Celebrating 100 years of the Fishermen’s Mission in Shetland 1907 - 2007



In this article:
Introduction: 100 Years!
FISH FIESTA 2007
MISSION WEEKEND 2007: The 100 Years - what’s happening
SCHOOLS COMPETITION FOR 100 YEARS
BLESSING OF THE FLEET SERVICE
RNMDSF SHETLAND FISH TRADES GOLF CUP
LOST FISHERMEN’S DAY SERVICE
MORE DETAILS ON NOSTALGIC BUS TRIP
and more…


Introduction: 100 Years!

This year is the centenary of the Fishermen’s Mission in Shetland. We will be celebrating this through various events, but the major occasion will be Mission Weekend 2007: The 100 Years.

There will also be the usual activities such as Fish Fiesta 2007, RNMDSF Shetland Fish Trades Golf Cup, the annual House to House Appeal 2007.

This year we give thanks to God for his faithfulness in sustaining the work of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen (RNMDSF) in Shetland for 100 years. It is a privilege to be a part of 100 years of Christian service not only to the fishermen and fishing community of Shetland, but to the men from the north east of Scotland and further afield, who have visited Lerwick down the years in need of practical, financial, spiritual support or found themselves in hospital or needing to get home - the Mission was there for them.

There have been many, many changes over the last 100 years… in the fishing… and in the Mission operation in Shetland.

An apt phrase may well be: “Constant change is here to stay!”


FISH FIESTA 2007

Friday 16 March 7pm

The annual Fish Fiesta at the NAFC marine Centre, Scalloway, this year will signal the start of the 100 year celebrations, being the first major event of 2007. This year there will be “a few surprises” in store to give the event a special flavour. An evening not to be missed!

The evening will begin as always with a Shetland Seafood Buffet, followed by the after dinner event in the Lecture Theatre.
There will be a raffle with some interesting and original prizes!

We also hope to have available for sale “100 Years in Shetland” Mission Mugs.

Tickets cost £20.00 and are still available from the NAFC Marine Centre on 01595 772 000.


Exhibition

	The Fishermen’s Mission in Shetland: The 100 years 1907 - 2007 Venue: Islesburgh Community Centre, ground floor; When: whole month of April. Photos, pictures, first hand accounts of Fishing and Mission. If you have material we can use please contact us…..

MISSION WEEKEND 2007: 21 – 23 April

What’s happening……
Saturday 21 April

7.30pm: Concert in Lerwick Town Hall.
So far confirmed are Jillian Isbister (piano/singer), Shaela (fiddle group) and Lerwick Brass Band. Between 9 and 9.30pm there will be a finger buffet (snacks) and centenary cake at the close of evening.

Sunday 22 April

10.30am: Mission Colour Party leading other colour parties, including the Merchant Navy Association, Royal British Legion, Salvation Army and uniformed organizations on parade to St. Columba’s Church from Fort Charlotte, processing past the last Mission building, in Harbour Street, past the present premises, in Stewart Building, then past the first Mission building, at the Tolbooth, and on to St Columba’s Church.

11.15am: Civic (Sea) Service at St.Columba’s Church, Lerwick
Conducted by the Fishermen’s Mission. Address by Rev Gordon Oliver.

12.30pm: Parade to Victoria Pier led by Lerwick Brass Band

1pm: Laying of Wreath at Sea
Vessels leave from Victoria Pier for 1.30pm off the Knab with Lerwick Lifeboat (operations permitting), Pilot Boat “Knab”, “Kebister”, Coastguard Emergency Towing Vessel, a pelagic vessel, an older trawler, and aerial support from Coastguard Helicopter “Oscar Charlie” (operations permitting) flying a Mission flag below.

THE LAYING OF WREATH CEREMONY WILL BE VIEWABLE FROM TOP OF KNAB.

Sunday 23 April

8pm: Night Cap Special at Garthspool Evangelical Church, Lerwick with Westside Choir. Service to be led by Senior Supt Bill Simmonds (Retired) and Senior Supt Jim Ralph (Retired).

Calling all retired fishermen, former fishermen and active fishermen…..

If you are a retired fisherman, former fisherman or active fisherman, we would like to invite you to take part in the parade from Fort Charlotte to St Columba’s Church and from St Columba’s Church to Victoria Pier after service.

Assemble at 10.20am at Fort Charlotte ready to parade at 10.30am.

If you are able to partake in the parade we would need to know at the latest by 31 March 2007. Please call the Mission office on 01595 692703 leaving your name and contact phone number.

We would invite you to be a part of history as we celebrate 100 years of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen in Shetland.


