Merchant Navy Day is celebrated nationally on 3rd September and a ceremony is held at County Hall in Dorchester every year. This year, following the raising of the Red Ensign above County Hall and the laying of a wreath at the Memorial Area, the main ceremony was held in the Members Room due to the inclement weather. Among those attending were the Lord-Lieutenant’s representative, Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset, Mr George Streatfeild MBE, Chair of Dorset Council, Cllr Stella Jones, the Rev John Yarrien, who offered prayers, with the main speech given by Captain David Parsons MNM from the Merchant Navy Association. Here is the recording of the occasion with the order of events shown below…
Audio recording and photos by Andy Worth for KeeP 106. (click an image to enlarge)
ORDER OF EVENTS
MERCHANT NAVY DAY FLAG RAISING CEREMONY
at 0930 hrs
on WEDNESDAY 3RD SEPTEMBER 2025
TO START AT MEMORIAL AREA AND THEN MOVE
TO MEMBERS’ ROOM
Members of Merchant Navy Association / Royal Naval Association and
Bournemouth and Weymouth Sea Cadets
Order of events in the event of wet weather
Outside at the Memorial
- Revd John Yarrien will invite HM Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet – Able Cadet Katie Sadler to raise the Red Ensign
- He will then invite Captain David Knight JP to lay a wreath at the Memorial on behalf of Merchant Navy Association
All will make their way to the Members’ Room via the Main Entrance
- HM Lord-Lieutenant’s representative will greet members of Merchant Navy Association / Royal Naval Association / Sea Cadets
- Revd John Yarrien – opening prayer
- Revd Yarrien will invite speakers
Speeches
- Chair of Dorset Council – Cllr Stella Jones MBE
- HM Lord-Lieutenant’s representative – Deputy Lieutenant Mr George Streatfeild MBE
- Merchant Navy Association – Captain David Parsons MNM
- Revd John Yarrien – closing prayer
- Three cheers from Chair of Dorset Council
- The National Anthem will be performed by Mrs Elizabeth Carter BA(Hons), Durnovaria Silver Band Trust
- Refreshments will be served