Armed Forces Day, Gogmagog and Plymouth visitors

By The Captain, maritime correspondent, The Beagle

As usual, Armed Forces Day was very popular and Plymouth is clearly well to the fore nationally in enthusiastic attendance: The Hoe was a hive of activity all day on Saturday and the crowds were estimated at 45000 strong. There were the usual displays of military equipment from a Royal Navy Merlin helicopter to the Royal Artillery’s 29 Commando Regiment with their guns.

The musical offerings continued throughout the day, and into the evening concert, with displays from so many great teams that it would be invidious to name just a few. As the last Beagle noted, the lack of benches was a problem, especially for many of the Veterans attending. Whilst the weather was obviously not kind to the aviators, the flying display was a disappointment with just the Fleet Air Arm’s lone Swordfish biplane (now owned and run by the charity Navy Wings).

Nevertheless, a great day.

Meanwhile, down at the Corinthian on the seafront, the Giants of Plymouth Hoe have returned to the Citadel’s slopes – introduced by local historian Chris Robinson and serenaded by Seth Lakeman, who had written and performed a new song – The Giants of Plymouth Hoe.

The artist behind the Giants is Charles Newington (www.charlesnewington.com). He produced the Invicta White Horse – cut into the chalk near Folkestone in 2003 and is hoping to be able to return the two Giants to The Hoe. Many will remember that they were here, temporarily, in 2021 (photo above) – they echo a prominent feature recorded in the Middle Ages. Returning them, permanently, will be challenging and will involve the full panoply of our bureaucracy - planners, environmental studies, archaeological research, Historic England (just hopefully no ‘bat tunnels’!).

Costs are estimated at £90k to return The Giants permanently, but, compared with £35M for the City Centre trees, this looks like a bargain for the City & would give us another icon to complement Seaton’s Tower. Next time – who was Gogmagog…

Finally, today (Monday June 30) on The Sound was busy – the Saga cruise ship Spirit of Discovery an A class nuclear submarine, the Royal Navy’s HMS Trent, Hurworth, Iron Duke and Express, as well as the two Germans, presently under training here, FGS Sachsen and Sachsen-Anhalt, all seen and enjoyed.