Thousands attend historic Royal Navy Field Gun tournament
ITV Meridian reporter Chlöe Oliver has been along to HMS Collingwood's open day
More than 2000 people turned out to show their support to the annual Royal Navy Field Gun tournament in Hampshire.
It was part of an annual open day at the Royal Navy's largest training establishment, HMS Collingwood in Fareham in Hampshire.
2022 winners, HMS Seahawk successfully retained the Brickwoods Trophy and were crowned the fastest crew of 2023.
Twenty crews from the Royal Navy, Marines, Army and RAF compete in the historic annual Field Gun competition.
From HMS Prince of Wales, based in Portsmouth, to RAF and Army units from as far away as Cyprus and Naples - all have been preparing to take part in the tough physical challenge.
Commander Martyn Tait, Vice Chairman of Royal Navy Field Gun, explains the history behind the race
With its origins going back to 1899, competing in Field Gun competitions demands teamwork, leadership, and moral and physical courage.
The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity Field Gun Competition is held annually at HMS Collingwood where crews from units across the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, including units from overseas such as Naples, Gibraltar and Cyprus, currently compete for the prestigious Brickwoods trophy.
Each crew of 18 highly disciplined, motivated, and physically fit Field Gunners, races to assemble and antique Field Gun and run with it, disassembling and reassembling as the competition requires, before dramatically dragging the gun 'home'.
In a thrilling final, with all the crews being cheered on by their dedicated supporters and visitors alike, it was the HMS Seahawk, Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, Cornwall, who took the honours for the second year running.
Their Field Gun Trainer said: ‘We’re extremely chuffed to win again this year. I knew we could do it, it’s such a hard-fought competition and everyone was fantastic, but we are thrilled to take the trophy!’
In additional to winning the Brickwoods Trophy, the Seahawk crew also won the Powerful Sports Cup for the fastest aggregate time across the competition and the Powerful Trophy for the fastest run.
Visitors also had the chance to visit stalls, see the Royal Navy’s training equipment and experience some training first hand, including navigating a ship into harbour in their Warship Bridge Simulator.
The day is more than just a display of strength, it’s also a chance for members of the public as well as friends and family to be invited behind the military gates at HMS Collingwood to see some of the work that goes on.
The royal navy’s largest training site is filled with displays and hands-on activities, offering a rare glimpse into the military world. Recruitment teams hoping days like these will inspire the next generation of personnel.