Every year, Morpeth – led by the Mayor and Town Council – remember and celebrate Admiral Lord Collingwood – hero of Trafalgar and resident of Morpeth – both on Trafalgar Day (21st October) and on 8th March, the anniversary of the Admiral’s death in 1810.
The picture shows a posy on the bust of the Admiral in the Town Hall on 8th March 2022. It was placed by Nigel Collingwood, a descendant of the Admiral, on behalf of the Collingwood Society – accompanied by Cllr David Bawn, Mayor of Morpeth.
Perhaps best-known to most simply as Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson’s friend and second-in-command at the battle of Trafalgar, Collingwood has arguably been undersold by history. He was, in his own right, an inspirational leader, a dedicated naval officer, a devoted husband and father, a shrewd strategist and a highly capable diplomat. He was a man gifted with sound judgement, a dry humour and a wonderful way with words, many of which have fortunately survived. His life was characterised both by great achievement and ultimately, great sadness.
His home in Britain was Collingwood House on Oldgate in Morpeth – now the Presbytery for St Robert’s RC Church. The house is usually open for viewing during the annual Morpeth Heritage Open Days programme in September.