Autumn 2016 The Newsletter of The Fishermen’s Mission

135 years of serving our fishermen

In this Issue: • A smile regained • Fishing the Broch • Gorgeous ganseys • Paul & Steve’s big adventure

Providing a lifeline of welfare and support to fishermen and their families network

A smile regained Fishing the Broch

“I feel terrible to be asking for help when there are many Meet Miriam Kemp, the Fishermen’s Mission Superintendent at Fraserburgh. Miriam other people in a much worse situation than me, so I hails from a fishing family and growing up in a fishing port means she understands the don’t mind if I don’t get any assistance.” tough life our fishermen lead. Miriam comments, “It’s a precarious occupation. The weather is atrocious most of the time. The he words of Christopher winters are severely harsh. 2015 saw the loss of five boats and five lives from Anderson during a welfare visit T George Ayoma calls on Fraserburgh alone. Not everyone understands the cost paid by fishermen from Fishermen’s Mission Pastor, Christopher Anderson and many do not value enough the vital food stuff these guys bring us”. Fleetwood Superintendent George Ayoma. cannot always address the sadness In reality Christopher was in desperate or fears relating to these tragic stories. Mission volunteer are ever the same and the work can need. Carpets threadbare, kitchen However we can deal with more outreach worker be very testing at times. But serving flooring non-existent, essential immediate areas of need, the struggle Christopher Anderson fishing (far right) Sylvia in caring for fishermen is in my blood and I wouldn’t household goods falling apart and with poverty, a new carpet, a safe George Ayoma listened intently as these fishermen want to do anything else”. a dangerous cooker that meant cooker, a bed”. Christopher showed him a picture of who are 1,000’s of Christopher struggled to prepare Practical help and simply listening Miriam tells of one such visit to a his uncle and told his story. miles from home. meals. to people’s stories are the heartbeat retired fisherman’s widow whose Later George reflects on the visit, Later there will be Christopher comes from a long line of of the Fishermen’s Mission outreach husband had recently died. Funeral welfare visits to Fleetwood fishermen and he is named “Talking to the nephew of that young programme. Your support means we costs and loss of benefits had plunged fishermen who are after his uncle who was tragically lost lad who died some 85 years ago, I can give Christopher Anderson one of her into debt. Miriam was able to unable to fish due at sea in July 1930 aged just twenty. am struck by how these often heart- life’s most treasured gifts, a smile, a Mending nets give sound advice, arrange long term to illness or injury breaking memories impact today. We precious smile. grant funding from the Shipwrecked and to the many retired fishermen and oday Fraserburgh is the largest Mariners’ Society and to be simply a their families along the 130 miles of Tshellfish harbour in Europe. It friend and a shoulder to cry on at such coastline covered from Fraserburgh. is home to over 130 boats catching a heartbreakingly vulnerable time. mostly prawns and crabs and a further Miriam describes her work, Coastal Blessings 14 pelagic vessels fishing for herring Miriam’s compassionate care of our “From day to day banter with fishermen is only made possible by he sun shone on the and Amble in Northumberland. and mackerel. Add to this a large fishermen at the harbour, befriending your gifts to us. Please can you be Fishermen’s Mission this A Harbour blessing in Troon, number of retired fishermen and their T retired fishermen, providing basic a part of Miriam’s outreach work by summer at a whole host of open- Scotland and a ‘Songs of praise’ dependants and you have a heavy needs for fishing families struggling supporting us today. Thank you. air services. Hundreds of people service at the Herring Queen Gala workload for our Fraserburgh Port financially, caring for those suffering gathered together around our in Eyemouth. Team. heartfelt loss and grief, no two days coastline to celebrate the life At all these wonderful The day begins at the Harbour calling of local seafaring communities occasions Fishermen’s Mission on local and visiting boats. Miriam Meeting local fishermen and the work of the Fishermen’s Superintendents were delighted will also chat with the Filipino, Sri Mission to lead the events, especially at Lankan and Ghanaian crew members. These included a Thanksgiving Amble, where our mascot ‘Albert’ She works closely with Fishermen’s service for the fishing industry in ensured everything ran smoothly! Troon Kilkeel, Northern Ireland. Blessings of the fleet in in Amble

Kilkeel Landing the catch

Looe

2 3 network network network In an instant… TROON’S HOME Date: 20th March 2016 FROM HOME Place: Twenty miles south east of Kilkeel, Northern Ireland. Weather: Fine Imagine yourself as a fisherman. Wrestling with nature. Taking on all the sea can Situation: Kilkeel Fishing Vessel Carraig Cuan Seafish www.seafish.org throw at you. Risking life and limb to bring home a catch as you do the UK’s most taking on water and sinking fast. dangerous job. Now imagine doing that job in a foreign country where hardly anybody speaks your language. The climate is the complete opposite of what Troon Superintendent Paula Three crew on board. Daley you’re used to and the people you love are thousands of miles away.

