Sorry Linda & Tony if this is too "off topic" but I thought it might interest those with any connections with Battle of Trafalgar. It's an article from today's Norwich Evening News (Nelson was born in Norfolk) I'm going to shine a light on Lord Nelson's Parade A Craftsman said he was honoured to create three special torches to be used in the Battle of Trafalgar bicentenary celebrations. The torches are made of wood from Nelson's flagship. A craftsman has made torches out of wood from HMS Victory to be used in a commemorative event for the bicentary of the Battle of Trafalgar. Rodney Matless of Crownthorpe, near Wymondham, made the torches using oak from Lord Nelson's flagship. They will feature in the spectacular Torches of Remembrance parade in the International Drumhead Ceremony of Southsea Common, Portsmouth, next Wednesday. ... Profesional cutler, 60 yr old Mr Matless .... was invited by the organisers to make the torches. He spent 40 hours making each one. He said "I feel honoured to have made these torches and I am looking forward to seeing them in the ceremony. Norfolk is Nelson's county. It is fitting that the torches are made here." The three oil-burning torches, made from HMS Victory oak and copper plating, represent the themes of vision, remembrance and service. When they are placed together they resemble belaying pins like those seen on the side of a ship and which ropes are attached to. He said "For the vision torch I chose the worst pieces of wood I could find to show that you make something out of anything, even if it seems impossible" The words peace, justice, freedom, security, hope & friends are engraved on it. The remembrance torch resembles a cross with the saying "In the rising of the sun and in its going down we will remember them" written on it. The service torch includes the phrase 'Blown by one wind. tossed by one wave, united by a common bond' "This torch is slightly slanted to represent it being blown and I have used wood that that shattered by the sea and makes a wave like shape". The three torches were blessed at Burnham Thorpe church, were Nelson's father, Edmund, was once Reverend, before their trip to Portsmouth...." Hope someone finds that useful. Rita