FILM-MAKERS VISIT MORECAMBE LIFEBOAT STATION
A group of North Lancashire film-makers have sought assistance at Morecambe Lifeboat Station; but there’s no emergency – it’s all in the cause of documenting the resort’s heritage.
‘LuneTube’ are a group of film-makers and history enthusiasts, who devote their spare time to producing short films about the heritage of North Lancashire. They release their work online and have attracted over 30,000 views since launching in September.
The team have already documented everything from the Ashton Memorial in Lancaster, to an iconic red telephone box in Priest Hutton. They’ve found treasure on Morecambe Promenade and traced the history of the resort’s cinemas. They delight in uncovering arcane and obscure stories from local history.
The latest film focuses on Poulton-le-Sands; the village which pre-dates the growth of the town of Morecambe. It marks the LuneTube debut of presenter Peter Wade; a local historian well known for his guided walks in the district.
The team sought the help of the RNLI, to film a piece of art which is now housed in Morecambe Lifeboat Station. A pebble mosaic; once displayed in the now closed Bradford & Bingley Building Society on Euston Road, was gifted to the RNLI in 2001. It isn’t usually accessible to the public, as it hangs in the station boat room, but the LuneTube team were given special access.
LuneTube Director Janine Bebbington said, “the mosaic is rather wonderful, as it shows a map of the old village of Poulton, made entirely of pebbles.”
“This tied-in beautifully with our film, which reveals how the buildings in Poulton were often made from stones from the beach. We are very grateful to the RNLI for granting us access to the mosaic, as it’s a fascinating piece of art and one which is fondly remembered by many locals.”
Colin Midwinter, RNLI Morecambe Lifeboat Press Officer takes up the story, “'We were grateful to receive the mosaic from Bradford and Bingley; acknowledging our standing within, and contribution to, the life of our community. As custodians of this little piece of local history, it not only decorates our boat-room but also provides a useful point of interest, and discussion, for the nearly 1000 local people, children and adults, who visit our lifeboat station each year.”For more information and to watch the film, visit www.lunetube.co.uk
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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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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