Dorcas Media

12/06/2026

RAISING THE FLAG FOR THE FALKLANDS

On Sunday, 14th June, 2026, on the Plymouth Hoe Promenade, the 'Raising Of The Flag' will mark the 44th anniversary of Liberation for the Falklands.

The Argentine invaders surrendered to British forces on 14th June, 1982, and the day is celebrated in the Falkland Islands as Liberation Day.

The Falklands were freed after an unprovoked Argentine invasion—and its commander, General Mario Menéndez, surrendered to British forces at Stanley, marking the end of the war in the South Atlantic.

You can watch the poignant ceremony live on our webcams from 10:30am with the armed forces, veterans, and the Royal British Legion around the Belvedere flagpole.

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09/06/2026

PLYMOUTH'S SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH POLAND

ONE of the most remarkable stories of the Second World War was the allied relationship between Poland and Britain–and especially the Polish Navy’s wartime role in Plymouth from 1939 to 1945.

The story of the Polish Navy in exile is being told at a special exhibition at the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre commemorating the role of Polish forces based in the city throughout the war.

Mr Marcin Bialek, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Poland to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in London, said: “The historic links between Plymouth and Gdynia continue to reflect the enduring friendship between Poland and the United Kingdom, built on shared sacrifice, solidarity, and mutual respect.”

Full story on our website:
https://westwardshippingnews.com/a-special-relationship-with-poland/
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ONE of the most remarkable stories of the Second World War was the allied relationship between Poland and Britain–and especially the Polish Navy's wartime role in Plymouth from 1939 to 1945.

08/06/2026

AMERICAN FLAGSHIP LEAVES PLYMOUTH

The 6th fleet flagship the USS Mount Whitney was spotted leaving the Sound this morning after nearly 9 days HM Naval Base Devonport

The command ship arrived in Plymouth on the 31st May and serves as the lead vessel for the 6th Fleet/Commander.

USS Mount Whitney incorporates various elements of the most advanced C4I equipment and gives the embarked Joint Task Force Commanders the capability to order dispersed air, ground and maritime units in an integrated fashion on the high seas.

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07/06/2026

CAMPAIGN TO RESTORE THE ICONIC PLYMOUTH BELVEDERE

We have passed 300 signatures and on our way to the 500 milestone. Sorry to be a pain, if you haven't signed and support preserving this national symbol of Plymouth for future generations - then a few minutes of your time, name, and email address.

(Better than standing in the rain on Boots Corner for months on end for Tinside Lido back in the late 1990).

Link to the e-petition:
https://www.change.org/p/restore-plymouth-s-historic-wedding-cake-monument

A BIG THANK YOU♥

Restore Plymouth's historic Wedding Cake monument

06/06/2026

WALKING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HISTORY
ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY, JUNE 6, 1944

A dream to finally visit the Normandy Beaches to explore the historic D-Day landing sites and the biggest Allied invasion in history of June 6, 1944 was fulfilled and to pay homage to the Great War Generation last year.

Our group visited key beaches along the coast of Calvados, France, at Gold Beach especially, Omaha Beach, Juno Beach, and walking in the sands of history.

At Gold Beach, we visited the villages of Asnelles, Ver-sur-Mer, and Arromanches-les-Bains, and especially the preserved Mulberry Harbour structures that were crucial for post-invasion logistics.

We saw the remnants of German bunkers and the Les Braves memorial, reflecting on the scale of the battle and the sacrifices made by Allied troops.

Visits also included the Mémorial de Caen, a museum and park dedicated to WWII history.

82 years ago the biggest amphibious invasion of Western Europe took place today and the longest day.

04/06/2026

PETITION UPDATE ON THE WEDDING CAKE CAMPAIGN

The latest update shows that the petition to restore the Wedding Cake Monument on Plymouth Hoe is now reaching 300 signatures since its launch on the 21st May.

The Grade 2 listed landmark is not just a symbol of Plymouth, but a national heritage site that houses a memorial garden like Poland's role in WW2 in the city.

Please, if you can't sign, can you share on FACEBOOK?
A big thank you.
https://www.change.org/p/restore-plymouth-s-historic-wedding-cake-monument

04/06/2026

UP CLOSE WITH THE STORM

The Norwegian Navy’s Skjold Class missile fast patrol boat Storm was spotted outbound in the Sound this morning.

Launched in November 2006 and started sea trials in January 2008, with an air-cushioned catamaran hull, waterjet propulsion, high speed and manoeuvrability.

The Norwegian Government approved the construction of five Skjold Class vessels in June 2002 with Storm (P961), Skudd (P962), Steil (P963, launched January 2008), Glimt (P964) and Gnist (P965).

Storm was designed for littoral warfare, and working in shallow waters denied to other vessels, and armed with strike and anti-ship missiles, and a gun, for deployment against aircraft and other ships.

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02/06/2026

POLAR EXPEDITION SHIP ON MAIDEN VISITS

The brand-new polar expedition cruise ship, the Douglas Mawson, arrived in the Sound around 6:30am this morning.

On its maiden voyage to Plymouth and spotted in Falmouth yesterday, the polar expedition cruise ship, the Douglas Mawson, arrived in the Sound around 6:30am.

A Plymouth pilot boat guided the luxury vessel across the waterfront into Millbay Docks, where it will be berthed at West Wharf until 2:00pm this afternoon.

Aurora Expeditions launched the vessel in Hobart, Australia, in December 2025 and named it after the Antarctic explorer Sir Douglas Mawson.

The state-of-the-art ship can carry a maximum of 130 passengers for polar expeditions and 154 for small-ship cruises; it is the third vessel of its class.

Volunteer cruise ambassadors, city cruise partnership representatives, and other shore handlers will greet passengers on the dockside at Millbay.

Douglas Mawson is fitted with the revolutionary Ulstein, X-bow, designed for smoother and faster ocean crossings and a world leader in fuel efficiency.

www.westwardshippingnews.com
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31/05/2026

The Race Village for today's races on the Plymouth Hoe Promenade. Prize giving on stage now going on.
The race closes at 1pm and blocked roads in the area are re-opened.

30/05/2026

A WARTIME BOND THAT IS NOW GENERATIONAL
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH POLAND

ONE of the most remarkable stories of the Second World War was the allied relationship between Poland and Britain–and especially the Polish Navy’s wartime role in Plymouth from 1939 to 1945.

The story of the Polish Navy in exile is being told at a special exhibition at the Devonport Naval Heritage Centre commemorating the role of Polish forces based in the city throughout the war.

Full story on our website:
https://westwardshippingnews.com/a-special-relationship-with-poland/ contactwestwardshippingnews.com

ONE of the most remarkable stories of the Second World War was the allied relationship between Poland and Britain–and especially the Polish Navy's wartime role in Plymouth from 1939 to 1945.