Well done Chris on hosting a very successful fundraiser for Seafarers UK .
Thank you all who supported the fashion Drop In by Studio Two and thank you Brenda for all your hard work to make the event such a success. The weather was great too, especially eating our pasties from Dashers outside in the garden.
We all have friends who fit into different groups/circles. Neighbours, school pals, work colleagues, family etc. Apart from family the one group that I am very close to is my Watch Ashore friends.
I am lucky that I have family living nearby and always enjoyed plenty of support. No one in the family or any of my friends was married to anyone in the Merchant Navy.
After being married a few years and moving to a new house one of the neighbours invited me to come along to the Watch Ashore. To be honest I was coping fine and didn’t want to mix with anyone who felt sorry for themselves etc. Eventually I ran out of excuses not to go and when I did what I found was a great group of women various ages and backgrounds who had a very similar life to my own. Very much their own person, half full glass and not half empty glass type of people. Like everything in life they are some you can relate to better than others but everyone was open and friendly.
I think the need for that type of group is still very relevant today. With our hectic fast paced lifestyles, it is good to stop and take time for yourself, socialising with someone who knows the ups and downs of life married to a seafarer. Social media is very relevant in today’s world but it can’t replace the good old coffee and chat, friendly hug or just the sympathetic ear of someone who just “gets it”
When my children were small and all their friends were going to “daddy’s work Christmas party” they didn’t feel left out because our local watch ashore always organised a children’s Christmas party and it became a highlight of their year. Santa always made an appearance and everyone was delighted with their gift.
Another thing that I enjoy is our AGM weekends. We have had some great weekends with plenty of laughter, shopping, sightseeing and generally enjoying each others’ company. As they say “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” same can be said for our weekends!
The Watch Ashore, an organisation established in 1933 to provide support for wives and partners of Merchant Navy officers, has turned to social media to raise its membership and campaign more effectively. With branches in six UK ports and membership around the country, providing mutual support for those whose loved ones are away at sea, Watch Ashore is launching a new website, a forum for its members and is reaching out to a younger generation with cheap and effective social media.
Working with the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and with financial support from the Merchant Navy Fund, short training courses in the use of social media are being provided in a project that aims to help the organisation raise its profile, improve its outreach and increase its membership.
Watch Ashore was founded 82 years ago when the Merchant Navy was suffering from the worst of the Great Depression. Providing support and friendship for “wives, widows, mothers, sisters and daughters of all Merchant Navy officers and anyone with an interest in the Merchant Navy”, it grew to sixteen branches around British ports. It also lobbied effectively over the years for reforms that would improve conditions for Merchant Navy personnel.
Six branches are active today, in Plymouth, Southampton, Glasgow, London, Edinburgh and the Humber. Country members who do not live close to the branches are welcomed and there is a programme of meetings. The branches also help the maritime charity sector with fund-raising and other support.
“The Watch Ashore is a valuable support network for all those whose loved ones are serving at sea, but we would greatly welcome more members who might benefit from belonging to our organisation”, comments Watch Ashore Chair Mrs Chris Rankin. A busy social programme, soon backed up with the new website and forum will hopefully attract new members. Mrs Rankin added that there remain important reforms needed to make life better for serving seafarers and their families. Families for instance, were experiencing difficulty with the “hard line” being currently taken by head teachers over children being taken out of school when seafaring fathers were on leave in term time.
October 21st & 22nd 6 members of the National Watch Ashore will attend a seminar on Welfare Guidance & Signposting. This project is organized by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board.
The National Chairman Mrs. Chris Ranking laid a wreath during the ceramony at Trinity Gardens on the 7th September 2014.
The National AGM of the Watch Ashore was held in Birmingham early in May and 41 members representing five of the existing 6 branches from around the country enjoyed a weekend of fun and frolics. Country members and a number of very brave husbands accompanied their wives and as always were warmly welcomed. A coach trip was organised to the National Arboretum where members inspected the Watch Ashore bench that has been placed in the midst of the Memorial Merchant Navy wood. The bench was paid for by members to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Watch Ashore. The Watch Ashore have been approached by the MN Welfare board to assist in a project to develop a system of support for current wives and partners uing social media and a proposal to go forward with this was discussed and carried at the AGM. As the Vice Chairman stood down from office the Committee will continue without filling this post for the next year but will request nominations for this seat at the 2015 AGM. The retiring Secretary was presented with gifts and flowers by the Chairman. The new encumbent was welcomed and given her badge of office.