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Retirement triggers concern for port chaplain role

Andrew Turner
BBC News, Norfolk
Reporting fromGreat Yarmouth
Andrew Turner/BBC Peter Paine is far right wearing a blue polo shirt, has short white hair and a white goatee beard. Next to him in the centre of the photo is his wife Pat, who is holding a bouquet of yellow and pink flowers. She has shoulder-length grey hair, tinted glasses and is wearing a blue coat. On the left is Great Yarmouth mayor Paula Waters-Bunn, in full regalia. She has long auburn hair and is wearing glasses. They are standing under a blue gazebo, with the seafarers centre behind them.Andrew Turner/BBC
Peter Paine, with his wife Pat and the Mayor of Great Yarmouth Paula Waters-Bunn, marked his retirement after almost 30 years as port chaplain

A port chaplain has retired after more than 25 years service, prompting concerns no successor has yet been appointed.

Great Yarmouth's harbour has had a chaplaincy service almost continually since 1870.

At the retirement party for the Reverend Peter Paine, speakers paid tribute to his work and urged the Mission to Seafarers, a charity which supports crewmen and women, to recruit a new person.

Mission to Seafarers said: "We remain committed to supporting the spiritual and welfare needs of seafarers in the region."

Andrew Turner/BBC Henry Cator, wearing a blue jacket and lilac shirt, with a blue tie, decorated with arcs of yellow and blue in pattern across the design. He is clean shaven, has receding dark hair of medium length, and is wearing glasses. He is standing next to a blue gazebo where the retirement party had been held, and it bears the flag of The Mission to Seafarers.Andrew Turner/BBC
High Steward of Great Yarmouth Henry Cator said Mr Paine had given "the most amazing commitment" to the Mission to Seafarers

The High Steward of Great Yarmouth, Henry Cator, led a series of speeches paying tribute to Mr Paine.

He said of the chaplaincy service: "We've got to try and make sure it continues, but it's always a challenge to find people who want to have that commitment.

"Peter has given the most amazing commitment to the Mission to Seafarers for over 30 years.

"This mission is a testament to a community standing by its town, the seamen, and the visitors and its fishermen."

Mayor of Great Yarmouth Paula Waters-Bunn said the role was desperately needed within the community.

Richard Goffin, director of Peel Ports Great Yarmouth, paid tribute to Mr Paine's service: "We wish him the very best for a long, leisurely and well-earned retirement, and hope that the mission is able to secure a successor soon."

Andrew Turner/BBC Reverend Peter Paine is wearing a blue polo shirt, with the words Great Yarmouth Sea Farers Centre depicted embroidery, with the nautical semaphore flags marking each initial next to them. Peter has close cropped white hair and a white goatee beard. He is standing next to the River Yare, with the workshops of Alicat Workboats in the backdrop, with a crane and warehouse buildings. Peter is holding a cake, decorated, bearing the words: "sailing into retirement".Andrew Turner/BBC
Mr Paine said he always strived to meet the welfare needs of seafarers visiting Great Yarmouth

Steve Morgan, the Mission to Seafarers' regional director for Europe, said: "His commitment to maritime ministry has been invaluable. He has served those who work tirelessly at sea for the benefit of all of us."

Mr Paine said: "This is the best job. Out in the fresh air every day helping people who need help; praying with them; just being a friend to people who are so far away from home.

"It's not hard [but] it is onerous. You get called out all times of day or night, but that's part of the job."

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