Birmingham’s Lord Mayor recognises role of the Merchant Navy
Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Carl Rice, will fly the Red Ensign at 10am on Saturday September 3, outside the Council House in Victoria Square, to celebrate Merchant Navy Day.
The Lord Mayor will read a Message from HRH The Earl of Wessex before the flag is raised.
He will be joined by Birmingham City Council’s Deputy Leader, Cllr Ian Ward, John Turner, Chairman of the Birmingham Branch for the Merchant Navy and Standard Bearer and others.
The Lord Mayor said: “Merchant Navy Day recognises the losses made by merchant seafarers in the World Wars and the crucial role the Merchant Navy continues to play.
“I am pleased to support the call from the Seafarer UK charity and the Merchant Navy Association for the UK Merchant Navy’s official flag to be flown on this day.”
The charity’s president, HRH The Earl of Wessex, has endorsed the campaign, saying: “On this Merchant Navy Day, I very much hope you will support this campaign to remember the sacrifices, salute the courage and support the future of the often unsung personnel of our Merchant Navy.”
Merchant Navy Day was first recognised on 3 September 2000. Further information is available by visiting www.merchantnavyfund.org/merchant-navy-day
National campaign PR contact:
Nick Harvey, Campaigns Manager, Seafarers UK, phone 020 7932 5969, email nick.harvey@seafarers-uk.org
