The Royal Navy has officially returned the Freedom of the Town to Penzance.

It follows the decommissioning of HMS Penzance earlier this year, the Freedom of the Town, has been formally returned to Penzance.

At a small ceremony held at St John’s Hall on Thursday, Lieutenant Commander Trevor Brookes, resident naval officer, joined former HMS Penzance crewmen ET(WE) Wall and Lieutenant Owen Leo Moore to hand back the Freedom of the Town to the mayor of Penzance, Stephen Reynolds.

Also returned were the ship’s bell, honours board and name plates.

In return, a framed photograph of Penzance Harbour, looking towards St Michael's Mount at sunrise, was presented by the mayor on behalf of the town, as a memento of the historic link between the town and the ship.

The ceremony was also attended by the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, Commodore Jamie Miller, and representatives from RNLI Penlee Lifeboat, both Mousehole and Madron & Heamoor Royal British Legions and Penzance Old Cornwall Society, as well as by current councillors, former mayors and Honorary Freemen of the Parish.

Group photograph inside St John's Hall of all the attendees and representatives from local community organisations (Image: Penzance Council) HMS Penzance, a Sandown Class minehunter, was decommissioned by the Royal Navy in January this year after 27 years of service. Launched by Princess Michael of Kent on March 11, 1997, she completed numerous deployments, including operations in the Gulf.

HMS Penzance has played a crucial part in global maritime security and participating in multinational exercises.

Colonel Sir Edward Bolitho, Lord-Lieutenant of Cornwall, said: “Penzance throughout its history has looked to the sea, for food, for trade and even to watch out against foreign raiders. So it has been marvellous to have a ship of the Royal Navy named after us for so long.

“We are proud of the affiliation and very sad to be losing her, and hope for a fifth HMS Penzance sometime soon. Meanwhile, we will treasure her name boards, bell and honours board and keep them safe for the future.”

The Mayor of Penzance presents Lieutenant Commander Trevor Brookes with a framed photo of Penzance Harbour (Image: Penzance Council) Lt Cdr Trevor Brookes, resident naval officer, said “It was my honour to be part of this handover ceremony of these important artifacts from your affiliated ship - HMS Penzance.

“When in homeland waters, I have supported her visits to Cornwall and arranged ships visits for civic representatives and local Sea Cadet units. We will hold her memory dear to us all.”

The items given to the town by HMS Penzance will be safely stored, with the aim of having them on public display in the near future to commemorate the long association between the town and the Royal Navy.

Cllr Stephen Reynolds, Mayor of Penzance, added: “Over the last 27 years, HMS Penzance has proudly borne the name of our town on her numerous deployments at home and abroad – a witness to our own maritime heritage and our continuing role as a port town.

“I am honoured to have received, on behalf of the people of Penzance, these physical reminders of the close association between the town and the vessel that bore its name.”