Hundreds gather to enjoy fantastic RNLI Torbay Seaside Special!

The Seaside Special day followed a series of fundraising activities which began on 1 August and included walk the extra mile, cover the flag, children's face painting, model lifeboats, quiz nights, coffee mornings, an angling contest with 36 entrants (1) and daily lifeboat tours – a mammoth fundraising effort by the Torbay team!

And that was all before the big day itself, which began with 76 competitors (including Stormy Stan!) registering for the annual ‘Two Lighthouse Run’ (along the breakwater to Brixham lighthouse, then up to Berry Head Lighthouse before returning). (2)

Visitors to the boathouse area found a wonderful variety on offer from food, craft and retail stalls, activities to try - such as canoeing and water ball challenge - and waterboard, wakeboard, flyboard and jet ski displays.

The RNLI Torbay Community Safety team were on hand to offer advice on staying safe in and around the water, and visitors were kept entertained by Bollywood dancers, live music performances and shanty singers as well as RNLI favourite Stormy Stan amusing the crowds.

Beautiful vintage lifeboats Oniros and Duke of Cornwall were moored at the lifeboat pontoon, and the WAGs Tea Room, Ron’s BBQ and a licensed bar kept everyone fed and watered. The Pedalo Grand Prix (3) saw 18 teams of four battle it out in the water, with competitors going in circles due to faulty rudders, a spectacular capsize by team Passing Wind (soon rescued by the safety boat), broken pedals used as oars - and Brixham’s resident seal Sammy popping up to referee!

Torbay all-weather and inshore lifeboats were joined by the Teignmouth lifeboat The Two Annes for a stunning search & rescue demonstration at 5pm watched by hundreds of spectators lining the breakwater and beach; the demonstration included an ‘un-manned’ spiralling small vessel being recaptured using a rope strung between two lifeboats …

Following the demonstration, dozens of sponsored toy ducks were launched from the all-weather lifeboat, with the winning four individuals super-excited to be pressing the ‘start’ buttons on the fireworks display later. (4)

Fishermen’s Mission Superintendent Matt Skinner led a moving service of dedication below the boathouse at 6.30pm, accompanied by the wonderful Brixham Town Band. Following the service, supporters continued the annual tradition of purchasing candle lanterns to settle on the breakwater or beach as dusk fell to await the Grand Firework Display.

As evening fell, 150 guests set sail on a tickets-only cruise aboard local vessels Dart Princess and Western Lady to enjoy an atmospheric voyage around Torbay with delicious canapes served by the lifeboat crew, before an exhilarating surprise ‘fly past’ by the Severn Class Alec & Christina Dykes all-weather lifeboat at close quarters!

Live music continued on the stage, and the evening ended with a truly spectacular Grand Firework Display (kindly sponsored by local company Inter-Line Building Supplies) which rounded off a long but perfect day.

The RNLI Torbay team wish to thank everyone who helped make this wonderful day a rip-roaring success – all competition winners’ details will be shared on the RNLI Torbay Facebook and Twitter pages, along with lots of wonderful photographs of the day.

Notes to editors

1) ANGLING COMP WINNER: Matt Brooks with a 1lb 5oz mackerel!

2) 2 LIGHTHOUSE RUN WINNERS:

Overall 1^st: Jurriaan de Rouw; 2^nd: Sean Ingham (Crew Member) and 3^rd: Adam Taylor

1^st Female: Silvia Morris

1^st Junior: Sam Barnaby (son of Crew Member)

3) PEDALO GP WINNNG TEAM: Brixham Sea Anglers: Tim Clyburn, Adam Slack, Joseph Caunter and Maitland Criddle (son of Crew Member)

4) FIREWORK STARTERS: Geoff Cole, Jamie Harvett, Jenson Booth & Joan Coysh

RNLI TORBAY TEAM WISH TO THANK EVENT SPONSORS:

Inter-Line Building Supplies Ltd

The Brixham Steam Packet Company

Bloor Homes

Brixham Trawler Agents Ltd

AND:

the Blue Sea food company : Mifsuds : Boyce Brixham : darby & darby : Cards 2 Confetti : Gliddon Ford : Latitude Clothing : Amy Stanford Photography : T & I Stockman : Ron Campion Interiors : Broadway Pharmacy : Brixham Bait & Tackle : Goldstar Leisure : Adams Gas Heating Ltd : Bradleys Estate Agents : Richard Blake Estate Agents : Hammer & Nails : Ocean Mini Torbay : St Lukes & Greenswood Medical : Caterfood : Berry Head Hotel : RAGE : Breakwater Bistro

Torbay Lifeboat Station Key Facts:

• Torbay lifeboat station has been operating since 1866. To learn more about the station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/torbay-lifeboat-station
• Coxswain of Torbay Lifeboat is Mark Criddle
• Further information on Torbay Lifeboat Station’s local activities can be found at: http://www.torbaylifeboat.co.uk/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rnlitorbay
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RNLITorbay

RNLI media contacts

For more information please telephone Victoria Bowen, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer on 07794 043 428 - [email protected], or contact Amy Caldwell, RNLI Public Relations Manager (South) on 07920 818 807 - [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations 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.

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