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Royal Navy Plots a Course for Teesdale Hms Bulwark Sailors to Help School Map out their Voyages
Sailors from County Durham’s adopted Royal Navy ship HMS Bulwark are plotting a course to Teesdale tomorrow ( Tuesday April 5 ) to re-visit pupils at the county’s smallest school.
Members of the ship’s company are to fulfil a promise they made last November to keep in touch with the 12 pupils at Forest of Teesdale School, and help them chart the ship’s progress.
At 20,000 tonnes - about the same size as a modern aircraft carrier - the amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark is one of the newest and biggest in the Royal Navy.
Later this month it is due to be officially commissioned into service at a ceremony in Devonport, after which, she could be sent on duty anywhere in the world.
The ship has formed a special affiliation with Forest of Teesdale School, and during his first visit there last November, Commanding Officer, Captain Jerry Stanford, was presented with a toy sheepdog named ‘Gel’ to serve as Bulwark’s mascot.
In return, Capt Stanford promised the ship would keep in touch with the school during its travels, and tomorrow, sailors will re-visit its pupils to give them a special map on which to chart its voyages.
“ I had heard a lot about this very progressive little school before our visit last year, and I was not disappointed,” said Capt Stanford.
“ I was very impressed with it and my colleagues and I thoroughly enjoyed our time there.
“ The children were very keen to know where our travels with HMS Bulwark would take us, so the map, and frequent e.mail messages from the ship, will help them keep up to date with our movements.”
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Note to News Editors:
You are invited to send a reporter and/or photographer to Forest of Teesdale School at 2pm on Tuesday April 5 when sailors from HMS Bulwark will present pupils with the chart.
Contact Head Teacher Mrs Carol Connolly, 01833 622220
