Port council could take over icons

Ex-trawlermen were among those who attended this year's special service at the Goth Funnel Memorial in Fleetwood.

Volunteers behind the Lost Trawlermen Memorial outside the Asda store and the Fishing Community Memorial on the seafront near Euston Gardens have asked Fleetood Town Council to accept responsibility for both sites.

Their plea found support at a meeting of Fleetwood Town Council but members will make a final decision next month when they are sure that public liability insurance can be in place for the two locations.

Local historian David Pearce, who has been involved in both memorials, told the meeting: “ The only reason we are making this request is that we are all getting older and we want to try and ensure that they are looked after properly into the future.”

Coun Terry Rogers, chairman of the Town Council, said it was important to safeguard Fleetwood’s heritage if at all possible.

And Coun Norah Stuchfield said the volunteers deserved praise for their work over the years.

The Fishing Community Memorial, which represents equipment used on a traditional trawler was created in 1987 in the wake of the collapse of deep sea fishing from Fleetwood.

Mr Pearce, who is the secretary of the Goth Funnel Preservation Group, added: “We are very grateful to everyone who has helped to finance the project – particularly the organisers of the annual Fishermen’s Reunion event.

“Now we hope the Town Council will continue our work and keep these sites looking smart for future generations to learn something about the fishing heyday of Fleetwood.”