December 2009 Issue 114

HO PRESIDET Chairman’s John. V. Hart & 01229 821831 Chaplain’s Dit December 2009 CHAIRMA & Hon. 2) French uc’s for Brazil Chaplain I have been clearing my Alan Jones computer of all those files that 01229 463150 3) HMS Vanguard have long been done and dusted and came across my Dit for VICE CHAIRMA 4) Barrie Downer Secretary December 2007. It’s surprising John F Houlding how similar and also dissimilar 01229 812593 5) All at Sea my thoughts are now as they were then. Yes there is the SECRETARY 6) Last Kilo increasing pace normal of Barrie K.Downer HMS Trafalgar Christmas festivities. I was in 01229 820963 Askam Village School this TREASURER 7) Obit’s & PSP’s morning alongside our music Mick Mailey room, as our fledgling violinists 8) Members Birthdays and flutists, scraped their way 01229 821290 through several renditions of 4 Jesmond Avenvue General Info Silent ight. I can assure you Barrow-in-Furness that the music room was more LA13 9AW Followed by:- raucous than silent, and a passing member of staff with SOCIAL TEAM December Puzzle no 15 her hands clamped tightly over Colin Hutchinson her ears was heard to say. “Oh 01229 474927 Astute Pictures my goodness it must be that Jeff Thomas time of year again”. I am now 01229 464493 frantically looking for my Ho! Ho! Ho! Costume as I am al- EWSLETTER EDITOR ready penciled in for three Richard Britten bookings at two different 01229 820265 schools, nothing new there. Continued on page 2 WEB MASTER Ron Hiseman 01229 828664 STADARD BEARERS Dudley Davenport Pedlar Palmer 01229 828120 Ginge Cundall WELFARE COMMITTEE Dave Craven Alan Jones Peter Lorking Colin Taylor December 2009 Page 2

I am now frantically looking for Joan Cole has volunteered to my Ho! Ho! Ho! Costume as I help drive forward the idea of Editor am already penciled in for three forming a Ladies and Friends bookings at two different section of the Barrow Branch. May I thank everyone that has schools, nothing new there. Yet The first steps are to invite a at some point during this year for the Barrow Branch there party Widows and Friends to made a contribution to the have been changes over the past our “Christmas Bit of a Do” that branch newsletter, with more two years, some of the thoughts is being held in the Royal British members than ever making and aspirations we then held Legion Holker Street 19th such a contribution we seem to have now become realities. We December 2009. My I now take have settled down to a 10 or have at long last moved out of the opportunity to thank all more page edition with more “The Harbour” and are now members who work so hard to colour pictures being sent to me. billeted in the British Legion make our Branch the success I also thank the Evening mail and so far so good. The Remem- that it is. And wish a happy for there continued support brance Benches are now in their Christmas and a Prosperous with related stories permanent homes in new ew year to all who are reading and pictures being freely given Remembrance Garden along- this newsletter. for publication in the newsletter. side the Emlyn Hughes Building. As your Lay Chaplain For me the true meaning of If you have a story or picture for I felt honoured to lead part of Christmas is summed up in an publication in the newsletter the Dedication Service. Whilst image taken from the film The please send them on to me as on the subject our time ativity Story require. honoured Remembrance CD “We will remember them”. Has May I also wish readers where been converted into a DVD and ever you are a very merry was used for the first time this Christmas ovember. As expected there is Regards still some work to do and Ben Ben Britten Britten is currently in discussion with the Evening Mail DVD pro- duction team, to seek their French ukes For Brazil advice on making our DVD “The son of we will remember After over a year of negotiations, them” more professional. If Brazil and France have nailed there are any comments on how One Family: One Journey: One down an agreement that will improvements may be made to Child: Who would change the give Brazil four French diesel- our DVD please don’t hesitate to world forever. electric Scorpene , contact any members of the and technology from France to Committee. Regards Jonsey enable the construction of, in effect, a fifth, nuclear powered, "Scorpene". This is described as If you can help with the info a strategic defense alliance, below please contact Ron which involves France helping Hiseman. build demand for French weapons in Brazil. In return, with French help, Brazil will Hello Ron, complete development a nuclear power plant small enough to fit Thank you for your prompt into something like the new, reply.The reason I am looking 4,700 ton French Barracuda for families of Tetrarch crew nuclear attack subs. France members is to try and find considers the 100 meter long information or even photos of Barracuda an evolution of the my father who was the 66.4 meter long Scorpene. At gunlayer on the boat when she least this is how it was explained was sunk in 1941.I have tried to the Brazilians. The 1,400 ton the submarine museum at Scorpene subs cost $600 million Gosport with no luck,also have each, while the new French been corresponding with a Barracuda nuclear powered Geoff Smith whose father was a subs cost $1.6 billion each. crew member but was posted from the boat just before they Alan Jones & Michael Cundell sailed from Alexandria on their standard bearers last trip,he was to have Rememberance Sunday rejoined at Gibraltar, but the boat never arrived. A lucky The long awaited departure of escape! I am now grabbing at Astute has taken place, and we straws, in the hope you can shall miss the presence of the help. crewmembers at our monthly meeting. So we wish them “Bon Thank you in anticipation Voyage” as they now face months of sea trials as they move towards becoming fully Bill operational. Page 3 December 2009 Barrow Submarine Series: issue number 8 HMS Vanguard

