Why it matters: The affiliation re-establishes Ipswich's connection with the Royal Navy, providing opportunities for HMS Trumpeter to make regular visits to the town and for its crew to participate in civic events.
The details: Ipswich Borough Council approved the establishment of the affiliation at a full Council meeting on Wednesday 30 April, which was followed by a Reception in the Council Chamber attended by the Commanding Officer and crew of the vessel.
For context: HMS Trumpeter is one of 16 Archer-class patrol vessels assigned to the Coastal Forces Squadron. The ship provides maritime security within Europe's coastal waters, operated by a team of five sailors led by a Lieutenant.
The vessel, operated by a small team of five sailors, regularly contributes to UK and NATO exercises and operations in UK territorial waters, North Sea, Western Europe and Baltic Sea.
What they're saying: Councillor Neil MacDonald, Leader of Ipswich Borough Council, says: "Affiliations between naval vessels and towns is a long-established part of naval tradition, and Ipswich's tradition as a port town. The last ship the Council was affiliated with was HMS Quorn, before that, it was HMS Grafton and the bell from Grafton still hangs in the Council's headquarters.
"Affiliations create a direct link between the town and a specific ship, in this case HMS Trumpeter, which was based in the port here for much of the last decade. This affiliation means that HMS Trumpeter will make regular visits to Ipswich and the crew will participate in civic events when practical, drawing in people to our fantastic town, and encouraging local people to learn about its rich history as a port. It is always a great honour for a town to be offered the affiliation of a ship but it is particularly appropriate that through this affiliation Ipswich would maintain its link with HMS Trumpeter."
The big picture: The Borough has a long-standing connection with the Armed Services. The Royal Navy has a policy of affiliating each of its warships with towns, cities and boroughs throughout the United Kingdom.
Ipswich's previous affiliation with HMS Quorn ended when that ship was decommissioned in 2017.
What's next: A Memorandum of Understanding will now be drawn up to set out the aspirations of the Council and HMS Trumpeter for the affiliation.
The bottom line: The ship has previously been based in Ipswich, last leaving in May 2024. The Mayor, Councillor Elango Elavalakan, took part in a civic visit to HMS Trumpeter on Thursday 1 May, together with Councillors Neil MacDonald, Ian Fisher and Oliver Holmes, who are respectively the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders at the Borough.
