Ex-Wells Lifeboat Coxswain celebrates fifty-seventh Lifeboat service.
An estimated 600 people attended the 57th Annual Lifeboat Service on Wells Quay, which took place during Carnival Week.
The Annual Lifeboat service was instigated fifty-seven years ago in 1960 by then coxswain David Cox who is now ninety-one years old. He served aboard the lifeboat and has been to all the lifeboat services ever since, to read the poem about the lifeboats called “For Those in Peril”. The lifeboat chaplain, the Reverend Neil Woodruff, led the service and the address was given by the Rev Alan Elkins, arch-deacon and current rector of Wells Parish Church, from on board the all-weather lifeboat Doris M Mann of Ampthill.
The fishermen’s version of the 23rd Psalm was read by Coxswain Allen Frary. Crewmember Martyn Flitcroft and 2nd Coxswain Nicky King read the lessons. The closing prayers were given by David Saunders from The Friends.
The traditional seafarers’ hymns were accompanied by the Fakenham Town Band and led by the Churches Together choir. During the final hymn, Abide With Me, the inshore lifeboat went round to all the boats anchored in the harbour to take a collection while Guild members collected from those on the quay. As this was taking place the Mersey Class all-weather lifeboat did a circuit of the harbour sounding her siren before returning to the boathouse.
The total collection came to £1505.00 which goes to lifeboat funds.
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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