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Margate’s lifeboat crew show off their Mambo dancing skills

Lifeboats News Release

Margate’s volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew recently took to the dance floor (the station’s boat hall) to demonstrate some ‘smart moves’ in support of the town’s ‘I Mambo Dance Project’.

Margate's lifeboat crew perform for the cameras (I Mambo Margate)

I Mambo Margate

Margate's lifeboat crew perform for the cameras (I Mambo Margate)

When local production company Round in Circles first invited Margate’s volunteer lifeboat crew to participate in its community dance project film I Mambo Margate, it was felt this special group of men and women who regularly face danger to save lives at sea may not perhaps find it their cup of tea – instead they relished the challenge.

After being shown the moves of the dance (made famous by films such as Dirty Dancing and West Side Story) by the real experts they put on a performance for the cameras. The dramatic backdrop of the town’s lifeboat and the crew’s protective clothing made a colourful scene for the film which premiered recently at Turner Contemporary next to the lifeboat station.

I Mambo Margate is a community dance participation film aimed at inspiring local pride in Margate and bringing communities together. It involved eight community groups in Cliftonville/Margate participating in three workshops where they were taught Mambo-inspired dance routines before being filmed.

Peter Barker, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, Margate Lifeboat said: “As a group we are somewhat out of sight behind our friends next door at Turner Contemporary, so this was a welcome opportunity to send the message to the public that we are your lifeboat and very much part of the local community. We still have to decide who will be named ‘rubber-legs’, snake-hips’ and ‘jelly-roll’ after more famous artists from the past and we thank the group and wish them well.”

ENDS

RNLI Media contacts

  • Peter Barker, RNLI Margate Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer 07974 064304 [email protected]

  • Paul Dunt, Regional Media Officer (South East), 0207 6207426, 07785 296252 [email protected]

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

The cast line-up on stage (I Mambo Margate)

I Mambo Margate

The cast line-up on stage (I Mambo Margate)
Rehersals for I Mambo Margate (I Mambo Margate)

I Mambo Margate

Rehersals for I Mambo Margate (I Mambo Margate)

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

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.

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