SHIPMATES, complete with striped tops, held a guard of honour for the admiral s entrance into March Conservative Club on Sunday. Complete with critical and nasty comments, he made his flag lieutenant take the names of any offending crew whilst waving a ha

SHIPMATES, complete with striped tops, held a guard of honour for the admiral's entrance into March Conservative Club on Sunday.

Complete with critical and nasty comments, he made his flag lieutenant take the names of any offending crew whilst waving a handkerchief to rid any bad smells.

The mock-up admiral's entrance was just some of the light-hearted fun enjoyed by members of the Royal Naval Association's March branch, at their Tot commiseration day.

Naval association members from Ely, Soham, Wisbech, Peterborough and one person from Kettering joined the March branch for the celebrations, which marked the 37th anniversary of the rum ration being discontinued in the Royal Navy.

The March branch had to limit the number of people who attended to 120. Branch honorary secretary Ted Rassell said: "Everyone who attended last year spread the word about the day and we had to say no to people attending because we were limited to 120."

The deputy Mayor of March, Councillor Trevor Quince, also attended the event which included a raffle featuring 25 prizes, a buffet and, of course, drinking plenty of rum.

Mr Rassell said: "Everybody who attended had a great time.