Portpatrick RNLI Lifeboat Week 2017

This annual event is run entirely by the voluntary efforts of lifeboat crews and committee members from the Portpatrick area, plus many individuals and groups from the local community, and supported by local businesses and members of public.

The week started on Sunday 30 July with an open air church service on the harbour side followed by a display by the Loch Ryan Pipe Band on the shore front.

On Monday there was a children’s sandcastle competition on the beach, followed by Zumba with Dawn in the village hall for the more energetic visitors. In the evening a race night was held as entertainment for all age groups.

The lifeboat station was open on Tuesday for people to register for the ‘Portpatrick’s Got Talent’ competition. There was a good turnout for the Graham Mercer Memorial Fun Run at 3pm, with approximately ninety runners of all ages and abilities competing. In the evening a Family quiz was held in the village hall.

The Dunskey Golf Club was the venue for the Annual RNLI Golf Competition on Wednesday, whilst in the village there was a ‘Catch the Crab’ competition for children. The ‘Scruffs Pet Show’ was held in the village hall, the main classes being judged by Stranraer vet Steve Raphael. In the evening a pool competition was held between the lifeboat crew and challengers.

Thursday's programme started in the village hall with a kid's Fancy Dress Competition and Disco, a popular event run by the Roadrunner Children's Entertainer, followed by a 'Clubbercise' session run by DJACTIVE. In the evening the village hall was full for the increasingly popular 'Portpatrick's Got Talent' competition, whilst the Harbour House Hotel hosted the adult pub quiz.

On Friday morning a coffee morning was held in the village hall, and later that evening the popular Raft Race organised by the Rotary Club of Stranraer was run from the beach. Friday's events ended with a Dance for over 18's in the village hall from 9.30pm - late.

The final day's events on Saturday included a cliff rescue demonstration near to Euan's Playspace by local HM Coastguard volunteers, followed by an exercise involving the Portpatrick Lifeboat, RNLB John Buchannan Barr, and it's Y boat, a small rib craft that is launched from the lifeboat to access areas that a larger boat cannot reach. Unfortunately the HM Coastguard SAR helicopter was unable to join the exercise this year due to operational requirements.

The week ended with the traditional Crew Barbeque, raffle draw and fireworks display.

Portpatrick RNLI Crew and Committee would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way to make Lifeboat Week 2017 a continuing success.

Notes to editors

. For more information please contact Phil Bestjan, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07793 025793 or [email protected]

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

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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.