A new, state of the art Royal Navy ship is now calling a seaside town home.

On Thursday, June 28, Salcombe was officially affiliated to the HMS Magpie, the Royal Navy’s newest addition to the Hydrographic Squadron at a commissioning ceremony at HMNB Devonport.

The prestigious role of affiliate is to be an advocate for the ship, her commander, and her crew for her working lifetime alongside the ship’s lady sponsor, Teresa Gardner, wife of RA Chris Gardner CBE.

Mayor Cllr Nikki Turton represented Salcombe at the ceremony with her husband Richard, and Assistant Harbour Master Chris Gill. They were given the grand tour of the ship from Rear Admiral Paul Bennett CB OBE, and Brigadier Graeme Fraser MBE.

Cllr Turton explains that the ship’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander William Alexander RN, has “strong familial ties to the town - past, present, and assuredly future - so Salcombe is anticipating a lasting and healthy relationship between the two.”

She then added: “As mayor, I am very lucky and proud to be at the beginning of this new relationship with the Royal Navy, and having our own ship call us ‘home’ is wonderful.

“We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon and the Navy’s hospitality, and meeting Lt Cdr Alexander, his crew, and those involved in Magpie’s creation was delightful.”