JOURNEY’S END: The nuclear submarine HMS Vanguard arrives at Devonport naval base in Plymouth for a refit in February, 2002 MS Vanguard (S28) is the 10th casing in the area of the missile Hvessel of the Royal Navy to bear compartment on the starboard (right) the name and is the lead boat of her s i d e. class of ballistic missile-armed s u b m a r i n e s. S TAT S : The sub is based at HMNB Clyde, Ordered: 30 May 1986 Faslane and was built at Barrow by Builder: Vickers Shipbuilding and Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Engineering Limited, Barrow. Ltd. Laid down: 3 September 1986 Va n g u a rd was launched on March 4 Launched: 4 March 1992 in 1992 and commissioned on August 14 Commissioned: 14 August 1993 in 1993. Homeport: HMNB Clyde It was the biggest submarine ever Displacement: Dived: 15,680 long tons built in Britain. (17,560 short tons) The first hull section of Va n g u a rd Length: 149.9 m (491 ft 10 in) had provided the dramatic backdrop to Beam: 12.8 m (42 ft 0 in) then Prime Minister Margaret Draught: 12 m (39 ft 4 in) Thatcher as she opened Barrow’s Propulsion: 1 × Rolls-Royce PWR2 Devonshire Dock Hall in September nuclear reactor 1986. SOUVENIR: A bronze medal for the 2 × GEC turbines Hundreds of people lined Michaelson Vanguard-class submarine refit facility 1 × shaft pump jet Road in August 1993 to watch Vanguard dated 2002 27,500 hp (20.5 MW) leave Barrow ready for the official 2 × auxiliary retractable propulsion handing over to the Royal Navy. collided somewhere in the Atlantic motors The submarine’s first commanding Ocean. 2 × W H Allen turbo generators officer was Captain David Russell. On February 6 the French Ministry of 6 MW In February 2002, Va n g u a rd began a Defence reported that Triomphant 2 × Paxman diesel alternators two-year refit at HMNB Devonport. “collided with an immersed object 2 × 2,700 hp (4 MW) The refit was completed in June 2004 (probably a container).” Speed: Dived: 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 and in October 2005, Va n g u a rd The UK Ministry of Defence initially mph) completed her return to service trials would not comment that the incident Range: Essentially unlimited with the firing of an unarmed Trident took place but it was confirmed on Complement: 14 officers and 121 other m i s s i l e. February 16 by First Sea Lord Sir r at i n g s During this refit, Va n g u a rd was Jonathon Band. Armament: 4 × 21 in (533 mm) illegally boarded by a pair of anti- He said that the collision occurred at torpedo tubes nuclear protestors. low speed, and that there had been no 16 × ballistic missile tubes On the night between February 3 and i n j u r i e s. Spearfish torpedoes 4 in 2009 Va n g u a rd and the French Both vessels were damaged. 16 × Lockheed Trident D5 SLBMs nuclear submarine Triomphant Va n g u a rd received damage to the outer carrying up to 128 warheads December 2009 Page 4

