A GULF-bound team of sailors found time in their schedule to take their ship ‘home’ before they head east.
MCM2 Crew 5 – motto Five star: Simply the Best – are preparing to deploy to the Gulf this summer.
But first they took the chance to sail HMS Hurworth to the north-east of England, the first such visit in three years.
The Hunt-class ship berthed in Hartlepool to allow the sailors a home-town run in the village of Hurworth-on-Tees, and to pay a visit to their namesake the Hurworth Hunt.
While in Hartlepool the minehunter welcomed the public on board, as well as inviting Sea Cadet units and Sea Scout troops to take a look around.
Hurworth Primary School invited Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Charles Maynard and members of his ship’s company to visit, and the sailors spent some time telling pupils and staff what the ship has been up to and her plans for the future.
The youngsters were keen to know whether the sailors would see any pirates while away from home, and will keep in touch through the internet and through more traditional methods – postcards.
Some of the ship’s company went to one of Hurworth’s affiliated charities, Rockcliffe Court residential care home, where they carried out some hard labour in the gardens, including painting the bandstand and various items of garden furniture.
They also took the time to meet staff and residents.
Another party visited the kennels of the local hunt, where they met more than 40 working dogs and then were introduced to the next generation – and such was the impression they made that the Master of the Hunt had to make sure none of the young puppies went back with the sailors in the form of a ship’s mascot.
The hunt, which dates back to the 18th Century, was presented with a new White Ensign, to be displayed at hunt meetings, and in return the ship was given a photographic recreation of a 19th century oil painting of the hunt.
Crew 5 will return to HMS Hurworth in the New Year after their deployment, and hope to mark that return with a parade through the County Durham village.