Memorial service for lost fishermen
The first annual National Fishing Remembrance Day was marked at Eyemouth Parish Church on May 12.
Maritime charities, the Fishermen’s Mission, the Seafarers’ Charity and Stella Maris teamed up to organise the event, which will be replicated in coastal communities across the UK. The service was led by Donna Schwarz from the Fishermen’s Mission, with the full support of parish minister, the Rev Andy Haddow.
Eyemouth was the scene of one of the worst maritime disasters in Britain on October 14 1881, when 189 fishermen (129 of them from the town) lost their lives in a severe storm.
Mr Haddow said the Eyemouth Kirk Session was delighted that the church was hosting the first National Fishing Remembrance Day service.
“The community here has always been focused around fishing and the industry is one of the most dangerous there is,” he said.
“I know people in the community who have lost relatives just in the day-to-day running of a fishing vessel.
“People in the industry play such a significant role within coastal communities and as a church, we want to acknowledge that and remember in our prayers what they go through to put food on our tables.
“We recognise that not all people in the communities we serve attend the church, but we care about all of them and it is important that we show that and give them the space to remember those who they have lost.”
Mr Haddow said he hoped that other Kirk congregations in coastal areas across Scotland would consider marking National Fishing Remembrance Day.