NEWS items remind us that it was 30 years ago this week that the 1987 hurricane struck.

It was Wellington School CCF’s Field Day, and the cadets of the Royal Navy section had gone to sea at Portland on board the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Black Rovers to observe the weekly ‘War’ naval exercise in the English Channel.

By the time it came to disembark and to return home the hurricane had struck. The ships were unable to return to port and so the cadets had to stay at sea overnight until the storm passed.

The ship’s crew supplied them with blankets and washing kit, and it was not until the next morning that they were able to disembark and return to school – a day late.

David Elkington