| Fact File | Born in Morpeth, 6 July 1956. Educated in Cambridge at Chesterton Boy's School. Graduated in Divinity at Aberystwyth College, University of Wales. 1987 created his first all ranks coffee bar The Dungeon. 1990 established is second non-alcoholic project The Blue Lamp Coffee Bar. Has served on the following ships, HMS Collingwood, HMS Active, HMS Amazon, HMS Ambuscade, HMS Alacrity, HMS Arrow, HMS Avenger, HMS Drake, HMS Beaver, HMS Manchester, HMS Raleigh, HMS Nelson, HMS Ark Royal, HMS Marlborough, HMS Westminster, HMS Lancaster, HMS Richmond, HMS Grafton, HMS Iron Duke, HMS Belfast, HMS Seahawk. Finally appointed Chaplain to HMS Ocean March 2004. |
To meet Reverend Michael Brotherton MBE is to know that you are in the presence of a very funny, humorous and dedicated man. He is a person with a "I can do that" attitude, nothing is a bother! He was born in Morpeth, Northumberland, on 6 July 1956. He was educated in Cambridge at Chesteron Boy's school and later graduated in Divinity at Aberystwyth College, University of Wales. | "You have to be mad to be at sea, that is why I fit in really well" | | Reverend Michael Brotherton, MBE |
He joined the Royal Navy as a Chaplain in 1984. Serving as Chaplain to the 4th Frigate Squadron, HMS Active, HMS Amazon, HMS Ambuscade, HMS Alacrity, HMS Arrow and HMS Avenger. In 1987 he became Assistant Chaplain to HMS Drake where he created his first all ranks coffee bar called The Dungeon. During his time on board HMS Nelson he built and established his second non-alcoholic project The Blue Lamp coffee bar. His arrival on board of HMS Ark Royal in 1993 will always be well remembered as he boarded dressed as Charlie Chaplin. It was whilst he was serving on HMS Ark Royal that he was awarded the MBE for his pastoral work to all ranks within the Royal Navy. 1995 Reverend Brotherton was appoined to HMS Collingwood, which took things to a new high. In 1996 he organised The Charlie Chaplin Fun Run from HMS Collingwood to Collingwood House, Morpeth, Northumberland, raising funds for the Weston Spirit. His third non-alcoholic project Chaplin's Coffee Bar was opened by Admiral Sir Jock Slater, First Sea Lord. 1998 Not to be out done, he then went on to organise a sponsored Scooter Run from Richmond town in North Yorkshire to HMS Belfast, London. This raised funds to help a Naval Officer who was paralysed due to an accident. 2000 In 2000 he worked on another non-alcoholic project the Cyber Cafe, which was opened by Rear Admiral I R Henderson CBE Flag Officer Naval Aviation. 2002 Reverend Brotherton took part in the Sharron Davies, Swim for Life Appeal and swam 474 miles in the base swimming pool, the distance from Helston to Portmouth and back. This time raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy. For his remarkable dedication and outstanding sponsorship he was honoured to receive the Swim for Life Outstanding Achievement Award. He was appointed Chaplain to HMS Ocean in March 2004 where he is enjoying life.
He enjoys music and plays the pipe organ and piano, he also has some beautiful scooters, which he shows, around the country. He adores the Pembrokeshire countryside and treasures the coast. Occasionally he does get a chance to catch up with family and friends that he has in the North East.
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