Mayor to celebrate town's 50-year link to navy ship

An aerial shot of HMS Jupiter. The black and white image shows a long, slim battleship at sea, with a helicopter flying over it.Image source, HMS Jupiter Association
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HMS Jupiter became Middlesbrough's adopted warship in 1975

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A celebration is planned to mark a relationship of 50 years between a North East town and a Royal Navy ship, bringing together a community that includes former crew members and beauty queens.

HMS Jupiter became Middlesbrough's adopted warship in 1975, with many visits to the town over the decades commemorating the vessel's role, before she was decommissioned in 1992.

Organisers are urging people with a link to the ship to help them mark the 50th anniversary of the official twinning, including a callout to former Miss HMS Jupiters - a beauty pageant featuring local girls.

Celebrations will include a gala dinner, with a laying of wreaths at Middlesbrough's Cenotaph attended by the town's mayor.

The event is due to take place on 25 October, with Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke and local Sea Cadets expected to join a the ceremony at the Cenotaph.

A black-and-white photograph taken at Middlesbrough town hall, showing members of the crew led by the Captain Cdr Colin Hamilton with civic dignitaries including Middlesbrough Mayor Malcolm Kirk and Mace Bearer Bernard Martin. The crew are wearing uniforms, while the mayoral party is wearing formalwear and chains.Image source, HMS Jupiter Association
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A reception for HMS Jupiter was held at Middlesbrough's town hall during a visit by the ship in 1984

HMS Jupiter Association secretary, Ken Williams, who was on board from 1977 to 1985, said Middlesbrough had always made the crew feel welcome during their visits.

"All of us who served on Jupiter over the 25 years the ship was in commission have very fond memories of our visits," he said.

"We'd love to hear from 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."

Two beauty contest entrants on the deck of the HMS Jupiter during a visit in 1991. The two women are wearing swimming costumes  and are smiling for the camera, holding one hand on their hip and the other hand on each other's shoulder. Behind them is a group of men in uniform, waving hats.Image source, HMS Jupiter Association
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Miss HMS Jupiter took place at Middlesbrough's Madison nightclub in 1991

The Clyde-built Leander-class frigate was launched in 1967 and was in service around the globe, making her final visit to Middlesbrough in April 1992.

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