Experienced crewman Jerome Ingrid Perry visited the hospital McCartan takes up the story. to check on the condition of or over a decade the Fishermen’s Fishermen can access “The trawl was the fishermen. Two were being FMission has been caring for the internet through their progressing discharged and were given fresh migrant fishermen from all over the phones and it remains normally, clothes for the journey home. world who work on UK fishing boats. a pleasure to hear so Jerome had been in the water the everything ok, but Fishermen’s Mission Superintendent for many chatting away to longest and was still quite poorly as then we had some Troon, Paula Daly recalls the opening their families in countries the hospital team strived to get his water in the bilges. of our first Troon Centre in 2006, around the world. The That is not unusual body temperature to rise. Thankfully Troon Centre is really busy “Back then we had mainly Filipino but the skipper Jerome recovered and left hospital Lesley Hammond comments on the and greatly appreciated.” but that was not the end of our fishermen who were living on fairly ensured we put on days following the sinking, Alongside practical involvement. small prawn boats. Their transit visas Jerome McCartan our lifejackets as “We kept in close contact with prevented them from leaving the Preparing for sea facilities, Troon staff and a precaution – a Jerome via phone calls and visits. harbour area. It was great to be able volunteers are available to decision that saved my life. Within Understandably he was very nervous to offer them basic facilities, showers, offer support and advice. seconds mild concern turned to panic even walking by the harbour and had television, Wi-Fi and most importantly This ranges from listening and I was suddenly in the sea. The a fear of returning to the job he loved. Skype, enabling them to make the all- to problems over a cup freezing water engulfed me. I quickly With help and support from his friends important contact with their family at of coffee, to arranging began to lose consciousness. I spent and the Fishermen’s Mission Jerome home – particularly at Christmas time.” medical appointments. 25 minutes in the water before eventually was able to walk along the Very occasionally more Ten years later and changes in help arrived. Hypothermia harbour, then board a fishing boat and serious situations arise regulations see Troon hosting a had set in and I was close to finally return to sea. It’s great to see meaning other agencies number of migrant crew from within the death.” him once again doing the job he has are called in ensuring the EU. Mainly from Latvia and Romania, Troon Centre in busy use The Coastguard helicopter done all his working life.” men have the best possible they fill crew spaces on boats when rescued all three crew and The trauma and stress of shipwreck Paula comments support. local crew are not available. When in transferred them to Drogheda can never be underestimated. 2015 port they use the Centre and return “Everyone is welcome! The updated Thank you. Your help means hospital. saw the Fishermen’s Mission help 280 to their boats to sleep at night. Troon facilities including a kitchen, laundry fishermen thousands of miles from fishermen following emergencies at That evening Fishermen’s Centre is also used every evening and showers are much more home as well as those closer to the sea. Without your support we could Mission Superintendents at by Filipino, Ghanaian and British comfortable than they were ten years ones they love can be cared for by the Kilkeel Lesley Hammond and not even help one. ago and technology has improved. Fishermen’s Mission. Lesley Hammond & Ingrid Perry fishermen. Wonder women! esley Hammond and Ingrid Perry Lesley comments, Lshowed off their Superhero skills “We wanted to do something different. by abseiling down the Europa Hotel The weather wasn’t great but we in Belfast. 170 feet of decidedly dicey made it down anyway, raising an dangling descent held no fears for amazing £1,260. A fun fundraiser our Kilkeel Port Officers. for a great charity and a great day’s craic!”

