SPURTLE GOES PELL MELL TO REVIVE TRAFALGAR DAY

Submitted by Editor on Thu, 21/10/2010 - 08:19

For the second year running, Nelson's signal has not been displayed at the Royal Navy and Royal Marine Club on Broughton Road.

The running-up of flags was for many years a distinctive Trafalgar Day tradition in Broughton, but despite Spurtle's calls to revive the practice nothing has yet been done.

The bare flagpole stands forlorn, reminiscent of an aircraft carrier with no aircraft.

However, there is still a lot of 21 October left, so we intend to bring about change with a series of inspiring nautical messages throughout the day on Twitter (@thespurtle). The full texts will also appear here at intervals, smoke of battle permitting.

We commence with a rousing traditional favourite adapted for the occasion:

08:15 – SPURTLE CONFIDES THAT EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY

09:26 – CORRECTION: SPURTLE CONFIDES THAT EVERYONE WILL DO THEIR DUTY

10:32 – CORRECTION 2: SPURTLE CONFIDES THAT EVERYONE WILL TRY THEIR HARDEST

11:30 – CORRECTION 3: SPURTLE URGES EVERYONE TO TAKE PART

13:07 – CORRECTION 4: SPURTLE SUGGESTS ANYONE WHO FEELS THEY COULD MIGHT LIKE TO HAVE A GO

13:50 – CORRECTION 5: SPURTLE BACKS RESPONSIBLE VOLUNTEERS ASPIRING TO PARTNERED CHANGE & MUTUAL LEARNING/GROWTH OUTCOMES

14:20 – CORRECTION 6: SPURTLE HOPES RESPONSIBLE ADULTS WILL RESPECT THE DIVERSE FEELINGS & EQUALLY VALUED CONTRIBUTIONS OF OTHERS

15:00 – SPURTLE SPIES SIGNALS ON BROUGHTON ROAD. WE ARE CLOSING TO ENGAGE WITH THE 10-PIXELS

16:30 – BY GOD'S GRACE & OVERWHELMING FORCE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, NELSON'S SIGNAL FLIES AGAIN IN BROUGHTON. HUZZA!

BROUGHTON ROAD: A GREAT VICTORY FOR SEADOGS AND HORNBLOWER FANS

Steward Tom Phinn and Committee member Sean Rowley had been hampered by the lack of signalmen at the RNRMC. However, they resourcefully scoured the internet to ascertain the correct order of flags and overcame a defective pulley at the top of the pole, before successfully hoisting: ENGLAND EXPECTS THAT EVERY MAN WILL DO HIS DUTY.

The signal will remain in place until after this Sunday's Trafalgar celebration dinner.

Next year will be the centenary of the Club's establishment (on 21.10.1911), and members are particularly keen that everything should go off well. If you know of a retired signalman in Edinburgh with time and expertise to offer, please get in touch.