Bude RNLI celebrate record breaking Lifeboat Weekend

Looking ahead to 2017, the station’s fundraising volunteers are looking to recruit a new team to make next year’s event even bigger, hosting an Open Evening on Friday 25 November at the lifeboat station where people can come along to find out more.

Michael Walker, Chair of Bude RNLI Lifeboat Weekend 2016 was delighted to lead the team who organised the three day event over the August Bank Holiday; he says the success was due to a number of factors;

‘Such a lot of hard work, over the whole year goes into making Lifeboat Weekend a success, with all corners of the local community helping to bring it all together.

This year, we were blessed with good weather for the whole weekend which really helped draw in the crowds, we also had a few added attractions, such as an all-weather Mersey class lifeboat moored up in the canal for visitors to look round, and the Red Arrows did a fly past, which is always a hit.

Alongside these were the traditional Bude Lifeboat Weekend attractions, including; pipe bands, town bands, pasty competition, a lobster draw, rowing race, a duck race on the canal, face painting and a kids disco, treasure hunt on the beach, a bouncy castle, quiz nights and an auction, Stormy Stan, food and gift stalls, the lifeboat station was open to the public and a fireworks display on the Monday night.

I’d like to thank everyone involved for all their hard work, and also the local community who year after year, come along and support us, it wouldn’t work without you.’

The fundraising team at Bude RNLI are now looking to recruit a whole new team of volunteers to help organise next year’s Bude Lifeboat Weekend and other events throughout the year. They are hosting an Open Evening at the lifeboat station in Summerleaze Car Park on Friday 25 November between 6-8pm for anyone interested to come along.

The Committee are looking for some fresh ideas and some fresh energy to breath some life into many of the regular events they host over the year including Lifeboat Weekend, but also to come up with new and exciting ways to engage the public in the important work of the crew and raise essential funds to ensure they have the training and equipment they need to do their lifesaving work.

There are lots of interesting roles to fill, including the role of Chair and Press Officer, but they are also interested in hearing what skills people have and what they can offer the group.

Commitment is flexible depending on individual’s circumstances, but anyone looking to get involved in their local community meet some new people and to put their skills to good use, or even to learn something new, the committee would love to meet you.

Guests can come along on the 25^th, have a tour of the lifeboat station, get up close to the lifeboat and meet the crew, chat to the volunteers who make Bude RNLI run and enjoy mulled wine and carols sung by sea shanty group The Bencoolen Wreckers. The shop will also be open for gifts and Christmas cards.

Parking will be free in Summerleaze Car Park.

• Please find attached some pictures of Bude Lifeboat Weekend 2016 credit Robin Bale

For more information please contact Amy Caldwell, RNLI Public Relations Manager at [email protected] or 07920 818 807

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.

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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.