On 1 July 1930, during Evensong in Winchester Cathedral, the flags of the Merchant Navy and the missions to Seamen were received by the Bishop of Winchester, the Right Reverend F T Woods DD, who dedicated them to the Glory of God, and retained them for safe keeping in the Cathedral.
Since that Service of Dedication, by permission of the Dean and Chapter of Winchester, the Southampton Master Mariners’ Club has organised a Service each year, apart from a break during the Second World War. The Service on 16 June 2011 was the 70th Annual Shipping Festival Service.
The preacher was The Reverend David Potterton, Principal Chaplain of the Sailors’ Society. Captain Ivor Salter, Captain of the Southampton Master Mariners’ Club, read the Lesson. The Band of the Hampshire Constabulary, under the direction of Captain Pete Curtis, took part in the service.
A Colour Party drawn from HMS King Alfred, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, HM Coastguard and the Warsash Maritime Academy carried the White Ensign, the Red Ensign, the Blue Ensign of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and HM Coastguard, and the Army Ensign worn by Her Majesty’s Army vessels. The Branch Standard Bearers of the Royal Naval Association, the Association of WRNS, the Royal Marines Association and the Merchant Navy Association carried their Standards. Cadets from the Southampton, Winchester and Portsmouth units of the Sea Cadet Corps carried the flags of the Mission to Seafarers, the Apostleship of the Sea and the Sailors’ Society. They also carried the flags of Shipping Companies and Organisations associated with Southampton, and formed a Guard of Honour at the West Door.
On arrival, Dame Mary Fagan, Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, and Captain C Fagan inspected the Guard of Honour before being received by the Dean and Chapter at the West Door.
Dame Mary Fagan inspects the Guard of Honour
They were then joined by the clergy and other dignitaries, who included the High Sheriff of Hampshire, the Mayors of Winchester and Southampton and the Commodore of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, in the Procession up the Nave.
At the East End of the Nave the Very Reverend James Atwell, Dean of Winchester, received the National Ensigns.
After the Service, the Congregation were invited to continue to enjoy hearing the band playing and partake of wine and canapes in the North Transept, the weather being too inclement to enjoy these in the Deanery Garden.
Proceeds from the collection taken during the service are customarily divided equally between Winchester Catherdal and the Southampton Seafarers’ Centre, and donations made by local Companies and individuals are acknowledged in the following year’s Order of Service.
The Cachalots acknlwledge with gratitude the generous donations made last year by the following:
ASSOCIATED BRITISH PORTS – SOUTHAMPTON
BLUE FUNNEL CRUISES
BP OIL
CAPTAIN L MORRIS
CAPTAIN JOHN NOBLE
RED FUNNEL FERRIES
CALCHAS & DIOMED MIDSHIPMENS’ REUNION
V SHIPS UK LTD
TESTBANK SHIP REPAIR LTD
MR R B WOODS CBE
JOHN H WHITAKER TANKERS LTD
and with grateful thanks to
RED FUNNEL FERRIES
who sponsored the printing of this years Order of Service
Next year the Shipping Festival Service will take place in Winchester Cathedral on Thursday 21 June.
ALL ARE WELCOME