Dungeness Coxswain and Press Officer honoured by RNLI

On Sunday 10 September 2017, a large crowd braved the traditional Dungeness RNLI weather of wind and rain to attend the annual blessing and re-dedication service or the station's Shannon class lifeboat The Morrell. After the welcome speeches from Dungeness lifeboat chairman Peter Thomas and Lifeboat Operations Manager Roger Gillett, a moving service was officiated over by Canon Reverend Lindsay Hammond, Area Dean of Romney and Tenterden and the new vicar of Lydd the Reverend Chris Maclean. The lesson was read by Les Carter and as always, the music was beautifully played by the City of Canterbury Brass Band. During the service, a moving version of “Let not the deep swallow me up” was played by Dave Gower and sung by Christine Descher. .

Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Judith Richardson was awarded the excellence in volunteering award for her amazing 50 years’ service to the RNLI and to saving lives at sea. This was presented to her by the representative of Shepway district council David Owen. Judith started volunteering with the RNLI in 1967 aged just 20. She was accepted as a lady launcher with the lifeboat Mabel E Holland.

In 1977, she joined the fundraising committee and set up a small shop in the current boathouse when the Rother class lifeboat Alice Upjohn arrived on station. When the Mersey class lifeboat Pride and Spirit became the station lifeboat in 1996 Judith was instrumental in co-ordinating everything and ensuring the new lifeboat’s donors Eric and Jean Cass were kept informed and involved.

In 1998 Judith’s husband William Richardson retired as Coxswain and Judith stood down from fundraising and received a RNLI letter of thanks. In 1999 William became volunteer sea safety advisor and Judith was appointed as sea safety PR volunteer. Until 2006 they would spend their weekends and holidays out on the sea safety roadshow. In 2006 Judith was appointed Dungeness lifeboat volunteer Press Officer a role she continues to this day and attends every launch no matter what time of day or night.

Coxswain Stuart Adams was presented with a long service certificate and badge for his 40 years’ service by Lifeboat Operations manager Roger Gillett. Stuart joined Dungeness lifeboat aged 17 and served under Coxswain William Richardson. When William retired in 1997 the crew voted Stuart in as Coxswain. This year Stuart and the station celebrate his 20 years in the role. In 2002 Stuart also appointed lifeboat training co-ordinator.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Roger Gillett also presented a framed photograph of the station's Shannon class lifeboat The Morrell signed by the crew to the City of Canterbury Brass Band for their 30 years of providing the music for our blessing service and concerts during the year. Flowers from the station were also presented to Judith Richardson and to Coxswain's wife Lisa Adams from all at Dungeness RNLI

RNLI media contacts

· Simon Collins, Dungeness RNLI Volunteer Deputy Lifeboat Press Officer

07904 871756 [email protected]

· Tim Ash, RNLI Public Relations Manager (London/East/South East)
0207 6207426 / 07785 296252 /[email protected]

· Paul Dunt, RNLI Press Officer (London/East/South East) on 0207 6207416, 07786 668825, [email protected]

· For enquiries outside normal business hours, contact the RNLI duty press officer on 01202 336789

RNLI online: For more information on the RNLI please visit www.rnli.org.uk. News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available at the RNLI Press Centre.

Key facts about the RNLI: The RNLI is the charity that 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 over 230 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and has more than 140 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK. 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 137,000 lives.

Visit the RNLI's official YouTube channel for more films and follow our rescue stories on Twitter. A charity registered in England and Wales (209603) and Scotland C037736). Charity number CHY 2678 in the Republic of Ireland.

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

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, X, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

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.