Newbiggin Maritime Weekend Celebration for 200 years of the RNLI
The holiday weekend is providing a showcase to lifeboat heritage at Newbiggin as well as the wider RNLI 200 celebrations.
This weekend there are a variety of initiatives to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI including floral displays, events at the lifeboat station and a partner maritime event at the Newbiggin Maritime Centre.
St. Bartholomew's church flower festival welcomed everyone with their 'Around the world in 80 steps', a collection of floral displays throughout the church featuring countries from around the world. The display culminated in a unique floral design to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI befitting the volunteer rescue service that is known around the world.
A larger outdoor 200 display has been set up on the Central Parkway gateway plinth which is lavishly planted in a colourful carpet and complemented by the commemorative RNLI 200 sign.
The celebration events continued at the lifeboat station with their dedicated volunteers providing refreshments and an extended opening for the lifeboat shop as they welcomed many visitors.
During the weekend the 'Sea Womble' visited the station as part of his mission to raise funds for the RNLI. The message from the 'Sea Womble' was: 'I am looking to raise just £10 per RNLI Station in the UK and Ireland by swimming to or from as many of them as possible and not wearing a wetsuit. Thank you to those that have already helped me to support the Sea Womble.'
Finally the Newbiggin Maritime Centre hosted a number of maritime partners including the RNLI water safety team where safety advice and support was given. For this weekend the wider museum area, which displays Newbiggin's last offshore lifeboat Mary Joicey was given over to free admission that further enhanced the number of visitors.
The event concludes on Bank Holiday Monday and a warm welcome to the various venues is guaranteed.
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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.