Good turnout for Wells RNLI lifeboat carol service
Christmas well and truly arrived in Wells-next-the-Sea when carols and the festive spirit filled the air on Sunday 11 December, even though the mild weather wasn’t exactly seasonal.
Around 150 people gathered for Wells RNLI's annual Lifeboat Carol Service. A ‘must’ now on the local Christmas calendar, it was started by former Lifeboat Chaplain, Tony Douglas, eight years ago and is held annually at the boathouse.
The lifeboats were moved outside to make way for the congregation and the boathouse was decked out with fairy lights and a large Christmas tree.
Lifeboat Chaplain Neil Woodruff led the service and gave the blessing. The Fakenham Town Band accompanied the carols, which were led by the Wells Churches Together choir. Lifeboat Chairman Peter Rainsford, Coxswain Allen Frary, Operations Manager Chris Hardy and Crewman Martyn Flitcroft read the lessons and the Rev Alan Elkin of St Nicholas Church gave the address.
Afterwards, the congregation was treated to mince pies and hot drinks courtesy of the Lifeboat Guild. The collection, which will go to RNLI lifeboat funds, raised £326.
RNLI media contacts
- John Mitchell, Wells RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, on tel 01328 710882, mobile 07831 103166, email [email protected].
- Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]
- For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.