News

Download the newspaper in Microsoft Word Format

We are pleased to provide you with further information about the work of the Southampton Seafarers Centre and to tell you about the events that are being planned.

Centre statistics for 2008
In spite of the recent significant downturn in shipping worldwide, the number of seafarers transferred in the minibuses from their ships by our Chaplaincy team and volunteer ship visitors and taken to and from the Centre increased in 2008 by 14% to 10,364 seafarers. The number of seafarers making their own way to the Centre increased by 13% over 2007 figures to 9,791 persons. Our staff also visited 1,977 ships berthed within the port of Southampton, at the Esso refinery and on the BP Hamble berth. Thus, in 2008, over 20,000 seafarers, of whom 40% were Filipino, visited the Centre where they could relax, and use the internet and telephone facilities to contact their loved ones at home. This considerable number of seafarers indicates how important the Centre's amenities and transport facilities which take seafarers to and from their ships are to those seafarers visiting the port of Southampton.

QE2 Presentation
On almost her final visit to Southampton a cheque for £6000 was presented to the Centre by the Mayor of Southampton, Councillor Brian Parnell, on behalf of the Southampton Shipowners Association. This extremely generous donation was a result of the Gala Dinner and Dance evening held by the Shipowners Association in aid of the Centre. The presentation was made aboard the QE2 as shown below:

Brass plaques for the "blue chairs"
A number of people have asked if they could commemorate the memory of a loved one within the chapel and the addition of the blue chairs has provided the ideal opportunity. Oval brass plaques are available which can be fixed to the back of the chair and many are now in place. The wording used is "In loving memory of (Persons name) and (date)" which is engraved in three horizontal lines. For those people who have already paid for a new blue chair, there will be no charge. For those wishing to buy one of the chairs and a commemorative plaque with engraving, the charge will be £77 for the chair and £15 for the plaque and engraving. If you would like further details of this scheme please contact the Centre Manager, Colin Dorrington on 02380 333106.

Colin's Curry Club
Colin Dorrington, our Centre Manager, is offering a curry lunch for just £5 per person at which one can choose from Chicken Tikka Masala, Chicken Korma or Beef Madras or a vegetarian curry: all complete with rice, popadums, chutney and potato wedges plus drinks from a well stocked bar. Please come and bring your friends and join us or book a group table (02380 714090). The Club dates are on Fridays from 12 noon as follows:

27th March
24th April
29th May
26th June
31st July
28th August
25th September

Pub Lunch
The Centre was packed to the doors on Saturday 25th October as the Southampton Shipowners Association hosted a pub lunch, organised by Tony McDonald. Live music was provided by an excellent local band playing 60s and 70s music whilst everyone tucked into a variety of home cooked food provided by Colin. More than £1000 was raised for the Centre. We are very grateful to the Southampton Shipowners Association for this wonderful event which we hope will be repeated in 2009.

Admiral John Lang will return
Many supporters of the Centre enjoyed the illustrated talk by Rear Admiral John Lang on the sinking of the Titanic. His considerable knowledge and detailed account of the events leading to the tragedy held all who attended enthralled. We are pleased to announce that Admiral Lang has agreed to make a return visit in the spring of 2009. Although we don't as yet know the topic (other than it will be a maritime theme) we do know that it will be another enthralling evening. We will let all our readers know well in advance of the event which is likely to be held in one of the passenger terminals in the docks.

Shipping in the port
We are all well aware of the downturn in the shipping volumes in our ports and Southampton is no exception. At times like these the welfare and pastoral services provided by our chaplaincy teams and other volunteers to visiting seafarers takes on an added importance so we can offer help and support and a listening ear to those who are concerned for their jobs. Please continue to support the work of the Centre in anyway you can whether it be with knitted hats, financial help or in your prayers.

Mission AGM
For the last 74 years the Southampton branch of The Mission to Seafarers has celebrated their AGM some time in June. In recent times we have been fortunate to have one of the P&O Cruise ships made available to us and those who support the work are invited to join us for that meeting. Our Centre in Southampton is now truly ecumenical and the officers of the branch are most anxious to extend an invitation to all supporters of the Centre to enjoy the morning with us. If you would like an invite to join us on P&O Cruises Aurora on Wednesday June 3rd please contact John Habberley (contact info below). Those who have attended previously will receive an invitation automatically.


Please send all communications about the newsletter to the editor, John Habberley on 01489 572899 or at johnhabberley@btopenworld.com