6 March 2014
The National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations (NFFO) is supporting one of the UK’s oldest maritime charities to run its annual poetry competition, designed to acknowledge the nation’s continuing reliance on seafarers, whether fishermen or merchant mariners.
The
Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society, which provides financial support
to retired or permanently disabled seafarers and their families, is launching the third instalment of its
national limerick competition. The competition was launched to
coincide with the Charity’s 175th anniversary and is set to be judged
by renowned Poet, Broadcaster and Comedian, Ian McMillan.
The Society is
inviting people of all ages, including budding young poets from schools,
colleges and youth organisations across the country and those of more mature
years to enter the popular competition and write an original poem on a maritime subject in limerick form,
consisting of no more than five lines, with the first, second and fifth
usually rhyming.
Known as the ‘Bard
of Barnsley’, Ian McMillan, who previously held the coveted position of poet in
residence at the English National Opera, has strong maritime connections, with
his father having served in the Royal Navy. To mark the occasion he penned the following
limerick in celebration of fishermen to inspire budding poets:
They work on the waves of the sea,
They’re skillful, I know you’ll agree:
They cast out their net
in the cold and the wet
So we can eat fish for our tea!
This year’s
competition is being supported by the NFFO, the representative body for
fishermen’s groups, individual fishermen and producer organisations in England,
Wales and Northern Ireland.
Chief Executive of
the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, Barrie Deas, said:
“Whether fishermen, armed forces or merchant navy, life at sea can be hard and
dangerous. Often ex-seafarers can be left feeling isolated or in difficulty
financially, so the work of the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society is vital in
supporting those who have dedicated their lives to the sea. By supporting this
competition, we are hopefully encouraging more people to come forward for
support and to raise awareness of this often life changing good cause.”
Speaking of his involvement Ian said: “I’m proud to
be associated with a competition that brings together two very important
skills: sea fishing and writing poetry. They’re both about tight lines
and catching something and bringing it home.”
The deadline for entries is Midnight on Friday 21st March
2014 and the charity is
offering an engraved barometer and video recording of the wining poem, read by
Ian McMillan, as a prize.
To
enter the competition, for full terms and conditions or for more information about the work
of the Society visit www.shipwreckedmariners.org.uk
or the society’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/shipwreckedmariners.
For more information about
how the NFFO supports fishermen and other seafarers visit https://www.nffo.org.uk/