by Rebecca Hannant
Plans are under way in Withernsea to create a lasting memorial and roll of honour following the tragedy on January 2.
Withernsea mayor Alex Camplin is hosting a community evening on Saturday March 21, bringing together representatives from across the town along with officials from neighbouring communities.
The event will replace the traditional civic reception usually held at the end of a mayoral year and will instead serve as a fundraiser to support a permanent tribute to local man Mark Ratcliffe and mother and daughter Sarah and Grace Keeling.
Cllr Camplin said she was inspired to create a lasting memorial after seeing the impact the tragedy had on the town in the weeks that followed, as well as the support shown by local people and those from further afield.
Alex said: “It felt heavy. Mark’s funeral provided some closure, but the town is still mourning.
“Following the events people have written to us expressing their condolences. Hornsea wrote to us, Filey wrote to us, and Jim Dick, the Lord Lieutenant, wrote as well.
“Everywhere I go, the first thing people ask is, ‘How’s the town?’
“The ripples have been felt everywhere. Some mayors have even mentioned they are looking at their water safety plans now because it could have been them.
“It was a tragic, freak accident, but we need to use it to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
She also spoke to Carol Ratcliffe, widow of Mark Ratcliffe, who said the family hoped to see a memorial bench installed.
Meanwhile, other fundraisers and initiatives have been taking place in the town to support the families and emergency services involved.
Cllr Camplin later learned that the emergency services were already arranging their own memorial bench.
Instead, she decided to work alongside St Nicholas Church chairman Darrin Stevens to create a candle-lighting station that will be installed inside the church.
Expected to cost around £4,000, it will be crafted from dark steel and designed as a place where members of the community can light candles in a sand-filled tray.
The design will feature a central brass plaque and subtle wave patterns along the sides to represent Withernsea’s coastline.
In tribute to the emergency services involved, the symbols of the RNLI, Coastguard and other services will also be etched into the metal.
The design will also include the words, “A community united in grief”, alongside the three names and a line from John 15:13: “There is no greater love than this, that someone lay down their life for their friends.”
The aim is to raise £4,000 towards the memorial, although some support has already been pledged by Holderness Lodge Masons, based on High Brighton Street in Withernsea.
Alex said: “I’m not a religious person, but I like lighting candles in churches.
“That’s the dream, but it costs between £3,000 and £4,000. If I can get half raised that night, it would be amazing.”
She also hopes to create a plaque on the seafront to remember those lost at sea, as well as a roll of honour recognising the emergency services involved in the rescue effort.
Cllr Camplin added: “I want a plaque on the seafront for everyone lost at sea, fishermen and others. They all deserve to be remembered.
“I also want a roll of honour for all the emergency services involved. We are making history now – this tragedy will be spoken about for years. I want someone on the RNLI in 20 years to show their grandkids and say: ‘That’s me.’
“We shouldn’t wait a hundred years to remember them; let’s do it in six months.”
The invitation-only event will take place at the Meridian Centre on March 21 and will include a raffle and opportunities to donate towards the memorial fund.