Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat Week aims to be bigger and better than ever
Plans are being finalised for Lifeboat Week, one of the biggest summer attractions in Lyme Regis and a huge fund-raiser for the RNLI, the charity that saves lives at sea.
This year's event gets under way on July 27th, and the official opening will be performed by actor John Challis who played Boycie in the BBC TV hit series Only Fools and Horses.
All the old favourites are in the week's attractions...the bath tub race, tug 'o war across the harbour mouth and the spectacular Army parachute display team The Red Devils.
As usual there will be a mix of events to appeal to all ages, including the swimming challenge for adults and children, a fascinating birds of prey demonstration and a crab fishing competition for the youngsters.
One new attraction this year is a singalong version of the film Mama Mia ! being screened at the Marine Theatre. This event also includes a best Abba adult and youngster outfit.
Lifeboat Week is organised by the local volunteer fund-raisers, the Lyme Regis and Charmouth Lifeboat Supporters, with help from the lifeboat crew.
Chairman of the Supporters Ken Lavery said: 'At first there were lifeboat days but Lyme Regis has had an action-packed lifeboat week since the 1970s, and in recent years the event has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for our life-saving charity.
'On average the week raises between £30,000 and £35,000, and we are deeply grateful to visitors, residents and traders for their generous support.
'This year we believe we have a bigger and better event all round, and all we need for another great week is good weather.'
This year it is hoped to provide a detailed programme on-line and it will also be available at outlets around the town, including the lifeboat shop on The Cobb.
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.