Assocation member Rear Admiral Richard Ibbotson, DSC has been made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the Queens birthday honors list. Richard is a constant supporter of the Assocation and served as an officer early on in Ardent's first commission. He is currently serving as Flag Officer Sea Training and made a short appearance recently in the Channel Five series Warship, a documentary program following life onboard HMS Illustrious.

Congratulations from all of is in the assocation Richard, a very deserved honor indeed.

It is with deep regret that we announce the sudden death of our shipmate John Goddard. John passed away on 1 May 2008.

His Funeral took place on Monday the 12th May 2008 with a Requiem mass at Christ the King R.C. Church in Plymouth and then his body was cremated at the Weston Mill Crematorium. On a gloriously sunny day we said goodbye to John Goddard. 15 Ardent members took their place in the congregation both at the church and the crematorium. Moving tributes were said by John's daughters who bravely spoke about their father. We Ardents all mourn the passing of John who always kept us on our toes with his wit and humour. Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.