The Morecambe Bay Submariners Association held their 50th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday 10 January 2026 at the Morecambe Golf Club.  The Vice Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Brigadier Peter Rafferty MBE DL, was the principal Guest of Honour with his wife Joanne.  Councillor Roger Dennison, a former Mayor of Lancaster and the Armed Forces Champion and his wife Glenys, were also present as guests of the Branch.  Mrs. Christine McGuinness and her son Jason, were pleased to represent their husband and father, a former member of the Branch who crossed the bar in 2024.  Mrs Shirley Orton, wife of former member John Orton, was also remembered and the Branch will take the Anniversary to her over the coming weeks.  Other guests included members of the Branch and their wives and members from the Barrow and Blackpool branches that made up the 54 who attended the dinner. 

The Branch’s very grateful thanks to the RNRMC and Greenwich Hospital for their unstinting work for the Royal Navy, and their very generous grant in support of the dinner, was given by the President in his speech, their logos and contact details being proudly displayed on the table place names and menus. 

Dave Andrew, an inaugural member of the Branch in 1976, was in attendance at the dinner and was given special mention by Brigadier Rafferty for his support over the years. 

In a great and humbling surprise to the Branch Standard Bearer, Keith Holmes, Brigadier Rafferty presented him with the Submariners Association Patron’s Certificate of Appreciation for his more than 30 years of service in the role.  The Vice Lord Lieutenant pointed out in his speech the importance of Military Associations now and in the future and that the Northwest provides about 18-20% of the UK armed forces.  With Lancashire having less than 9% of the population of the UK, the County’s contribution to the Armed Forces was well above the norm.  The dinner was a great success, and the Branch looks forward to continuing its significant contribution to the Armed Forces and Morecambe communities as we march into the next 50 years.