Trip is an inspired idea
10:56am Monday 7th April 2008
BACK in 1805 Penzance became the first town in the country to learn about Nelson's victory and death at the Battle of Trafalgar.
There were no mobile phones, 24-hour news channels or e-mails in those days and it was necessary for the official report of those famous historic events to be carried back to the Admiralty in England on HMS Pickle, a fast schooner.
At one point it anchored in Mounts Bay and fishermen working nearby heard the news and took it back to Penzance.
The Mayor, Thomas Giddy, interrupted a ball at the Union Hotel in Chapel Street and made an announcement from the balcony.
A banner was made hastily and the people of Penzance walked from the harbour to Madron Church to give thanks for the victory and to mourn Nelson's death.
The banner is still there and is used to lead a procession when the annual memorial service is held.
I am telling you all this because 13 regulars from the House Without A Name in Harwood (known in those parts as the "No-Name") are due back in Bolton today after a week-end trip to the Union Hotel.
The anniversary of the battle is commemorated every October 21 with a breakfast, a ceremonial firing of a miniature cannon, tots of rum and a coach trip around various local hostelries.
The trip to Penzance was an inspired idea and I am sorry I was not able to go.