SCHOOLS COMPETITION FOR 100 YEARS

As part of the celebrations this year we are writing to all schools to invite them to participate in a poster and/or project competition.

The idea is that we will have all the material in time for our Exhibition and Mission Weekend at the end of April 2007. We will judge which is thought to be the best in each category, but will be displaying any work that comes in.

We need all items for entry to be sent by 2 April 2007 to:

Fishermen’s Mission Schools Competition, Upper Floor, Stewart Building, Esplanade, Lerwick ZE1 0LL,

For any schools reading this article:

We are asking for a poster which celebrates the Fishermen’s Mission’s 100 years presence in Shetland and/or a short project on some aspect of the Mission. Perhaps some of your pupils have relations who have had an involvement with the Mission in the past.

If you want any more information, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.



BLESSING OF THE FLEET SERVICE

Due to the success of the first Blessing of the Fleet Service last year we are again having a service on Sunday 3 June at 3pm on Victoria Pier, Lerwick Harbour. If, for operational reasons, this is not possible we will be at last year’s venue Alexandra Wharf.

If you are a skipper/owner of a whitefish or pelagic vessel we would invite you to bring your vessel to the service. Please contact the Mission if you are able to bring your vessel and leave your name and address, the name of the vessel and your contact number.

A form will be sent out to all fishing skippers/owners in next few weeks.


RNMSDF SHETLAND FISH TRADES GOLF CUP

On Saturday 16 June it will time to tee off at Whalsay Golf Club, Skaw, for what will be 10 years of the RNMDSF Shetland Fish Trades Golf Cup, generously sponsored again by Shetland Catch Ltd. Entry forms will be going out in May. If you are interested in putting in a team please phone the Mission on 692703.


LOST FISHERMEN’S DAY SERVICE

This is a new event for this year and is really a follow on from the Laying of Wreath at Sea taking place on Sunday 22 April at 1pm as part of Mission Weekend 2007.

After the service to mark the 125th Anniversary of the Gloup Disaster last year, it was felt that there was a need for this kind of service every year. A service to remember all fishermen who have been lost over the years in and around Shetland waters, including all seafarers who have been lost both from the Merchant Navy and Royal Navy.

The first service will be on Sunday 24 June at 11.15am at Haroldswick Methodist Church, Unst. This will take the form of a United Isles Service.
More details will be issued nearer the time and the service will also be included as part of the Johnsmas Foy programme for 2007.


NOSTALGIC BUS TRIP…….following the herring trail to East Anglia

If you have not planned your holidays yet….look no further!

As part of our 100 Year Celebrations of the Fishermen’s Mission in Shetland this year, we are having a Nostalgic Bus Trip to East Anglia, following the herring fishing trail and visiting key places associated with fishing, as well as having some time to view the area.

This will take place from Monday 24 September to Friday 5 October

We plan to visit: EYEMOUTH, NORTH SHIELDS AREA, HULL AND GRIMSBY, LOWESTOFT/GREAT YARMOUTH.

We will be visiting former fishing places, and also attractions such as Grimsby Fishing Heritage Museum, former Hull side winder trawler “Artic Corsair”, “The Deep” modern aquarium in Hull, “Time and Tide Museum” in Great Yarmouth, and the Royal Navy Patrol Service (RNPS) Museum in Lowestoft.

Also a day trip on the Norfolk Broads is possible along with a day in Norwich

It is hoped to link up with quite a few of the Mission Centres on our nostalgic journey.

The cost of this 10 day trip is £475

We can take up to 40 people and there are still places available. If you wish to come please book your place by contacting the Mission as soon as possible and before 31 March 2006.


Finally….

At the Sunday Night Cap on 18 February, at which Rev Derek Conabeer, Baptist Minister for Burra, was guest speaker, Gordon and Janet gave their last “Mission” appearance. After nine years playing in churches and other venues throughout Shetland they are “taking it easy”. It was fitting because their ministry began largely through the Mission.

At the Night Cap Gordon and Janet were presented with gifts as a sign of the Mission’s appreciation. Janet was presented with a bone china commemorative plate to mark the 125th anniversary of RNMDSF and a bouquet of flowers, Gordon was presented with a Mission (RNMDSF) tie.














We hope you are able to support us at some of the events this year as we celebrate 100 Years of the Fishermen’s Mission in Shetland

Peter Dade
Superintendent


Stop press:

18 March at 8pm
Islesburgh community centre room 12

Night cap
GUEST NIGHT

SPEAKER: REV. Malcolm McCall
Music by Geordie Pottinger, Jem Napier and John James Inkster

PLEASE BRING A FRIEND!

NB: LAST NIGHT CAP BEFORE MISSION WEEKEND.