HMS York

The Ship

HMS York is a Type 42 Destroyer. Built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders Limited, she was launched on 20th June 1982 by Lady Gosling and commissioned into the Royal Navy on 9 August 1985. She is the twelfth Royal Navy ship to bear the name “York” and is the last of the Type 42 destroyers to be built for the Royal Navy.

Very proud of such a historic name, the ship has a strong affiliation with the City of York, who bestowed the Freedom of The City on the ship in March 1991. Lady Gosling is also the ship's sponsor and her charities include the Children's ward, York Hospital and St. Leonards Hospice, York. She has affilitations with Nestle UK Ltd. and The York Lions to name but a few.

HMS York was used on the coast of Beirut during Operation JINA, following the successful evacuation of entitled personnel from Beirut in Aug 2006. She is to visit the Mediterranean in October 2007 before an extensive refit in the New Year.

The Reception

Over 160 guests attended the reception, which proved very successful; even the weather could not have been more perfect, as it was a glorious and sunny summer evening. We were very lucky to have the Band of H M Royal Marines Scotland at the event, playing incidental music during the reception. The climax to the evening was the band playing Beating Retreat and Sunset ceremony on the quayside.

The event was an opportunity for SaBRE to thank employers for their continued support for the Reserve Forces - photos....

Employers were given the opportunity to meet with members of both Regular and Reserve Forces onboard a working ship. The employers were given short tours of the ship and were also given short briefings at various stances. For example one such stance was explaining various ways to rescue a man overboard situation, e.g. lifeboat launch from the ship, how, who and when that would be used.

Six SaBRE certificates were also presented to companies for their continued support for the Reserve Forces. These companies have registered their support for the Reserve Forces and most of the companies had or at some point employed Reservists within their organisations - photos.....

Presentations

The regional SaBRE Campaign Director, Sally Tulley, was delighted that the Reception on board HMS York created an opportunity for both the Lord Lieutenant for the East Riding, Mrs Susan Cunliffe Lister, and the Ship’s Captain, Commander Tim Cryar, to present a small number of Certificates to supportive organisations - photos.....

The six who received their certificates have confirmed their support to their members of staff who are also part of the Volunteer Reserve Forces, whether they are in the Royal Maritime Reserves, the Territorial Army, or the Royal Auxiliary Air Force here in Yorkshire and the Humber. In many instances the employer has a policy in place which allows these reservists extra paid leave to complete their annual training commitment, certainly allowing flexibility in the workplace and in some cases, their reservist has been mobilised in support of operations abroad.

All of which adds to the support that is essential if the Reserves, who are a highly trained and integral part of the UK Armed Forces, are to continue to work along side them when required.

Should you consider that your company is supportive towards the Volunteer Reserve Forces or would like to to find out more about SaBRE, please either contact Sally direct or log onto www.sabre.mod.uk