2 THE CHAIRMAN’S DISPATCH! Nelson 250: A celebration founded on the hero’s optimistic spirit Friday, 29 September 1758. One can only imagine how Catherine Nelson felt giving birth to her sixth child - a son; her first two sons had died within a few months of being born and this boy was considered small and fragile. Yet it was a still, ‘very fair’ day, and as Carola Oman wrote in her much-loved biography Nelson, ‘The auspices were propitious. The birthplace was lavishly picturesque’. Certainly, the father and local Rector felt reassured by ‘the air from our light gravell soil, impregnated with the sweet Farinæ of the field, is as healthy as any spott whatever.’ But, what were they to call him? They had naturally called their first born Edmund. The second they had christened a more fashionable Horatio, after Catherine Nelson’s great uncle, Horatio Walpole, who had stood godfather to the child. Dare they use this name again or would it be too heroic for this frail little boy? They were brave and named him Horatio, even though they preferred to call him Horace. Little could they have guessed that the name would eventually fit perfectly England’s finest hero. “an opportunity to celebrate his life rather than commemorating his battles” Heroes are born before they are made. Horatio Nelson’s deeds were celebrated less than three years ago under the banner of the Trafalgar 200 but that is no excuse for the close proximity of the 250th anniversary of his birthday to be overlooked, if only because in Nelson we have an immortal hero. Moreover, it gives us an opportunity to celebrate his life rather than commemorating his battles, allowing us to focus on his early and formative years. There are few, if any, British historical figures from 200 or more years ago who continue to have such an enduring, pervasive and iconic impact. This longevity and durability is based on the worthiness of his qualities, and in particular the combination of his humanity and optimistic spirit. Optimism is the ultimate foundation for the many reasons people have for celebrating birthdays and anniversaries. And so it is with Nelson. His personal story focuses on the day that is coming, not the day that is gone. Hope inspires us all and the shared sense of optimism explains why the Nelson legacy sits so comfortably in the modern setting. The 1805 Club is rising to this occasion with a series of important celebration events in Norfolk. It is also launching a visual identity for the 250th anniversary. “in a ‘national’ celebration of Nelson’s birthday” This identity is being offered and made freely available to all bodies and organisations that wish to join in a ‘national’ celebration of Nelson’s birthday. The more who use it the more likely it will have an impact on the wider consciousness of the country; and that is the objective. To initiate this The Club is sending the identity to all the key players, including museums. Given the media’s attachment to anniversaries we are also preparing a media campaign. The three-days of birthday celebrations in Norfolk start on Friday 26 September. These are a mixture of public and member-only events. On the 26th members will have the opportunity to visit Paston School (now Paston College) at North Walsham where they can enjoy one of the earliest influences on Nelson’s life. That evening we attend a Civic Dinner in honour of Nelson at King’s Lynn. The following day includes guided tours around historic King’s Lynn, a private visit to Houghton Hall, the home of Sir Robert Walpole, and a birthday premiere concert at All Saints’ Church, Burnham Thorpe. We return to All Saints’ on Sunday afternoon for a special Thanksgiving Service led by the Dean of Norwich Cathedral. Other attractions are in the pipeline! “stimulating research and discussion into the Georgian sailing navy as a whole” As yet another way of marking the anniversary of Nelson’s birthday, The 1805 Club is proud to be organising not one but two naval historical conferences in 2008. This is the first time in its history that the Club has undertaken such ambitious events alone and reflects its commitment to stimulating research and discussion into the Georgian sailing navy as a whole, as well as conserving the graves of naval heroes. If these conferences prove successful the Club will organise more in the future, as well as continuing its enthusiastic involvement
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