Tim Roberts (president of the Mayor and Mayoress. We even Barrie Downer Morecambe Bay Branch) gave a got covered by the BBC and the good and witty speech and toast- orth West Evening Mail. Secretary ed the Ladies who all looked as beautiful as ever. Billy Daniels There was a nice article in the and Brian gave an outstanding Evening Mail on the Tuesday Another short notice dit this performance as far as the music and, on 11th ovember you may month I had everything was concerned and everyone have been lucky enough to hear organised and then all of a enjoyed themselves with the the interviews on the Radio sudden I get diverted to Faslane dancing. well done Mick Dack, Ted for a few days and not for a Budgen, Alan Jones and Alan Submariners Association Week- The Annual Remembrance Day West end for work instead. Most of Parade on Sunday 8th ovem- you will have noticed that HMS ber took place in fine weather to ASTUTE has finally sailed off suit the occasion. on Sea Trials and is operating from Faslane she still needs a lot Thanks to the Co-op Funeral of support from Barrow Service for the use of the cars to during the Sea Trial phase pick up Members unable to often unpredictable what will be march in the Parade but who asked for hence short notice were enabled to attend at the changes of programme. Cenotaph. Our number this year were well up to our usual The departure of ASTUTE standard – I think it was twenty The Dedication Ceremony means quite a few of our Mem- four Marching with several bers have gone back to sea more joining us at the Cenotaph some after quite a long period and even more Members ashore in Barrow and we wish meeting us at the RBL. them all well as they begin to get to grips with their new Subma- A platoon from the HMS rine and get their sea legs back AMBUSH Ships Company took in working order. part in the Parade this year - one Officer, four Senior Rates and What have we been doing in this five Junior Rates and they last month? The monthly joined us at the RBL for the Committee Meeting took place Remembrance Ceremony. This on 17th ovember and we years Submariners Remem- Chatting to the Mayor reviewed the minutes of the last brance Ceremony included the meeting which all of you on E first showing of the video In the end only five from the Mail should now have received version of George Luck’s poem. Derby Branch managed to visit any comments to me as soon as A lot of effort has been put into Barrow 13th to 15th ovember possible please! Two more new this by Alan Jones it seemed to in response to their invitation by members this month welcome go down well. It still needs a HMS AMBUSH (Derby is their to Simon Hutton now working little polishing (as Alan will adoptive town!) to have a look at in the Yard and Steve Thorpe a readily admit) but we now have the Yard and how AMBUSH is serving Member and the another year to get the final progressing. Coxswain of HMS AMBUSH. I version organised. Hopefully am hopefully of a few more as every one got their Pie and Peas They stayed at the Victoria Park well in the near future. Hopeful- to help to soak up the Tot! Hotel and there was a small ly you are all working on ‘meet and greet’ at the VPH on recruiting new members are On Monday 9th ovember we Friday 13th ovember – several there serving or retired finally got to dedicate our of the AMBUSH Team and submariners living or working Memorial Benches in the Coro- myself attended. They picked a close to you? nation Gardens. The Council good weekend as well as seeing and their Contractors had AMBUSH they got a ringside Are they Members? If not why managed to get them in place seat for the ASTUTE move not? Invite them to come to a before the Remembrance Day though the Docks System to Branch meeting to see what we Parade but there was not Ramsden Dock on Saturday do no obligations but it might enough time to arrange the ded- 14th. Hopefully a good number just encourage them to join us. ication before Remembrance of you also got to see the Sunday but they were there and ASTUTE move and the The Branch Ladies ight dedicated before Remembrance departure on Sunday 15th Dinner Dance at the Lisdoonie Day ob the 11th ovember. Our ovember on Friday 6th went off very well. small ceremony was attended by The organisation was up to the eight of our Members, several of usual excellent standard our the ladies – including Joyce Tull, Guest of Honour Joan Cole and Denise Tierney and we were joined by the Page 5 December 2009

