MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

2005 is year of the Sea.

ISLANDERS are being encouraged to use 2005 to celebrate the sea and its importance to the Falklands, in conjunction with a year-long festival known as SeaBritain 2005.

SeaBritain 2005 is all about promoting a greater awareness of maritime and coastal heritage and encouraging an appreciation of the sea and its environment, as well as celebrating Britain's historic, traditional and contemporary relationship with the sea.

"These aims are equally appropriate to the Falklands and I am very pleased that the Museum and National Trust will be the coordinator of events in the Islands," says Museum Manager, Leona Roberts.

SeaBritain 2005 is an initiative of the Greenwich National Maritime Museum, in partnership with Visit Britain, the Official Nelson Commemorations Committee and more than 80 other organisations, with the support of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

"The Year of the Sea is a great opportunity for us to celebrate being Islanders. Just about every important moment in the Falklands' history has involved the sea - from discovery and settlement to the development of our economy, from travel and shipping to recreation, to our wildlife and natural environment. The sea influences all of our lives every day."

The Trust is planning to organise a whole range of events and festivities for 2005, but are keen to hear suggestions from anyone in Stanley or Camp, and from any companies or organisations that would like to be involved.

The Museum and National Trust is planning an exhibition in the autumn and hopes that as many residents as possible will contribute: "This exhibition will not be about the Museum, we are simply the organisers and we intend this to be a community project," says Leona. It is hoped that the exhibition will include everything from art and craft work (any medium) inspired by the sea, and photography, to random maritime items ? such as beach drift, pieces from shipwrecks or mementos of sea voyages. You are also invited to write what the sea means to you ? in your own words, or quoting a song, piece of music, poetry or a passage from a book.

"FICS art students have already produced some tremendous work for the display in a whole range of mediums and this will be displayed at the exhibition. "People should think about what the sea means to them personally and how living on an island affects everyday life in the Falklands, remembering other aspects such as the coastline, rivers and streams, wildlife, boats and shipwrecks, or buildings that are sea-related (lighthouses or bridges for example)." But it's not just the artistic side that the Museum is looking for, also wanted are photographs of vessels, old and new, that have connections with the Falklands: "...memories of swimming horses to outer islands, of waiting for mail-boats or travelling on the A-Boats; tourism; wildlife; fishing - the list is endless!" Where necessary, the Museum will provide background information to accompany the display items and will also be looking to interview individuals with strong maritime connections and record their memories.

"Most aspects of Falklands' life have involved the sea in one shape or form and we would like to see all this reflected in an exhibition that sums up just what it means to be an Islander," says Leona.

The exhibition is planned for March/April, so your contributions should be in by the end of February. More information will be publicised shortly, but contact the Museum for more information. All items contributed will be returned to their owners.

Admiral Lord Nelson

The 200th anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar is at the heart of SeaBritain 2005 and was the inspiration for the entire programme. Although it may seem unlikely, the Falklands do have a connection with Admiral Lord Nelson. In a short autobiographical work, Nelson himself wrote that one of his reasons for wanting to join the Royal Navy in 1771 was the Falkland Islands.

In 1770 the Spanish had forcibly ousted the Royal Naval garrison from Port Egmont on Saunders Island. News of this caused an outcry in Parliament, so much so that the possibility of war with Spain became imminent. Fortunately the affair was resolved, with Port Egmont being restored to Britain. However, the incident had fired the imagination and enthusiasm of young Horatio, who joined the Royal Navy as a 12 year old midshipman the following year. Nelson later served in the Arctic on board HMS Carcass - as in Carcass Island; the ship had been in the Falklands during 1766.

As part of the year's festivities, the Museum is planning to organise a Trafalgar Dinner to mark the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Britain's greatest naval hero.

A great many events are planned all over Britain during 2005 - such as the International Festival of the Sea in Portsmouth. If you are going overseas next year and would like more information, please contact the Museum.(PN)