4 5 network network

Gorgeous Ganseys National Fish & Chip Day 2016 ish and chip championed all that Craig Maw & Nikki Hull is moving towards an exciting year as it prepares to be the Fshops across the is so great about fish Mutton donated £1 City of Culture 2017. Keen to embrace the spirit of the year is the UK joined with the and chips whilst also from each portion of Fishermen’s Mission. Celebrating Hull’s rich fishing heritage and Fishermen’s Mission raising money for the fish and chips sold our invaluable welfare work within its community. on Friday 3rd June Fishermen’s Mission. on the day and held 2016 to celebrate Close to £8,800 has a raffle with the first Two main exhibitions are planned at Hull’s Maritime Museum the nation’s favourite been raised, with an prize being free fish (May-June) and the city’s Holy Trinity Church (July-August). takeaway on the incredible £2,016 & chips for a whole second “National Fish coming from one year! Indeed, things & Chip Day.” shop – Kingfisher got so busy we had to n addition to these exhibitions, fishing families and Hull’s wider Not forgetting the Gorgeous Ganseys, the Fish & Chips in send Albert along to throughout the year a number of community to ensure their fisherman’s jumper, Hull volunteer Ruth Hundreds of the Albert meets Craig Maw at Kingfisher fish & chips I Plymouth. Owners help out! Plymouth local events are being organised contribution to the Year of Culture Creasey says, country’s top fryers in and around the city and the is a true reflection of Hull as a “For autumn of 2017, a Gansey exhibition Fishermen’s Mission has been close knit community with fishing is being planned and we need the help of invited to participate in them. running through its veins. Fishermen’s Mission supporters around Our aim is to involve local school So why not get involved? the UK. We are asking people to knit Fantastic Fish Friday children, retired trawlermen, Tracey Stephens, a medium sized Gansey or loan us riday 17th June 2016 was Mountain Fishermen’s Mission a Gansey featuring their own FFish Friday, the National Superintendent in Hull specific regional pattern. The Fundraising Day for the says, deadline date is July 2017. Fishermen’s Mission. Once again Bikers! The cost of the wool will “Come to Hull! Make we were thrilled to have Tesco be paid for and the knitted mazing Craig Taylor and his friends a diary date to visit donate 5% of their fish counter Ganseys will be returned or from Kirkwall tackled Britain’s highest Hull in 2017 and see sales on Fish Friday and many A auctioned off as you wish”. peak and then undertook a 108 mile the exhibitions. Also stores were invaded by pirates & bike ride to raise a brilliant £4,000 for the please pray for God’s A challenge to the mermaids as Tesco staff donned Albert visits Harbour Lights Falmouth Fishermen’s Mission. help in our extensive Fishermen’s Mission family… fancy dress and decorated their preparations for next let’s get knitting! fish counters. Our Albert was who, along with sister restaurant A seven hour trek up a snow covered Ben Herring girls knitting traditional year”. amazingly popular and made Frasers in , have Nevis in early June was completed by Ganseys Typical Humber Gansey friends with a Cornish pasty in raised a massive £10,000 for Craig with friends George Currie, Erlend Tesco ! the Fishermen’s Mission. The Currie, David Currie and Magnus Currie. Albert also called in at Harbour Fishermen’s Friends also sang for Two weeks later Craig and Roy Norquoy, Lights restaurant in Falmouth us at Port Isaac, Cornwall. Fishermen’s Mission Superintendent for Thank you to all our Fish Friday Orkney, combined roads and ferries to Paul & Steve’s supporters and particularly the cycle 108 miles, completing the ‘Pentland UK’s wonderful Fishmongers Firth Cycle Challenge’. big adventure who really got behind Fish Friday Craig’s incredible efforts were prompted 2016. by two separate tragedies at sea earlier nvited to attend Her Majesty on the water since my accident.” Albert meets a Cornish this year, in the Western Isles and off The Queen’s Patron’s Lunch in Pasty at Tesco Truro on Fish Orkney, which claimed the lives of four I Steve’s heart sank, wondering Paul presents Steve with £670 raised Friday (left) June, Peterhead Superintendent if he had done the right thing, for the fishermen’s Mission. fishermen. Steve Murray accompanied Steve comments, fisherman Paul Buchan to “We set off and the rib picked London for a never to be up speed. As it bumped off the forgotten weekend. Paul lost his waves the spray hit our faces leg in a horrific fishing accident in and I knew it had been the right June 2015. One year later Steve decision - Paul was just beaming Murray has a surprise for Paul, a and for that priceless moment super-fast rib trip on the Thames! alone it was worth the whole When boarding the rib, Paul said weekend”. “This is the first time I have been Paul speeds down the Thames Fishermen’s Friends sing at Port Isaac, Cornwall

6 7 2017 Prayer Calendar: A message from Fishermen’s Mission Pastor George Ayoma.

ne hundred and thirty years ago in 1886 the ‘Toilers of the Deep’ Owas the title of the Fishermen’s Mission magazine. The June 1886 edition contained these words, “the history of the Mission is one long record of prayer answered.” Why not join us in praying for the work of the Fishermen’s Mission by receiving one of our 2017 prayer calendars? These will be sent to you in early December. Just tick the box on the enclosed donation slip and return to us at the address shown or visit www.fishermensmission.org.uk/prayercalendar/ and sign up there. Thank you for your prayers, they are so important.

How you can help us

Make a donation Become a volunteer  Remember us in your will We receive no government funding or We are always grateful for the help given Everyone wants to ensure that friends lottery support so every single donation to us by our dedicated volunteers. If you and family are well provided for if you are makes a real difference to us. You can can spare a few hours each month do writing or updating your will. However, make a donation by calling FREEPHONE get in touch just a small gift to the Fishermen’s 0800 634 1020 or donate online at FREEPHONE 0800 634 1020 Mission can make all the difference www.fishermensmission.org.uk/ or email enquiries@ to our work and ensure that your help autumn16 or post a cheque to our fishermensmission.org.uk continues. If you would like a legacy address shown below. 88p of every £1 leaflet call FREEPHONE generated is spent on providing our 0800 634 1020 or email: services. [email protected]

How to contact us: Telephone us: 01489 566910 Freephone: 0800 6341020 Email us: [email protected] Write to us: The Fishermen’s Mission, Mather House, 4400 Parkway, Solent Business Park, Whiteley, Hampshire, PO15 7FJ

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Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in No. 24477. A Charity founded in 1881. Registered Charity England & Wales No. 232822. Registered Charity Scotland No.SC039088.