Adopted warship is due back in Ipswich

IPSWICH'S adopted warship HMS Grafton was due back in town this morning after sailing into port along the River Orwell.

The ship, which was given the Freedom of Ipswich in 2000, will be visiting for five days to celebrate its links with the town.

It was due to be escorted into Ipswich docks by two Wattisham-based helicopters from 4 Regiment Army Air Corps, where the mayor of Ipswich was officially welcoming it into dock.

Events scheduled around the visit include a full dress parade through the town on Friday . The ship will then open to the public on Saturday and Sunday .

The 'Freedom of Ipswich' parade on Friday will include formal salute of the Commanding Officers of the HMS Grafton and 4 Regiment Army Air Corps in front of the town at the Town Hall, Cornhill, Ipswich at 4pm.

HMS Grafton is then open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm each day.

Visitors will be able to board the ship for a tour and to view displays on the work of the Royal Navy and the Army Air Corps. There will also be the opportunity to meet Royal Navy staff and crew.

Also, in a bid to promote navy careers, six local hospitality students will be spending two days on board the Grafton putting their skills to the test as they experience life as a navy chef.

The students, who are from Suffolk College, Ipswich, and West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds also took part in the Royal Navy Culinary Challenge Cup earlier this year.

The affiliated Royal Navy ship went under the name of HMS Suffolk earlier this year to film a fictional drama series – Making Waves – for Carlton television.

The six-part series, starring Eastenders bad-boy - actor Alex Ferns, who played Trevor – was filmed with many of the real-life crew of HMS Grafton as extras and life on board ship continued around the TV cameras and set.

The ship had to be transformed into a fictional vessel with nameplates and funnel badges, and provided the stage for the series.