on/or voted on at the Annual ational Council Conference we All at Sea need to know by the December Meeting. The target date for any America’s strategic submarine agenda Items is 31st Dec 2009 fleet, armed with Trident II with the ational Secretary. ballistic missiles, spends more Also, for the next Annual time these days in the deep sea Conference there are three posts than they did during the Cold on the MC available. If you War. want to make your voice heard and put yourself up for election your CV needs to be with the Propeller The Federation of ational Secretary by the same American Scientists (FAS) has date. Come on put your name published information indicat- ing that 14 American Ohio class The Branch visit to Faslane forward don’t be shy! Also if submarines conducted 31 arranged for 20th to 22nd you can’t make it to a Branch deterrent patrols in 2008 which ovember was, unfortunately, Meeting remember to send in lasted, for every submarine, cancelled owing to reduced your apologies partly so we still longer than during the years of numbers and the fact that we know you are well. If you are the US-USSR military stand-off. were the only Branch going. not keeping too well yourself let However you can all get another us know and we will see if there If some twenty years ago Ameri- chance to go to Faslane in is anything the Welfare team can can submarines were spending January for the K13 weekend. help with. Remember to let us 50-70% of the year offshore, We have the details and the list know if there are any Branch nowadays it could be as high as will be out soon. Members that you know (or 90% of the year. their wives, girlfriends or Tex Golding has sent us an partners) who are not too well Such extensive use of update for this year asking for a sometimes they may be too busy submarines has become possible final settlement of his years or pre-occupied with events to after introducing a two-crew Branch Subs you will receive a let us know themselves. If we system, when Blue and Gold reminder shortly so if you’ve don’t know we can’t help! crews replace each other after forgotten up to now stick your every patrol, thus making it hand in your pocket at the next That’s about it for now hopeful- possible to stay on alert status meeting and make Mick ly I haven’t missed out any practically all year long. Mailey’s day! You can pay any events or anybody’s names I member of the Committee! think all the dates are right as Annually, the American nuclear well! See you all at the Branch submarine fleet conducts more The Membership Cards for Meeting Tuesday 1st December patrols than Russian (2008 – 2010 have arrived and are now usual time usual place! three times the number of with Mick Mailey. The 2010 patrols of the Russian navy), Subs are due from 1st Jan 2010 Regards French, Great Britain’s and the but if you see Mick with your Chinese combined, though it subs at the next meeting on 1st Barrie must be noted that the Chinese December you can get in early are just preparing to put their and get your new Membership nuclear submarines on Card and some of you can also deterrent patrols. get your 2009 card the nice Lilac ones (or was it Mauve?). We are gradually catching up with an updated Members Contact List if you have moved, changed your phone number or Merry Christmas your e mail provider please let Whilst we wish Dave us know as soon as possible so Barlow and the that we can keep in touch and National Management make sure you get all your Committee a Merry Branch information. I expect Xmas there are a few more changes I Do you have any old don’t yet know about so don’t pictures around for be shy let me know! We can’t the newsletter like this one showing the keep everyone fully informed if Submariners Associa- we don’t know how to get hold tion National Chair- of you! man, Dave Barlow during his day with Sovereign. Along Another Reminder – if you have with Jan Mounce & anything you wish to see raised Woody Woodward December 2009 Page 6

Last Kilo Limps Home nation. Russia negotiated a lease to dispose of them. on their large naval base in Sev- ovember 25, 2009: The astopol, but that lease expires in HMS Trafalgar, which can have Russian Black Sea Fleet eight years, and is not going to a complement of up to 130 suffered a major blow when its be renewed. So Russia is officers and crew, was the first only operational submarine, a building a new base to the east, of what was a fleet of seven 19 year old Kilo class boat, on the Russian Black Sea coast. Trafalgar class nuclear-powered broke down at sea on ovember hunter-killer submarines. 21st and limped back to port on For over a century, Russia had partial power. The only other four fleets (orthern, Pacific, It was built at the Barrow-in- sub in the fleet, a 29 year old Baltic and Black Sea). The latter Furness yard of Vickers Ship- Tango class boat, it undergoing two were virtually destroyed by building and Engineering and repairs (and appears likely to the dissolution. But now Russia was launched in July 1981. continue doing so for some is having political problems time.) During the Cold War, the (largely caused by Russia) with An official decommissioning Black Sea Fleet had thirty or Georgia and Ukraine, and could ceremony will take place on 4 more submarines. really use some additional (and December. It will be the first modern) naval power. To a vessel of her class to be taken lesser extent, the same situation out of service. applies in the Baltic (where Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Her commanding officer, harbored, and often built, many Commander Charlie Shepherd, of the Soviet ships of the Baltic said the final home coming was fleet.) Poland, while not part of a poignant moment. the Soviet Union, was a major naval ally, as was East Ger- He said: "The feeling of every- many. Thus the Baltic fleet is a one, including me, as we came in The Black Sea Fleet is a pretty fraction of what it once was, and for the final time was a mixture ragtag outfit, equipped with needs rebuilding of pride and sorrow." Cold War leftovers (the Kilo class sub was the youngest He added that there was a feel- major ship it has). Most of the HMS TRAFALGAR ing of sadness "because this is fifteen major surface ships are the last time the submarine will in need of repair, or not able to be operational and some sailors leave port at all. Some of the who have been on board for up twenty minesweepers and mis- to seven years will miss their sile equipped patrol boats date occupational home". from the 1990s, but for the most part, the Black Sea Fleet is a "Close-knit submarines are rest home for Cold War relics. almost families and this commu- nity will be broken up," he said. The government recently ordered the navy to concentrate Its company will be assigned to on building new ships for the new submarines, including Black and Baltic Seas, instead of Submarine's final sailing to base HMS Ambush and other planning a high seas aircraft Trafalgar class submarines, the carrier fleet. The Black Sea fleet HMS Trafalgar was the first of navy said. has been continually declining her class of hunter-killer since the Soviet Union dissolved submarines The Royal avy's in 1991. That decline was the nuclear-powered submarine XMAS SOCIAL result of new countries (like HMS Trafalgar has sailed into Ukraine and Georgia) inherit- its Devon base for the final time. ing old Soviet ships and bases. Submariners wifes That was the dissolution deal. Devonport-based Trafalgar is currently on their own over Whatever Soviet weapons or the fifth Royal avy vessel to bases were normally were, bear the historic name and was the Xmas period and wish belonged to one of the 14 new the first British submarine to nations. Most of Russia’s high circumnavigate the globe. to attend the Xmas Social seas ships were based in north- on the 19th December at the ern Russia (the orthern fleet, Its return was marked with a based next to Finland and flypast by a navy Merlin Royal British Legion orway) or the Far East (the helicopter. Pacific fleet, based north of China and orth Korea). But Trafalgar will become the ninth Pleasecontact the Baltic and Black Sea fleets decommissioned submarine to Joan Cole on were largely based in ports that be stored in Plymouth while an were now part of a foreign ongoing MoD study decides how 01229 826818 Page 7 December 2009

