§ Lord Steinbergasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans have been made, if any, to commemorate next year the Battle of Trafalgar 1805; and, if plans are not yet in hand, whether they propose to hold such a commemoration. [HL333]
94WA
§ Lord McIntosh of HaringeyThe bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar is the inspiration forSeaBritain 2005, a national celebration of Britain's maritime heritage and links with the sea. SeaBritain 2005 is an initiative led by the National Maritime Museum, in partnership with many leading national and regional bodies, including VisitBritain, the Official Nelson Commemorations Committee, the Royal Navy and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
At the heart of SeaBritain 2005 is the Trafalgar Festival, with events throughout summer and autumn 2005 to mark the bicentenary. Highlights will include an international fleet review, son et lumiére and firework display at Spithead in the Solent, an international Drumhead ceremony on Southsea Common and an international festival of the sea at HM Naval Base Portsmouth, recreations of the delivery of Vice-Admiral Collingwood's Trafalgar dispatch to London and Nelson's waterborne funeral procession from Greenwich to Whitehall, and commemorative tree-plantings for schools in Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The climax of the festival will be the Trafalgar Weekend of 21 to 23 October, with a commemorative dinner in HMS "Victory" on 21 October, a musical celebration of the sea and the Battle of Trafalgar at the Royal Albert Hall on 22 October, and on 23 October, the Sea Cadets' parade in Trafalgar Square and services of commemoration at St Paul's Cathedral, where Nelson is buried, and St Nicholas's Church, Great Yarmouth, where he worshipped in 1801 on his return from the Battle of Copenhagen.
The Trafalgar Festival will emphasise the involvement of young people, demonstrating to them the continuing importance of the sea to Britain and the richness of our maritime heritage. SeaBritain 2005 will encourage all to take part in the festival or to develop their own events under its umbrella, with the aim of leaving a legacy that will stimulate interest in the sea and inland waters. Full details of all events planned as part of SeaBritain 2005, including the Trafalgar Festival, can be found on the SeaBritain web-site at www.SeaBritain2005.com. Details of the Navy Board's Trafalgar 200 events can be found at www.trafalgar200.com.