A SPECIAL anniversary for former crew members of Middlesbrough’s adopted warship HMS Jupiter takes place in the town next month.
Organisers are hoping for a good turn-out, and are appealing for fellow ‘Jupiters’ and their families to get in touch ahead of the event.
To mark this year’s 40th anniversary of the warship’s adoption by the town, the HMS Jupiter Association is holding its annual reunion event at The Middlesbrough Hotel over the weekend of October 9 – 11, with a celebration dinner on the Saturday evening.
Among the special guests will be a couple who first met in the town during Jupiter’s visit in 1975 – 40 years later they are married and still living in the town.
The Clyde-built Leander Class Frigate was launched in 1967, going on to see service around the globe until she was decommissioned in 1992.
A long and varied career included a stint as the warship HMS Hero in the television series ‘Warship’ and in 1975 she was adopted by Middlesbrough.
The Jupiter was even said to have played a part along with a US counterpart in the downing of a UFO during the first Gulf War in January, 1991.
The ship made her last visit to her adopted town in April, 1992 before being decommissioned later that year and subsequently scrapped.
HMS Jupiter Association Secretary Ken Williams, who was on board from 1977 to 1985, said: “We are a small Association numbers-wise, but everyone who served on Jupiter over the 25 years the ship was in commission had very special memories of our visits to Middlesbrough.
“We had many a good run ashore and were always made very welcome, nowhere more so than in our adopted home.
“This year marks the 40th anniversary of that twinning relationship, and so we’re particularly keen to make contact again with anyone who has memories of her visits, especially ex-ship’s company and ex-TS Jupiters who were the local Sea Cadets affiliated to Jupiter.
“We’re hoping for a good turn-out for what should be a great celebration.”
The Association is also keen to hear from the families of ex-Jupiters who wish to become Associate Members, in particular wives, partners and children.
Anyone interested in attending the HMS Jupiter Association 40th Anniversary Reunion weekend is asked to contact Secretary Ken Williams on 01743 341439 or 07941 363931 or email ken.williams@xlnmail.com
For more information on HMS Jupiter and the work of the Association, visit www.hmsjupiter.co.uk