New Research Into National Maritime Charity to Shed Light on Shipwreck Survivors

A major research project has been launched into the 175 year history of national charity the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society.

Dr Cathryn Pearce, Research Fellow in the Lifesaving and Shipwreck Group, at the University of Greenwich, has begun an eight month project looking into the history of the Society as part of a planned investigation into lifesaving and coastal communities around Britain between 1700 and 1914.

Commodore Malcolm Williams, Chief Executive of the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, said he is delighted that Cathryn is taking the time to go through the archives to shed further light on the historical work of the Society.

Malcolm explains:- "Losses from shipwrecks in the 19th Century were staggering. In 1859; a particularly bad year; 1,416 British owned merchant ships and fishing vessels were lost around Britain's coast and with them 1,645 lives. In 1882, a more typical year, only 445 vessels were lost! Typically in the middle years of the 19th Century the Society would be helping 12,000 to 13,000 people every year, including 8,000 widows, orphans and aged parents and 4,000 seafarers. Fortunately the Society doesn't deal with shipwrecks on the scale it used to, but our work remains as important, providing financial support to those in need, albeit in a much changed world. While our name is now more of a metaphor for what we do sadly we still deal with losses at sea, usually of single manned fishing vessels."

Dr Pearce said the idea for the project came out of her doctoral research, which was ultimately published in 2010 as:- 'Cornish Wrecking, 1700 to 1860 - Reality and Popular Myth.'

On the project, she commented:- "After the research I began to ask questions about lifesaving and communities, such as what happened to the victims and how were they cared for? How did those communities cope with shipwreck victims who landed on their shores and the loss of their own menfolk? And what was the role of the charities, as opposed to that of the Coastguard and other governmental agencies?"

This led Dr Pearce to the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society, which was founded in 1839. The Society provided financial assistance to the widows and families of fishermen and mariners who were lost at sea while for survivors it offered clothing, food, accommodation and paid for travel home.

She continued:- "Initial research is bringing to light the sheer number of shipwrecks that occurred yearly on Britain's shores in the 19th century and the need for assistance that ensued. In 1860 alone, for example, the Society helped 7,247 shipwreck victims, both British and from overseas. The Charity's impressive history highlights the importance of public giving, philanthropy and humanitarianism that began in the nineteenth century and which continues to this day."

Dr Pearce will be sharing her research with fellow academics, the Shipwrecked Mariners' Society and local historians, as well as with the general public, in the hope that it will raise even more awareness of the Society's work both today and in the past.

The research into the Society's archives is being funded by Greenwich University, with a view to securing additional funding from the Art and Humanities Research Council for the larger project.

Nowadays, the Society's primary purpose is providing financial support to retired seafarers struggling to make ends meet or who are of working age but unable to work due to ill health, an accident or for compassionate reasons. Last year, the Charity helped in over 2,200 cases of need amounting to an expenditure of £1.4 million. It received over 600 new applications for assistance.

To find out more about the Charity, visit:- ShipWreckedMariners.Org.UK  or find them on Facebook  and on Twitter.

'LightNight' – Liverpool's annual late night culture crawl set to return

THE annual 'LightNight', Liverpool's 1 night arts festival, and it will be returning to illuminate the City for a 6th consecutive year on Friday, 15 May 2015. The event attracts thousands of visitors who will get the chance to explore and celebrate the City's world class cultural. With over 100 events taking place, you will be spoilt for choice from 4pm and well into the night!

Launching Liverpool's One Magnificent City programme for the year, LightNight marks the start of a series of major cultural events, which continues the following weekend with the:- 'Three Queens' event, over 24 May 26 May, followed by the 'International Mersey River Festival' that will run over 4 June to 7 June 2015 and many other amazing events beyond that!

On LightNight visitors can expect interactive light projections, colourful street performances, exhibition launches, heritage tours, open studios, exclusive science demonstrations, live music, hands on art workshops and much more as museums, galleries and cultural spaces across the City keep their doors open late for a packed showcase of the region's arts offer.

The night includes 100 free events staged across 50 City Centre locations, with participating organisations including St George's Hall, Liverpool John Moores University, Tate Liverpool, Central Library, Merseyside Maritime Museum, LOOK/15, The Bluecoat, FACT, Liverpool BID Company, Liverpool Town Hall, Brazilica, St Luke's 'Bombed Out' Church, Liverpool Cathedral, Impropriety, Camp and Furnace, Victoria Gallery and Museum, Constellations, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, Open Eye Gallery, Walker Art Gallery, Baltic Creative, Movema and many more.

LOOK/15 - Exchange - Liverpool International Photography Festival's 3rd edition, will launch on the night with exhibition previews, artist talks, workshops and more.

With such a wide range of events there's something on offer for all ages – everyone can participate in and enjoy a spectacular LightNight to remember.

The full programme will be released online at:- LightNightLiverpool.Co.UK, on 30 March 2015.

LightNight audience member from 2014 said:- "By far the most exciting, original and magical event in the City's cultural calendar..."

Tracey Crosbie, Event Manager, Liverpool BID Company (Festival sponsors) said:- "Light Night is unlike anything else in Liverpool's calendar and with so many great venues and spaces involved it's arguably the must do experience of the year. It's a showcase of the City at its most creative, brimming with wit and imagination and as a result it never fails to surprise, stimulate and delight in equal measure. The Liverpool BID Company is proud to be involved again and deeply excited at putting some of our hidden gems in such a brilliant spotlight."

Charlotte Corrie, Director, Open Culture (Festival producers) said:- "LightNight 2015 will be a wonderful showcase of Liverpool's year-round arts offer. The festival is a huge collaboration with over 100 organisations and artists to remind people of what's on their doorstep and encourage them to come out and explore the trail of events together. Last year's festival had over 50,000 visits - it's growing every year, and we can't wait to reveal the full programme of events on 30 March. There really will be something for everyone."

Emma Smith, Executive Director LOOK said:- "LOOK/15 is proud to launch on LightNight, in partnership with Open Culture, Liverpool City Council, Arts Council England and approximately 40 partners. As one of the largest UK photography festivals, LOOK/15 provides a fantastic platform for budding photographers, hailing from all over the world, and our fair City."

To see our coverage from the event last year, please click on here now, plus form 2013 click on here...