
Love takes the plunge at Cromer RNLI
Love is in the air at Cromer lifeboat station. Volunteer shore crew members Neil Davies and Monika Lewandowska were married yesterday - 29 November in Norwich.
On their way back to the wedding reception in Cromer, attended by many of their fellow crew members, they stopped off at the lifeboat station for some wedding photos.
Neil and Monika both work at The Village Inn pub in West Runton owned by fellow crew member Lee Merritt.
Although they have known each other for over 18 years love blossomed five years ago and Neil has been part of the Cromer crew for five years. As well as being part of the shore crew, Neil is winch operator, tractor driver and head launcher.
Monika is new to volunteering at the station and recently passed out as shore crew but has her sights set on training for the all-weather lifeboat.
Monika said: ‘Having been woken up by the pager going off for many years, and with Neil’s support and encouragement it felt like a natural progression to start volunteering at the lifeboat station. It has been really exciting to join the crew and be part of the Cromer RNLI family.’
Cromer RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, Polly Clarke said: ‘We are delighted for Monika and Neil who are an invaluable part of the team and we wish them all the very best.’
RNLI Media contacts
For more information please contact Clare Stagg, RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected]
Key facts about Cromer RNLI
The Cromer Lifeboat Station was established in 1804 and was not taken over by the Institution from the Norfolk Shipwreck Association until 1857. Since 1923 there have been two lifeboats at Cromer, and currently there is a D Class inshore boat and Tamar all-weather lifeboat. The outstanding figure in the history of Cromer is Henry George Blogg who became a member of the Cromer crew in 1894 at the age of 18. He was coxswain from 1909-1947. During his 53 years as a lifeboat crew member, the Cromer lifeboats had been on service 387 times and rescued 873 lives. His record is without equal in the history of the Institution. No lifeboat crew member has received so many decorations for gallantry.
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 142,700 lives.
Learn more about the RNLI
For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.
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, Twitter 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.