ONE of Britain’s most famous wartime victories, fought against the combined French and Spanish fleets in 1805, has been celebrated in Madron, near Penzance.

Sailors from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose paraded through the village on Sunday, October 20, to remember the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Lord Nelson.

Led by the HMS Seahawk Volunteer Band, a guard, colour party and platoon of trainees were joined by members of the Sea Cadets, Royal Naval Association and the Royal British Legion.

The parade made its way to St Maddern’s Church where a thanksgiving service was held, the same parish church that held the first thanksgiving service over 200 years ago, just days following the historic sea battle.

Organised by Madron Parish Council, the annual event is always held on the Sunday closest to October 21. It was on this day in 1805, that an outnumbered British fleet of ships achieved victory under the command of Lord Admiral Nelson, who was mortally wounded during the battle.

The story goes that following the Battle of Trafalgar, the topsail schooner HMS Pickle set sail for Falmouth and along the way passed on news of the victory and the death of Lord Admiral Nelson to fishermen in Mount’s Bay.

They promptly returned to Penzance and spread the news to town mayor, Thomas Giddy, who led a procession to Madron Parish Church where the Nelson Banner, which was hastily prepared to mourn the death of Nelson, was paraded for the first time. The banner is now kept in Madron Parish Church and paraded each year at this memorial service to his ‘Immortal Memory’

Penzance mayor Stephen Reynolds said: “Trafalgar Day is a unique and special event, and a reminder not only of the close historical ties between Madron and Penzance, but also of our small but significant role in British naval history with the first announcement of the death of Nelson and the victory of Trafalgar.

“Madron Parochial Church Council and parish council deserve great credit for keeping this tradition alive, and for me personally it’s always an honour and a pleasure to be invited to the “mother church” of Penzance overlooking Mounts Bay.”

Following the thanksgiving service in Madron Parish Church, the parade filed past Landithy Hall, where commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose Captain Stuart Irwin took the salute.

Representing Penzance Council, the mayor of Penzance was joined at the Trafalgar Day event by councillors Joan Beveridge, Bonnie Jackson, and Penny Young.