Wick memorial will be a focal point on National Fishing Remembrance Day
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Wick is to take part in the first National Fishing Remembrance Day, with the Seafarers Memorial providing a fitting focal point almost one year after it was unveiled at the town’s Braehead.
Maritime welfare charities are joining forces in a new annual day for reflection and commemoration of all those who have lost their lives while working in fishing in the UK. Ceremonies will take place at fishing memorials around the country on Sunday, May 12, led by the Fishermen’s Mission.
Sculptor Alan Beattie Herriot was selected to create the Wick monument, which commemorates all seafarers lost at sea from or in the WK registration area, stretching from Talmine in the west across to Stroma and down to Golspie. The voluntary Seafarers Memorial Group raised more than £100,000 for the sculpture which had its unveiling on May 20, 2023.
Group chairman Willie Watt said: “It is fitting that this event, which has been established by the Fishermen’s Mission to remember fishermen who have lost their lives to the sea, almost coincides with the first anniversary of the unveiling of our statue.
“It was what our statue was created for, and it will be nice and proper to remember those that did not return at our memorial location.”
The hour-long event in Wick will begin at 2pm.
The Fishermen’s Mission will be represented by its area officer for Caithness and Orkney, Jackie Dodds.
Seafarers Memorial Group patron Andrew Bremner will speak on behalf of the fishing industry
Also taking part will be a piper playing the tune WK Seafarers Memorial, composed by Ivor Mackay, and Jenny Szyfelbain, reciting a poignant seafaring poem. There will be representation from the RNLI, the Merchant Navy Association and Royal British Legion Scotland.
The ceremony will include a two-minute silence and the laying of a wreath.
Fishermen’s Mission chief executive Marc Evans said: “The Fishermen’s Mission is proud to be a part of this event.
“From experience, we know how every loss affects families, friends and whole communities. We know how this loss lingers from generation to generation.
“To finally have a national day that allows us to come together and remember so many fishermen who have lost their lives while bringing home the catch is momentous for everyone connected with fishing.”
The National Fishing Remembrance Day is also supported by the Seafarers’ Charity and Stella Maris.
Standing five metres high, looking across Wick’s harbour and bay, the Seafarers Memorial symbolises how the sea “gives with one hand and takes away with the other”. The statue stands on top of a stainless-steel base plinth surrounded by five lecterns and two bench seats.
At the unveiling last May, a large crowd gathered to see the first major memorial in the town for 100 years. There were speeches, maritime songs, a poem and pipe tunes as invited guests and members of the public gathered around the bronze figure which Mr Watt described at the time as “our Angel of the Far North”.
