Sea Wheeling in the North East Region
Tony McAvoy, the AOS North East Regional Co-ordinator, writes about David Savage's passage through the diocese as part of his epic bicycle ride in support of the AOS:
Mindful of the great assistance given to AOS Trustee David Savage by colleagues and supporters throughout the UK during his epic bike ride, the north east AOS team were very keen to ensure that this was continued when he came into the diocese during the afternoon of Saturday 6th November.
Members of the AOS travelled from various parts of the diocese/region. Upon arrival in Berwick, and following an invitation from Fr Brendan Kelly, the parish priest at Our Lady and St Cuthbert, and Maura Flannigan the AOS Parish Contact, they all gathered at the presbytery to await David’s arrival which occurred exactly upon time at 4.30pm. Tea and cakes were served while David gave an update of that day’s cycle ride down from Edinburgh, and talked of the many places he had visited, and the wonderful welcome and support he had been given wherever he had been.
David Savage - "Today I am in Berwick upon Tweed'
The AOS Delegation comprised: Tony McAvoy (Chaplain Tees & Hartlepool), Paul Atkinson (Chaplain Blyth & Tyne) and his wife Katheleen, Maura Flannigan (Parish Contact and Ship Visitor Port of Berwick), Sister Mary Scholastica and Juliana Henderson (Ship Visitors Port of Sunderland), Terry Patchett (Ship Visitor, Port of Tyne), Jimmy Ross (Ship Visitor North Tees) and his wife Eileen.
At 6.30pm all moved into the church for the evening Mass, when David was able to speak after the Gospel and give the parishioners an outline of the ride so far, and also highlight the work of the AOS throughout Great Britain. Various AOS promotional items had been displayed in church adding to what David had to say.
At the end of Mass, Tony McAvoy, NE Regional Co-ordinator, was able to say a few words of thanks to Fr Kelly and the parishioners, and to thank David and to welcome him formally into the diocese of Hexham & Newcastle and the north east region as a whole. He also paid tribute to those volunteers who had travelled to Berwick plus those who were not present on this occasion but who play such a vital part in our ministry to seafarers.
After Mass, David spent time chatting with parishioners. Later, Fr Brendan joined the AOS group, David and his support driver Terry for dinner.
Sunday 7th November was to be a rest day, but only after David had spoken at both the 9.00am and 10.30am Masses. Following this Maura Flannigan kindly spent time showing David around the historic town of Berwick.
On Monday 8th November David continued his journey southwards to the Port of Blyth, where an equally good welcome awaited him.
A special evening Mass had been arranged by Fr Philip Quinn at the parish of Our Lady and St Wilfrid, and despite the severe weather conditions around 50 parishioners joined Port Chaplain, Paul Atkinson and AOS Trustee Mgr Ronnie Brown in welcoming David on this stage of his epic bike ride.
After Mass parishioners gathered for refreshments in the church hall and listened attentively as David circulated among them and talked of the ride and of the work of the AOS locally and nationally.
Later, David together with his support driver Terry and Paul joined Fr Quinn for dinner.
On Tuesday David continued on the penultimate leg of his cycle ride moving into the diocese of Middlesbrough. He arrived first at Teesport, then at Bridlington before cycling the final leg back to Hull, his original point of departure, arriving on Thursday
11th November.
Tony McAvoy
AOS North East Regional Co-ordinator