Edith Bellamy faithfully serving Llandudno RNLI for many years
99 next birthday and still supporting the RNLI’s 999 service. Mrs Edith Bellamy is desperately missing being able to work with her colleagues at Llandudno’s Lifeboat Shop due to the pandemic.
Volunteer, Edith Bellamy, misses helping her co-worker and friend Carol Lowndes at the shop, which is located in the town centre about a mile away from Llandudno’s new boathouse in Craig-y-Don with its Shannon class all-weather and D class inshore lifeboats.
Carol said 'Edith has been great company over the last few years when we have worked in the shop together. I think she is incredible for her age and I am in awe of the number of years she has supported Llandudno Lifeboat.
'For many years, when the lifeboat was located in the centre of town in Lloyd Street, it would pass the shop on its way to the launch site and the vibrations of the Talus tractor could be felt through the building as it pulled Llandudno’s then Mersey-class lifeboat, the Andy Pearce.'
Edith is the holder of the RNLI’s Silver Badge, Gold Badge, and a bar to her Gold Badge, having joined Llandudno Lifeboat Ladies Guild in 1965. She has held several positions of responsibility during that time including Treasurer for over twenty years and was latterly Vice-President.
Her late husband, Gordon, joined Llandudno Lifeboat Crew in 1954 and was Coxswain in 1961. He retired in 1970.
Deputy Launching Authority Alun Pari Huws said 'I got to know Edith a little better during my research for a book, published in 2018, about the history of Llandudno Lifeboat Station. Like Carol, I think she is a remarkable lady who has served the RNLI faithfully over many years.'
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.