Lord These Departed shipmates get a chance to play. with Dolphins on their chest are The PSPs are being used to help part of an outfit known as the on Member best. Make them welcome and officers revise for exams and take them by the hand you’ll find 27th September 2009 come preloaded with slides and without doubt they are the best in David Sidney Stolliday commentary prepared by instructors, in study packages of the land. So heavenly father add Petty Officer Telegraphist between eight and twelve their names to the roll of our Aged 85 minutes each. departed shipmates still on patrol Submarine Service 1943-1954 let them know that we who Sealion (1943), H50(1943), Lieutenant-Commander Mark survive will always keep there 'Beasty' Williams, the man memories alive Spirit (1943-1945), Tiptoe behind the trial, says: "On most (1946), Token (1947), ships, the space people have is The names of those members Sidar(1950, Thorough(1952) quite small. Many have bunks reported in ovember to have with just a couple of feet [of 'Crossed the Bar' space] above. This is the sort of thing that can be used in a bunk space.”

orfolk Branch on Member The Royal avy weapons ovember 2009 ovember 2009 engineering school has so far Gordon (Tommy) Tucker bought 230 PSPs for the trial, J E (Ted) Woodcock but some senior officers appear Engine Room Artificer Chief Stoker unconvinced of the need for C/MX 76463 Aged 65 electronic study aids: "We are working on the premise that Aged 88 looking at a book is now seen as Submarine Serive 1941-1946 Submarine Service dull and boring," said P611, Perla, P712, Osiris in “O” Boats Commander Trevor Price. "When I was at school you sat at Sealion, Unruly & U-1105 your desk and you did your work and that was it." on Member But he added that he supposed ovember 2009 training had to adapt for a Derby Branch ‘Wolfie’ Attwood generation that 'no longer Founder member & President naturally studied from books'. 4th ovember 2009 Submarine Service to be Oh what a tangled language John Eric Horton DSM Advised English is And how easy it is to Chief Engine Room Artificer misconstrue… P/MX 56640 A man takes a lady out to dinner Aged 94 for the first time. Later they go Submarine Service 1937-1950 on to a show. The evening is a on Member Clyde, P39, Trump, Umbra, huge success and as he drops her ovember 2009 at her door he says 'I have had a Unbending, United, Unruffled D J D (Lemmy) Strang lovely time. You looked so & beautiful, you remind me of a Lieutenant Commander Alaric beautiful rambling rose. May I Submarine Service 1950’s & call on you tomorrow?' 1960’s in S Boats and CO of She agrees and a date is made. Cachalot The next night he knocks on her door and when she opens it she on Member slaps him hard across the face. 4th ovember 2009 Its all in the Game He is stunned. Jonathan A Burch CBE The British avy is to use 'What was that for?' he asked. PlayStation Portables, to help Rear Admiral (MESM) train its officers. Engineering She said 'I looked up rambling personnel, responsible for rose in the encyclopaedia last Submarine service including maintaining the fleet’s radar, night and it said 'ot well suited sonar and communications to bedding but is excellent for Warspite & Swiftsure systems, are the first to use the rooting up against a garden gadgets. If the trial proves wall' successful, other sailors will also Page 8 December 2009

