Morecambe cockling tragedy 20 years on: tribute and memorial services being held to mark 20th anniversary of disaster

A touching tribute to the 23 cocklers who lost their lives after being trapped by incoming tides in the bay is being hosted by charity More Music on West End Beach, on Sunday February 4 from 4.30-6pm.

The event will include music, warm drinks, braziers, lanterns on which people can write messages and thoughts, and finally the lighting of a fire in the shape of a boat.

The beach event will be followed with music and food at More Music in Devonshire Road, featuring the Long Walk Chinese Ensemble, and internationally renowned flautist and cook Guo Yue.

A More Music spokesperson said: “At this event we will think about their [the victims’] lives and commit to making the world a safer, better place for all.

“Please join More Music to send your wishes and thoughts out on the tide and in the wind.”

The day after on Monday, February 5, memorial services will be held to mark the 20th anniversary of the cockling disaster.

The first service will be on the shore by Archers cafe at Red Bank Farm in Bolton-le-Sands at 11am.

Revd Susan Seed of Slyne with Hest parish and her colleague Revd Peter Hamborg, vicar at Bolton-le-Sands are holding the service and are inviting local schoolchildren, parishioners and local residents to attend.

During the service there will be some background as to what happened on that fateful night, a time of silent remembrance, poems and reflections written by school children will be read, and there will be a short Bible reading and prayers.

A candlelight vigil and memorial service will start at 6pm at the memorial dedicated to the Chinese cocklers close to RNLI Lifeboat Station on Morecambe Promenade.

The service at the Cocklers’ Memorial next to the RNLI station (LA4 5BY) will be led by the Bishop of Blackburn, the Rt Rev. Philip North, and the Rector of Morecambe Parish Church, Rev. Chris Krawiec.

Also in attendance on Monday evening will be Mr Kim Leong, Chairman of Lancaster and Morecambe Bay Chinese Community Association; The Right Worshipful, the Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Roger Dennison, alongside representatives of the RNLI; the Police, Fire and Ambulance Services and other civic dignitaries.

Monday’s service will include a reading, by Mr Kim Leong, of the names of all those who were lost 20 years ago.

A silent vigil will be held, and those present will also be invited to join in hymns and prayers, and will be offered a cockle shell to take away as a permanent reminder of the ongoing fight against modern slavery and of those who died that day.

The Mayor of Lancaster, Councillor Roger Dennison is inviting members of the public wanting to pay their respects to bring along candles and lanterns and said: “Our thoughts at this sad time are with the families of those who died in this terrible incident 20 years ago and also all others who have lost their lives over the years in Morecambe Bay. The tragedy was a stark reminder of the dangers posed by its treacherous tides.

"It's also a time to thank all those who bravely put their own lives at risk in the rescue operation, particularly the unpaid volunteers of the RNLI."

Candles will be available at the memorial from 5.45pm.

The deaths of the 23 Chinese people on February 5, 2004, highlighted the desperate plight of exploited migrant workers who often travel thousands of miles in the search for a better life.

It also confirmed the danger of Morecambe Bay and its shifting sands.

The Morecambe Bay cockling tragedy led to the government giving its backing to the Gangmasters Act, aimed at stamping out "cruel and evil" gangmasters.