Napoleonic Newsdesk

Nelson Returns to Great Yarmouth:
Nov. 5-6, 2000

by Paul Chamberlain

Following his triumph at the Battle of the Nile, Lord Nelson left the Mediterranean and made his way home overland visiting several countries and receiving great acclaim from the Royal Courts of Europe. He finally set foot upon English soil in November 1800 in his home county of Norfolk. He received a tumultuous welcome from the townsfolk and was immediately made a Freeman of The Borough amid great rejoicing that continued for two days. Great Yarmouth is a medieval town whose Royal Charter was granted in the 11th Century and whose town was built in the 13th Century; much of which is still standing. The town is located on the east coast of Britain and once acted as the homeport for the North Sea and Baltic fleets. Indeed, Nelson returned to Yarmouth just five months before the Baltic fleet assembled prior to the Battle of Copenhagen.

On 5th and 6th November 2000, a great pageant will re-enact Nelson Returns to Great Yarmouth, and will involve the present day population of the town and the surrounding Norfolk villages. The pageant will involve a costumed cast of 500.

The programme is:

Sunday 5th November

10.30am - 12.00pm The Landing Ceremony (South Quay, Great Yarmouth)
Rear-Admiral Nelson, accompanied by Lord and Lady Hamilton, will sail in on The Grand Turk (one of the vessels used in the Hornblower TV series) and land at South Quay, to a broadside of firing cannon, music and cheers from the gathered crowds. Nelson will step ashore and be greeted by the Volunteer Regiment and the band of the Honourable Artillery Company who will play Welcome a Conquering Hero Comes. Various music and drill displays will take place.

2.00pm - 3.15pm The Freedom Ceremony (Market Place, Great Yarmouth)
Nelson will make his way to the Market Place, where he will be given the Freedom of the Borough and be entertained by marching displays from the two Volunteer Regiments and the band of the Honourable Artillery Company.

6.30pm - 7.45pm Victory Celebration (Market Place, Great Yarmouth)
Nelson will return to the Market Place where he will attend a Victory Celebration and be entertained by the Band of the Honourable Artillery Company and singing from a choir of 200. The finale to the evening celebration will be a spectacular 15-minute aerial firework display.

Monday 6th November

3.30pm onwards Nelson's Farewell to Great Yarmouth (South Quay, Great Yarmouth)
Nelson will make a short farewell address from the deck of The Grand Turk before he leaves the town in a horse-drawn carriage escorted by the two Volunteer Regiments.

This promises to be a spectacular event. The three displays on the Sunday are priced at £13.99 per person for each separate event. Seating will be raised to ensure that everyone has an excellent view. All profits from the event will go to King George's Fund For Sailors. Further details may be obtained from The GYTA Pageant Office, Anglia House, Riverside Road, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, NR31 6PX. Tel: 01493 657575, or visit the events website: www.great-yarmouth.co.uk.nelson.html

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