restaurants.

“Our event planner at www.seabritain2005.com is already packed with over 200 events before we have even begun to promote SeaBritain 2005 to the general public.”

Leading the Navy’s programme as director general of Trafalgar 200 was Rear Admiral James Rapp, who spoke of Nelson as an “international icon”.

Among the confirmed Trafalgar Festival events are:

Throughout 2005: Trafalgar Woods Project
A programme by the Woodland Trust of planting 27 copses throughout Britain, each named after one of the British ships at Trafalgar

June 28: International Fleet Review
At Portsmouth, with vessels from 40 navies and many other craft, including merchant ships and some of the world’s finest tall ships. Also including a Son et Lumiere, featuring a theatrical illustration of a Napoleonic era sea battle using tall ships, pyrotechnics, music, screens and radio broadcasts culminating in a massive firework display and illumination of the Fleet

June 29: International drumhead ceremony
On Southsea Common with veterans from many nations and conflicts invited to remember the fallen

June 30-July 3: International Festival of the Sea
At Portsmouth, a 12-hours-per-day programme of music, crafts, arts, promenade theatre, historical re-enactment, street performers, water activities, exhibitions etc with a Trafalgar theme and featuring displays by today’s Armed Forces. Tickets now on sale with a 40 per cent discount for Service personnel

July-September: The Nelson Tour
An educational tour of British ports by a replica of HM Schooner Pickle, the ship which originally carried the news of Nelson’s death back to Britain. Pickle will carry a team of actor-interpreters playing Nelson and his entourage

July 7-November 13: Nelson & Napoleon
The historical exhibition of the year and the first to explore together the lives of two dominant leaders and adversaries, at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich

July 13-15: Europe at War
The Trafalgar Campaign in context – a three-day international conference in Greenwich and central London, looking at the political, social and cultural context of Trafalgar, as well as the military and naval events

August 4-September 11: The New Trafalgar Dispatch
A recreation of the voyage of Pickle from Cape Trafalgar to Falmouth in 1805 and the subsequent drive by post chaise to London to deliver the news of the British victory and Nelson’s death. The route will be identified and marked permanently as the Trafalgar Way and public events are being organised along it

September 16: The Thames Nelson Flotilla
A recreation of Nelson’s waterborne funeral procession from Greenwich to Whitehall, assembling the largest flotilla on the Thames in modern times, including traditional Thames craft, Dunkirk Little Ships, barges and HMS Victory’s cutter

October 13-16: The Trafalgar Heroes
An international weekend of events to honour all those who fought on both sides, to include a conference, concert, civic events and an ecumenical service at Portsmouth Cathedral

October 21-23: The Trafalgar Weekend
Organised throughout the UK and Channel Islands will be the national and international focal point of the Trafalgar Festival. Launched at the House of Commons. Details from Bruno Peek on 07768 350804

October 22: Royal Albert Hall Trafalgar Night
A musical celebration of the sea and commemoration

October 23: Trafalgar Square
The Royal Navy, in conjunction with the Sea Cadet Association, stages a special programme of events

October 23: St Paul’s Cathedral
The Royal Navy’s Trafalgar 200 programme concludes with a special service to commemorate Nelson at St Paul’s, where he is buried

Among the organisations operating SeaBritain 2005 and staging events are the National Maritime Museum, VisitBritain, the National Trust, Royal Yachting Association, British Marine Federation, SeaVision UK, Trinity House and a large number of other national and local organisations, with the support of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.