Open day visitors boost funds for Angle lifeboats
RNLI Angle's £2.7m Tamar class all-weather lifeboat was a star attraction at its Bank Holiday Sunday (29 May) open day, when nearly £1,000 was received for the lifesaving charity.
Visitors from as far away as the Midlands and South of England toured the state-of-the-art lifeboat, Mark Mason, and also the centre of attention was the station's D-class inshore lifeboat, Richard John Talbot Hillier.
In the crew room, with its breathtaking views over the Milford Haven Waterway, there were RNLI souvenirs on sale, as well as refreshments and a raffle competition, and a big hit with children was RNLI mascot Stormy Sam (Volunteer Crew Member Nathan Mounter).
A sea safety display was manned by Lifeboat Sea Safety Officer Max Jones and Sea Safety Volunteers Jeanette Jones and Ian Hutchinson, with visitors having the opportunity to have lifejackets checked and receive safety advice.
An impressive display of radio-controlled models was shown by Trevor Davies, of Pembroke; Chris Parr, a former volunteer crew member at RNLI Fishguard, and Dave Evans, a member of the RNLI's West Bromwich and Wednesbury branch. The models included Pembrokeshire all-weather lifeboats, as well as a motor torpedo boat, UK Border Agency vessel, a landing craft, air boat, and a tank transporter and tanks.
As visitors toured the boathouse, meeting crew members and RNLI lifeguards, they saw many reminders of the station's long and proud history dating back to 1868, when the first lifeboat Katherine, a 10-oared self-righter, went into service.
A welcome and thanks to all was extended by Lifeboat Operations Manager John Allen-Mirehouse.
The takings on the day were: teas, £179.50; raffle, £145.23 and bucket collections, £107.24, making a total of £431.97. In addition, the RNLI souvenir stall made £262.90 and the station also received a cheque from new Shore Crew Volunteer Lee Smith, who raised £250 from sponsorship in a charity event.
* Later that night, Angle's inshore lifeboat was launched, at the request of Milford Haven Coastguard, to assist in locating a missing 30 foot yacht, which had earlier reported engine problems and was believed to be making her way to Dale. The lifeboat launched at 12.35am and was on scene off Dale at 12.52am to begin a search of the area.
Ten minutes later, however, the Coastguard told the ILB crew that the missing yacht had been located off Caldey Island and was to be assisted to a safe anchorage by Tenby all-weather lifeboat. The Angle lifeboat was stood down to return to her station.
RNLI media contacts
For more information please telephone Ted Goddard, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Angle, on 01437 763675 or Danielle Rush, Media Relations Manager (Wales & the West) on 07786668829 or 01745585162 or by email: danielle_rush@rnli.org.uk or RNLI Public Relations on 01202336789