HMS Bulwark Visits Durham City

HMS Bulwark Visits Durham CityCrew members of HMS Bulwark made the most of a rare opportunity for a round of golf with a match against members of Durham City.  HMS Bulwark is one of the Royal Navy’s newest and most technologically advanced ships and was visiting Sunderland prior to completing a busy programme of trials and training.

The short stay enabled the ship’s crew to renew its strong affiliations with County Durham and the many organisations and charities it already associates with.

It is hoped that this match proves to be the inaugural fixture with a return match being planned in Plymouth later in the year.  After the match Lt Commander Jim Morley thanked the club for their hospitality and presented the club captain, Gerry Jones with a ship’s insignia. The club reciprocated with the gift of a large box of balls donated by club members. The only chance the crew get to practice is hitting shots out to sea from the back of the ship. This may explain why so many shots found their way into the River Browney but not why it was the Durham City members doing it. The only reason for that could have been Pusser’s Rum, a time honoured naval tipple, provided by Gerry for the players to toast the start of a long relationship between Durham City and HMS Bulwark.