The Historic Dockyard at Chatham will be marking two poignant anniversaries this weekend as Chris Price reports

When HM Submarine Ocelot 50 left the Royal Dockyard at Chatham in the 1960s, it marked the end of an era.

More than 400 years of shipbuilding for the Royal Navy came to a close, spanning conflicts from the Spanish Armada to the Falklands crisis.

Past and present submariners and ex-Dockyard workers will come together to mark the years of service which produced ships like HMS Victory, Admiral Nelson’s flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar.

A parade and an exhibition will mark the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Ocelot 50, in 1962. There will be a service in the Royal Dockyard Church to celebrate and commemorate the sub and those who served in her, as well as the wider submarine service.

The parade follows, led by the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines CTCRM, Lympstone. The salute will be taken at the head of HMS Ocelot, now in dry dock at the Historic Dockyard.

All submariners are welcome to participate in the parade, with an Ocelot contingent and Submariner Association Standards taking the lead behind the band.

After the parade a new submarine exhibition will be opened on the dockside alongside HMS Ocelot.

As part of the celebrations there will be an evening concert by the Royal Marines Band, who will be joined by the Duke of York’s Royal Military School Band and the City of Rochester Pipe Band. Tickets are £10 and £8. The concert starts at 6pm.

There is free admission for the day to all submariners, past and present, and ex-Dockyard workers, with discounts for family and friends.

Normal admission applies, adult £16.50, concessions £14, children £11. Tickets are valid for a year. More details on 01634 823800 or atwww.thedockyard.co.uk