Coffee & cake raise funds for the RNLI
Weymouth RNLI lifeboat station annual coffee morning was held on Wednesday 13th November at the Weymouth Pavilion.
The morning was well supported with the crowd able to browse through a number of stalls selling; bric a brac, cake stall, handmade cards, photos of local scenes, guess the weight of the cake, lucky dip and many more whilst enjoying music provided by the Dorset Wrecks.
The main event of the morning was the drawing of the raffle for the painting 'Uphaullya' by Jan Nelson. The painting valued at £2,300, was won by former Weymouth lifeboat volunteer crew member Matt Green, with a further 6 prizes of prints of the painting also being drawn.
Matt said; 'I'm absolutely overjoyed at winning this amazing painting. I have often passed the Cove Gallery and admired Jan Nelson’s beautiful work. It reminds me so much of the exciting time had on the water with the RNLI during 2012. I was fortunate enough to be crew with the RNLI Olympic safety boat team for the events. The Olympic sailing was spectacular viewed from one of our Inshore Lifeboats. The picture really captures the feeling of having racing sails coming at you in their glorious colours. I feel very lucky indeed to have this to remember it by. '
Renowned Scottish artist Jan Nelson said: “It’s been a great privilege to be involved in raising funds for such a fantastic cause. As a sailor myself with strong Weymouth connections I know how important the RNLI is to the seafaring community and I am completely in awe of the work done the staff and volunteers. My painting ‘UpHaullya!’ is a nod to the Celtic me, and the Uphaul is the rope used to pull up the pole which the spinnaker is attached to - sailors will know!" I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who bought tickets and to all those involved in promoting the event to help to make it such a success.”
The painting has been on display for a number of months at the Cove Gallery, Trinity Rd. Weymouth with raffle tickets being sold all around the UK via the internet.
Paul Mooney, owner of Cove Gallery, said: “Jan Nelson is one of our most popular artists, and the raffle for ‘Uphaullya!’ has created a real buzz of excitement among visitors to the gallery. People have made special trips to Weymouth to ensure their name is in the draw, and we have also sold more than 800 online tickets to people located all across the UK. While there can only be one winner, we’re pleased to say that all raffle ticket holders can get a 10% discount at Cove Gallery on Jan Nelson paintings and prints up to the end of December”.
Editor’s notes: ‘Uphaullya!’ is an original acrylic painting on 1 metre square box canvas. Normal retail price would be £2,300.
In addition to the first prize of the original painting, 6 limited edition 72 x 72 cm giclée prints of Uphaullya! worth £200 each were donated as second prizes.
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.