RNLI Stromness commemorates 150 year anniversary
Sunday 13 August saw the first in a series of events planned over the next two weeks to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the launching of the first Stromness Lifeboat on the 15th of August 1867.
A church service was held at the Stromness Parish church at 11:15, where the Velum commemorating the 150th anniversary was dedicated by the local minister John Butterfield.
Following this was the unveiling of the plaque by Former coxswain of RNLI Stromness Willie Sinclair, at the original lifeboat station at the south west end of the Stromness golf course. Stromness RNLI Chairman Wille Tulloch recounted the loss of the Albion, a vessel carrying passengers to America that wrecked on Graemsay in 1866, this loss of life lead to the establishment of the Stromness Lifeboat Station and the first lifeboat the Saltaire.
Thanks were given to those who all involved the the production of the plaque, including Tim Barthorpe for the information detailing the history, Ian Ashman for graphics, Colin Wishart for the construction of the plinth as well as his time and materials and Mark Wemyss for playing the Bagpipes at the ceremony.
Afterwards several Stromness RNLI members were presented awards for their service at the Stromness golf club.
2nd mechanic Norman Brass and 2nd coxswain Colin Mowat both received awards for 30 years of service.
John Banks former coxswain and Stewart Taylor Lifeboat Operation Manager were both awarded gold badges for service.
Gordon Riddle was presented a certificate of service.
RNLI Media Contacts: RNLI Stromness volunteer lifeboat press officer, Cal Harvey, 07715 437703
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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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