DISCLAIMER This ewsletter is published by the Submariners Association (Barrow in Furness) and is (c) 2009. The opinions expressed in December 2009 ews Letter these pages are not necessarily Contact Information the opinion of the Editor, The Submariners Association, the Do you have a story to tell or MoD or the Submarine Service have information you feel unless otherwise stated. The should appear in the news letter Submariners Association may not agree with the opinions expressed then ring Ben Britten on 01229 in this ewsletter but encourages L.Thwaites 02/12 820265 (evenings) or if you publication as a matter of interest. wish to send me an article othing printed may be construed P.Douglas 03/12 as policy or an official announce- G.Livingston 06/12 please ring for postal address. ment unless so stated. Otherwise M.Brown 15/12 or send your contribution by the Association accepts no liabilty e-mail to: on any issue in this ewsletter M.Dack 17/12 K.Collins 19/12 [email protected] D.Taylor 23/12 Constructive suggestions about the news letter are very So there's this matelot dancing N.Morrison 27/12 around Jo's. He spots (unbelievably) a S.Doughty 28/12 welcome. The news letter will nice looking bird in the corner. He D.Carter 29/12 be published in the last week of asks her if she'd like a drink to which she replies, "To be honest do you just C.Lee 31/12 each month IE last week of fancy taking me home?"So he takes T.Payne 31/12 December for the January 2010 her home and get's invited in, she issue please try and have any asks, "Do you mind me asking, but are you a sailor?" information with me by the 15th of each month. At this point he knows he has blown it but tells her that he is indeed a sailor Thank you to everyone who "Oh that's great, my grandaddy was a contributed to this edition. sailor you're the first one I've ever met! Do you smoke?" www.hmsresolution.org.uk Well Jack's over the moon and he answers yes whereby she goes out into the kitchen and brings out 100 Blue Liners! "You can have these if you like, I don't smoke and they've been in the cupboard for ages! Do you drink?" October ovember December Well Jack asks for a lager but she comes back with a bottle of pussers 6th Monthly meeting 1st Embankment 1st Monthly meeting rum. 9/11 SA Reunion w/e 3rd Monthly Meeting 15th Branch Committee 17th Trafalgar Ball 6th Ladies Night Meeting At this point he looks up to the heav- 20th Branch commitee 8th Remembrance 19th Xmas Social en and thanks the God of Jack for this goldmine! "Do you mind if I slip into meeting parade something more comfortable" she asks to Jack's delight When she returns she is wearing a see ew members Joining in through nightie with every R ship, past and present on the hem. Jack ovember can't believe his luck now, then she purrs at him "Do you want to come Simon Hutton through to the bedroom and play a Little game ?” & Steve Thorpe Jack replies A warm welcome to "You got UCKERS as you all well!? December 2009 Barrow SA Puzzle page no 15 Solve the festive submarine wordsquare We hope you enjoyed last Names and words to find month’s submarine wordsquare. If any of it proved tricky, the 1: CRANBERRY 7: SPROUTS solution is at the foot of the page. This month we have a 2: SPICE 8: PRESENTS Christmas-themed wordsquare with 12 words to be found on 3: BRANDY SAUCE 9: RUM BUTTER the grid. 4: PUDDING 10: CHESTNUTS If you have any comments or suggestions on how our puzzles 5: CRACKER 11: SHERRY can be improved or developed, drop an email to Bill Myers at 6: PARSNIPS 12: TURKEY [email protected]

Last month’s worsquare solution (below)

READY FOR REFIT: The Trident-class nuclear submarine HMS Va n g u a r d seen in 2002 on the way to Plymouth for a refit December 2009 Astute Leaves Barrow Pictures