FOLLOWING the decommissioning of HMS Penzance earlier this year, the Freedom of the Town has been formally returned to Penzance. 

At a small ceremony held at St John’s Hall on Thursday, September 12, lieutenant commander Trevor Brookes, resident naval officer, alongside Ex-HMS Penzance crewmen ET(WE) Wall and Lieutenant Owen Leo Moore RN, handed back the Freedom of the Town to the mayor of Penzance alongside the ship’s bell, honours board and name plates.

HMS Penzance handing back the Freedom of the Town ceremony in front of St John's Hall, Penzance, on Thursday 12 September 2024. Lt Cdr Trevor Brookes is joined by Commodore Miller, Lt Owen Leo Moore and ETWE Callum Ward to hand back the Freedom of the Town to Mayor of Penzance, Councillor Stephen Reynolds in a short ceremony following the de-commission of HMS Penzance earlier this year.
Group photo of the ceremony. Picture: Penzance Council

In return, a framed photograph of Penzance Harbour looking towards St Michael's Mount at sunrise was presented by the mayor on behalf of the town as a memento of the historic link between the town and the ship. 

The ceremony was also attended by the deputy lord-lieutenant of Cornwall, commodore Jamie Miller CBE DL and representatives from the RNLI Penlee Lifeboat, both Mousehole and Madron & Heamoor Royal British Legions, Penzance Old Cornwall Society, and by current councillors, former mayors and honorary freemen of the parish. 

HMS Penzance handing back the Freedom of the Town ceremony in front of St John's Hall, Penzance, on Thursday 12 September 2024. Lt Cdr Trevor Brookes is joined by Commodore Miller, Lt Owen Leo Moore and ETWE Callum Ward to hand back the Freedom of the Town to Mayor of Penzance, Councillor Stephen Reynolds in a short ceremony following the de-commission of HMS Penzance earlier this year.
The mayor of Penzance presents lieutenant commander Trevor Brookes with a framed photo of Penzance Harbour. Picture: Penzance Council

HMS Penzance, a Sandown Class minehunter, was decommissioned by the Royal Navy in January this year after twenty-seven years of service. Launched by Princess Michael of Kent on March 11 1997, she completed numerous deployments, including operations in the Gulf. It has played a crucial part in global maritime security and participating in multinational exercises. 

“Penzance throughout its history has looked to the sea, for food, for trade and even to watch out against foreign raiders. So, it has been marvellous to have a ship of the Royal Navy named after us for so long,” said colonel Sir Edward Bolitho KCVO OBE, lord-lieutenant of Cornwall. 

HMS Penzance handing back the Freedom of the Town ceremony in front of St John's Hall, Penzance, on Thursday 12 September 2024. Lt Cdr Trevor Brookes is joined by Commodore Miller, Lt Owen Leo Moore and ETWE Callum Ward to hand back the Freedom of the Town to Mayor of Penzance, Councillor Stephen Reynolds in a short ceremony following the de-commission of HMS Penzance earlier this year.
Lieutenant Commander Trevor Brookes hands the Freedom of the Town to Cllr Stephen Reynolds, mayor of Penzance. Picture: Penzance Council

“We are proud of the affiliation, and very sad to be losing her and hope for a fifth HMS Penzance sometime soon. Meanwhile, we will treasure her name boards, bell and honours board and keep them safe for the future.” 

Lt Cdr Trevor Brookes, resident naval officer, said: “It was my honour to be part of this handover ceremony of these important artifacts from your affiliated ship - HMS Penzance. When in homeland waters, I have supported her visits to Cornwall and arranged ships visits for civic representatives and local Sea Cadet units.” 

HMS Penzance handing back the Freedom of the Town ceremony in front of St John's Hall, Penzance, on Thursday 12 September 2024. Lt Cdr Trevor Brookes is joined by Commodore Miller, Lt Owen Leo Moore and ETWE Callum Ward to hand back the Freedom of the Town to Mayor of Penzance, Councillor Stephen Reynolds in a short ceremony following the de-commission of HMS Penzance earlier this year.
The ship's bell. Picture: Penzance Council

Cllr Stephen Reynolds, mayor of Penzance, added: “HMS Penzance has proudly borne the name of our town on her numerous deployments at home and abroad – a witness to our own maritime heritage and our continuing role as a port town. I am honoured to have received, on behalf of the people of Penzance, these physical reminders of the close association between the town and the vessel that bore its name.” 

The items given to the town will be safely stored with the aim to have them on public display in the near future to commemorate the long association between the town and the Royal Navy.