Memorial events will mark 20th anniversary of Morecambe Bay cockling tragedy

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Morecambe Bay cockling tragedy.

23 cockle pickers lost their lives on February 5, 2004.

The victims, from China, were drowned after being trapped by incoming tides while pickling cockles off the shore at Bolton-le-Sands.

The deaths highlighted the desperate plight of exploited migrant workers who often travel thousands of miles in the search for a better life and confirmed the danger of the Morecambe Bay and its shifting sands.

The Morecambe Bay cockling tragedy on February 5 2004, led to the government giving its backing to the Gangmasters Act, aimed at stamping out gangmasters and to safeguard the welfare and interests of workers in agriculture, horticulture, shellfish gathering.

This afternoon, at 3pm, there will be a service at the Cockle Pickers Memorial near the main Morecambe RNLI lifeboat station.

Members of the emergency services will attend including staff both past and present, some of whom were involved in the rescue efforts.

Then, in a separately organised event, a vigil will be held to mark the 20th anniversary at the cocklers' memorial close to RNLI Lifeboat Station on Morecambe Promenade, starting at 6pm.

Councillor Roger Dennison, mayor of Lancaster, is inviting members of the public wanting to pay their respects to bring along candles and lanterns.

Candles will also be available at the memorial from 5.45pm. The service will be led by the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Revd Philip North.

Yesterday a special event on the beach marked the 20th anniversary.

More Music commemorated with an event on Morecambe’s West End Beach.

This was followed by an event with music and food at More Music's home on Devonshire Road, featuring the Long Walk Chinese Ensemble and flautist and cook Guo Yue.

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