Members of the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club in Falmouth will be joining in a nationwide commemoration of the Battle of Trafalgar to raise money for charity next weekend.

On Saturday October 23, they’ll enjoy a three-course roast beef supper raising money for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity. The evening will finish off in true naval style with port and sea shanties. There are hundreds of Trafalgar Night dinners held every year, in honour of Admiral Nelson’s leadership and tactical skills.

The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity supports sailors and marines, both serving and veteran, as well as their families. It has helped care for older age veterans, worked to improve relationships within naval families, assisted those in times of need as well as improving morale for those serving and deployed.

There’s a special Cornish connection with the 1805 battle against a joint French and Spanish fleet which took place on October 21. News of the victory - and Nelson’s death - came into Falmouth on HMS Pickle, and was then taken by land onto London. This is the first year that the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club has linked up with a national fund-raising effort.

The evening will also mark the last time the RCYC catering partners Sam’s of Cornwall will host a formal dinner for the Club. The partnership, which has seen non-members welcomed into the bar and catering facilities, finishes at the end of this month.

Commodore Sarah Hancock says they’re expecting a high turnout of Members. “It’s a chance to commemorate an inspirational leader and mark an important maritime event. The Royal Cornwall Yacht Club has a rich naval heritage, and so does the town of Falmouth. And it also makes an excellent end-of-season showpiece for Sam’s.”

She says while Sam’s are returning to concentrate on their other venues, the Club is looking ahead to the future. “We hope to be able to offer a similar arrangement for both Members and non-members in the New Year, and would be happy to hear from other providers interested in running our bar and catering for a twelve month initial period.”