Last weekend marked the 35th anniversary of the Herald of Free Enterprise disaster. A service of Remembrance was held to remember the tragedy.
On the 6th March 1987 The Herald of Free Enterprise on passage to Dover, carrying 430 passengers and 80 crew, capsized off Zeebrugge with the loss of 193 lives. In remembrance of the disaster, Dover’s Herald Wood was created in 1987 with 193 trees, which is located off the A2 near the Whitfield roundabout.
The service took place at St Mary’s with the address delivered by The Rt Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin, The Bishop of Dover. The service included a 2-minute silence to remember the tragedy and a roll call of all the names of those lost in the disaster.
The Herald of Free Enterprise disaster rocked our entire community across East Kent. I will never forget the shock I felt when I saw the first reports come in.
It is right that we come together to remember. I was very moved by speaking to the families of those lost, as well as those who helped with rescue and support work for the families. The Bishop of Dover gave a thoughtful and moving address where she reminded us all of the importance of remembering the good times we shared with our loved ones now gone, even amid our deepest grief.