PWSTS Forum for Old Boys, Family and Friends

Sea Sunday (KENT)

In Broadstairs, Kent, where I live, the RNLI organise a "Sea Sunday" service on the jetty each year which will be on Sunday, 5th July this year. Before the service all the town organisations and representatives of the services parade about half a mile from the town war memorial to the harbour with standards where applicable. This parade is led by a marching band which, in the past, has included the Royal Marines Band, Portsmouth, when the theme for the Sea Sunday was the Royal Navy.

This year the theme is the Merchant Navy so the RNLI organisers have asked me if I know of a Merchant Navy marching band.   The chap who asked me seems to think there may be one in Devon so I shall try to chase it up through the Plymouth MNA. The band then also play on the jetty during the service which is dedicated to "all those who lost their life at sea". 

Various vessels attend afloat off the end of the jetty. This year the Calais lifeboat will be included. Normally the Merchant Navy is represented on the parade by the East Kent branch of the Vindicatrix Association and us, the Marine Officers' Society of Thanet (MOST). The Isle of Thanet includes Ramsgate, Broadstairs & Margate -- but is no longer an island. As the theme is the Merchant Navy this year we are hoping for support from MNA districts through the Merchant Mariners' Federation to which we are affiliated. 

At present we expect London, Gravesend and Dover to send representatives.   This is a rare chance for the Merchant Navy to be seen so we would welcome all the support we can get. MOST has about 30 members many of whom worked on the ferries out of Dover so we are also hoping to attract many ex colleagues from the East Kent area. On the Sunday night MOST is organising a Dinner Dance at the Pavilion, Broadstairs, to raise funds for the RNLI.   There will be a three course meal and a very popular six piece band, the Swing Commanders.  

Tickets are now available at £30.00 per person   We are hoping to attract many (mainly ex) MN personnel to this event.  

The dance finishes at 00.30 Monday morning at which time the roads are clear and it is possible to motor back to any part of London in two hours.   Alternatively we are hoping to negotiate special hotel rates for those who wish to stay overnight or for the weekend. It has been suggested to move the Broadstairs "Water Gala" forward to the Saturday to make a "Marine Festival Weekend" but this has not yet been confirmed. 

Broadstairs is a holiday resort with sandy beaches and a wide range of pubs and restaurants. Should any of you be interested I would be happy to answer any questions.  

I also hold tickets for the Dinner Dance. 

Best wishes John Bean,
(President and Acting Secretary of MOST)
6, Kings' Avenue, Broadstairs, Kent, CT10 1DJ
Tel 01843 863381