Portsmouth to hold annual service for seafarers

The Lord Mayor of Portsmouth is set to lead the city in its annual service for seafarers and those who have lost their lives at sea, and to commemorate the life of Nelson, on Sunday 1 October.

At 11.15am the Lord Mayor, Cllr Tom Coles, will be joined by the Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, and the Mayors of Fareham, Gosport and Havant, for the service at Portsmouth Cathedral in Old Portsmouth, which will be led by the Dean of Portsmouth, the Very Reverend Dr Anthony Cane.

Senior officers from the Royal Navy will also attend the cathedral service, as well as representatives of community, military and charitable organisations. A collection will be taken for the Seafarers’ Charity.

At just after 11am the Lord Mayor will lead a short civic procession along St Thomas’s Street to the cathedral. After the service the same procession will take attendees to the statue of Admiral Lord Nelson in Grand Parade, Old Portsmouth, where the Lord-Lieutenant will lead the laying of wreaths.

The Lord Mayor will then go to the sea wall where he will commit a wreath to the sea to commemorate all those whose lives have been lost at sea.

The Lord Mayor said:

“It is important, as a port city, that we take the time to be thankful for seafarers and remember those who have lost their lives at sea. I am honoured to be part of this poignant service to honour seafarers.”