Falklands : Future of Lighthouse Seamen's Mission Discussed at Informal Meeting
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 10.03.2008 (Article Archived on 24.03.2008)
Seventy eight hours a week is too much for one person but Betty and Howard Turner put in 156 hours between them.
FUTURE OF THE LIGHTHOUSE SEAMEN’S CENTRE DISCUSSED AT INFORMAL MEETING
By J. Brock (FINN)
An informal meal and meeting was held at the Seamen’s Centre on Friday evening to discuss the future of the Seamen’s Centre and to try and raise awareness of the dedication yet excessively long hours worked by its managers, Betty and Howard Turner.
The present body of five Trustees is currently reviewing the way the Lighthouse Centre functions and fulfils its original purpose. On Friday evening the help and expert views of representatives of the fishing and shipping industry, civic and local authorities, professional people and every day visitors to the Centre were expressed at the meeting.
After reviewing the Mission’s finances it was thought that even after clearing a profit this year, the outcome was not good enough in that Howard and Betty put in far too many hours to make it work. Each works 78 hours a week during the fishing season and 54 hours a week during the quieter months.
The main money-earner is the Cafe but it is also time consuming.
Though those attending the meeting did not wish to formally re-establish the Advisory Committee at this time they felt the one-off consultation would help point the way forward in obtaining more money and personnel for the Mission.
The Turners suggested that if a team were able to do the cafe they would be free for counselling and ministering for which they were both trained. If not, they were prepared to leave at the end of their contract.
Canvassing companies whose clients use the Mission to help raise money was one idea that seemed logical as corporate regular giving is not what it should be given the use of the Centre. Also there would be an approach to Government as the Mission is also used by their employees as well.
An update will be given later.
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