Madron parade marks the day Penzance heard Nelson had fallen

Fishermen in Mount’s Bay heard it first. More than 200 years later, a West Cornwall village is still marking the moment the news came ashore.

Sailors from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose paraded through the streets of Madron, near Penzance, on Sunday (18 October) to remember the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Lord Nelson.

The 1805 battle, fought against the combined French and Spanish fleets, is one of Britain’s most famous wartime victories. And Madron has a link to it that goes right back to the days after it was won.

📷Credit: Penzance Council

Navy, veterans and a volunteer band

Led by the HMS Seahawk Volunteer Band, Royal Navy Ratings were joined by members of the Royal Naval Association and the Royal British Legion.

The parade made its way to St Maddern’s Church. It is the same parish church that held the first thanksgiving service, just days after the sea battle.

The annual event is organised by Madron Parish Council and is always held on the Sunday closest to 21 October. It was on that date in 1805 that an outnumbered British fleet won the battle under the command of Lord Nelson, who was mortally wounded during the fighting.

📷Credit: Penzance Council

How the news reached Penzance

The story goes that after the battle, the topsail schooner HMS Pickle set sail for Falmouth. Along the way it passed on news of the victory, and of Nelson’s death, to fishermen in Mount’s Bay.

They headed straight back to Penzance and told the town’s mayor, Thomas Giddy. He led a procession to Madron Parish Church, where the Nelson Banner, hastily prepared to mourn Nelson, was paraded for the first time.

The original banner is now on show at Penlee House Gallery & Museum. A replica is kept in Madron Parish Church and is paraded each year at the memorial service to his “Immortal Memory”.

📷Credit: Penzance Council

“An old and established tradition”

Mayor of Penzance Cllr Andy Law joined this year’s Trafalgar and Nelson Thanksgiving Parade, alongside Penzance Council councillors Stephen Reynolds and Penny Young.

“It is a privilege to have been invited to be a part of the wonderful celebrations for Trafalgar Day,” he said. “It is an honour to be continuing such an old and established tradition that began with Thomas Giddy, the Mayor of Penzance in 1805.

“What makes this event particularly exciting and meaningful though, is not just the historical tradition, but the present-day meaning, where the residents of Madron come together to celebrate their local community and to pay their respects to current serving armed forces personnel from RNAS Culdrose, Veterans and Sea Cadets.

“A huge thank you to everyone from Madron Parish Council and the church who have organised this commemorative service and keep it alive for the generations to come.”

📷Credit: Penzance Council

“Quite a spectacle”

Hugh Eddy, Chairman of Madron Parish Council, said: “We’ve had a really good turnout today, and it’s quite a spectacle. It’s actually really good community relations, I think, and gives the residents of Madron the opportunity to see the Royal Navy parade through our village.”

After the thanksgiving service in Madron Parish Church, the parade filed past Landithy Hall, where commanding officer of RNAS Culdrose executive officer Commander Andrew ‘Scooby’ Plenty took the salute.

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council

📷Credit: Penzance Council