A YEAR of events have been organised to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Trinity House.
A Royal Charter was granted by Henry VIII in 1514 after a guild of mariners, troubled by poor conduct, petitioned the King for a licence to regulate pilotage.
To mark the milestone of that event, a number of events and activities have been planned.
In Harwich, the annual sea festival is hoped to include a theme of celebration for the anniversary and Master of Trinity House, the Princess Royal, will also be visiting on June 25 to open the new Planning Centre and to join a special service at St Nicholas’ Church.
Communications officer Paul Howe said: “It’s an amazing milestone – not many organisations can say they are 500 years old. There will also be a service at St Paul’s Cathedral to celebrate.”
Books on the history of the corporation have been published, and the Royal Mint has produced a commemorative £2 coin for the occasion.
The National Maritime Museum London has opened a a free exhibition, called Guiding Lights: 500 years of Trinity House and Safety at Sea, which runs until January 2016.
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