HMS Argyll Welcomes on Board Her Sponsor

Plymouth based Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll welcomed on board her sponsor, Lady Wendy Levene, and members of the her affiliated Livery Company, The Worshipful Company of Paviors on Thu 06 December 12. Lady Levene launched HMS Argyll in 1989 at Yarrow Shipyard and has participated in the commissioning in 1991 and 2 dedications since then, the last in December 2010 after her lengthy refit.

Lady Levene said:

“It is a great privilege for me to be the Sponsor of HMS Argyll. What an experience to have spent more than 24 hours sharing in the ships daily life and training exercises.

“She is a credit to the Royal Navy and the country, the Captain, Commander Tim Neild, the officers, the Ships Company should be immensely proud of her achievements, I certainly am!”

Lady Levene has been involved in many charitable and voluntary organisations over many years.

A former Trustee of Chatham Dockyard and a founding Trustee of the Museum in Docklands she is currently Chair of Development and Trustee of the Jewish Museum London and a member of the development working group for the Royal National Theatre London.

She is also Patron of the City of London Sea Cadets based in HMS Belfast and during her time as Lady Mayoress of London she was instrumental in raising £6 million for Lord Mayors charity Leuka 2000 to build a leukaemia unit at Hammersmith Hospital.

Accompanying her during the visit were 3 members of The Worshipful Company of Paviors, one of the Livery Companies of the City of London.

Formed in 1276 they were later responsible for the paving and maintenance of the City streets. The Paviors have since been relieved of these duties.

The company, whose members who are still mainly from the construction industry, now primarily function as a charitable institution.

Mr John Dance, the Upper Warden of the Worshipful Company of Paviors, said:

“The invitation to join and experience the operations on board HMS Argyll demonstrated what professional hands we are in, if an unwanted incident occurred.”

Lady Levene and the Paviors joined the ship in the South Coast Exercise Areas via her Lynx helicopter and were treated to a full capability demonstration including; a comprehensive tour of the ship and a successful firing of the ship’s primary anti-air warfare missile system, Sea Wolf, as well as medium and close range gunnery.

They had ample opportunity to chat with members of the ship’s company and were warmly received throughout.

Mr Tom Barton, a Past Master of the Paviors said:

“It was absolutely fantastic to meet so many members of the crew. I was really impressed by their tremendous professionalism, enthusiasm and team spirit.”

The visit culminated with the Paviors presenting their ‘Seaman of the Year Award’ to Engineering Technician Gareth Willey who received an engraved goblet and cheque in recognition of his outstanding contribution to HMS Argyll in the last 12 months, whilst Lady Levene presented 3 members of the ship’s company with Commanding Officer’s Efficiency Awards, each receiving framed citations and gifts for their outstanding departmental performance this year.

The visit culminated as the ship sailed in to Portsmouth for a weekend visit.

Argyll now looks forward to supporting the training of rookie pilots from 702 Naval Air Squadron through the facilitation of deck landing training, as well as the Platform Endorsement of some future Type 23 Commanding Officers.

Once everything is complete the ship will proceed on a well deserved Christmas leave followed by an intensive pre-deployment maintenance period before deploying on operations again in 2013.

Commander Tim Neild said:

 “It was pleasure to host our sponsor, Lady Levene, and the Worshipful Company of Paviors onboard.

“Lady Levene has been a long time supporter of the ship and we relish every opportunity to host her onboard – she is very fond of ‘her boys’!

“Likewise it has been an excellent opportunity for us to build on the strong links we have with our affiliates and I am sure that everyone has thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the ship.”

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Naval Today Staff, December 12, 2012; Image: Royal Navy