Service held in Boston as part of an international tribute to seafarers

The Sea Sunday service was held at St Nicholas Church last Sunday (July 12).

Sea Sunday is an annual event in which churches around the world remember and pray for those who work at sea and the people who support them.

The event at St Nicholas Church was organised by the Boston Branch of the Merchant Navy Association. Previously, it was arranged by the Boston Branch of the Royal Naval Association, but that has now closed.

The service was officiated by The Rev Father Paul Norwood, priest in charge of St Nicholas and chaplain to the branch.

The Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire sent a representative on behalf of The King, who, in addition to being head of The Royal Navy, is Master of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleet.

Other attendees included: the Mayor of Boston, in his dual role of civic leader and Admiral of the Wash; borough councillors; and Boston Sea Cadets, who formed a guard of honour as part of the service. The event also included a wreath-laying ceremony at the Merchant Navy memorial in the churchyard, and flowers being placed at the graves of two former Boston harbour masters.

Branch secretary Roger Round said: “Boston has, of course, a terrific seafaring history, going back to the Pilgrim Fathers, and this should, therefore, be an important event in the town.”