Adopt A School

Your Branch of the Merchant Navy Association should take the opportunity to put something back into the local community and at the same time, encourage a career in a maritime related activity. Awareness of our maritime and coastal history plus recognition of its contribution to the development of our Nation should be on every curriculum.

Volunteers are sought so we could form a national database of good speakers that are able to communicate with the media and press as well as their local communities and interest groups. Maybe being a guest speaker at the school or the Probus club. There are plenty of opportunities to promote recognition of merchant seafarers in your local community. Perhaps link up with other Veteran’s groups and local events or involve schools in your parades.

Part of the MNA Business Plan addresses a perceived ‘gap’ in the education of our maritime heritage and the way we transfer knowledge from one generation to the next. We must encourage an interest and a sense of belonging that develops positive outcomes for all who are willing to listen…take away the rear of the unknown.

Aims of our programme·
1: To stimulate children’s minds by recounting real life experiences…living history.
2: To raise awareness of historical events through a maritime perspective.·
3: To raise the profile of all the seafaring job opportunities.
4: To better define the economy of the UK in terms of shipping and the carriage of goods by sea. Do they know that 95% of goods still arrive by sea, even what they are wearing?

To be achieved by·
- All members and their supporters, both ashore and afloat
- Our war veterans who have their own ‘take’ on history
- National and local programmes of awareness wherever we can
- Promotional leaflets, videos and general information sheets
- Special web pages on the revised Red Duster site
- Promotion in our Full Ahead quarterly magazine
- Networking with our external contacts, parades, meetings
- Press and media campaigns

Progress to date and the way forward·
- Motion passed at the 2002 AGM for Branches to take this initiative forward in their local communities - International and external distribution of leaflets in 2002 and 2005 and 2006
- Support packages for Branches including a variety of excellent videos. These cover seaborne experiences from the 40’s to the present day.
- Website development and expansion of sites
- Liaison with Thetford Grammar who specialise in wartime history related to their ‘old boys’
- Preferred linkages with Sea Vision, Heroes Return, BBC Peoples War, SeaBritain 2005/06, Trinity House, Marine Society and others
- Discussions with London Nautical School and other schools and Colleges plus more Government contacts in relation to national events