St Nicholas Church in Harwich was filled on Tuesday as the community gathered to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
The special service celebrated the incredible history and ongoing dedication of the RNLI, with attendees including past and present crew members, RNLI volunteers, local dignitaries, and many supportive local residents.
The service was led by the Reverend Kirsty Emerson and the Bishop of Colchester, who together guided the congregation through a moving ceremony of remembrance and celebration. The atmosphere was filled with reverence and gratitude as the community honoured two centuries of lifesaving efforts.
The church resonated with the voices of local school children singing Amazing Grace, a moment that deeply touched everyone present. Harwich Sing, a local choir, delivered a powerful rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water, adding to the emotion of the service.
Peter Bull, the Lifeboat Operations Manager at Harwich, expressed his heartfelt thanks in his address: 'I would like to thank St Nicholas Church, the Vergers, the Bishop of Colchester, Reverend Kirsty Emerson, and Marie Snell at the Guildhall for all their help in the service of Remembrance and Celebration for 200 years of the RNLI that was held today,' he said.
He continued, 'I would also like to say a big thank you to Harwich Sing and especially the local schools who attended and sang with gusto and like angels, which made it a most memorable occasion. Thanks also to Autoprint for producing the orders of service. But a special thank you must go out to Graeme Richardson, who wrote the service, helped me along the way, and even played the organ at the service. But a BIG thank you goes out to everyone who attended and supported the event. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.'
The service was a poignant reminder of the RNLI's vital role in the community and a celebration of the brave volunteers who have dedicated their lives to saving others. As the RNLI marks this significant milestone, the support from the Harwich community and beyond continues to be a cornerstone of its success and longevity.
The RNLI, a charity that saves lives at sea, relies entirely on donations and the efforts of its volunteers. The service today was not only a tribute to its past achievements but also a call to the community to continue their support for this essential organisation.
Notes to Editor
The RNLI is the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Harwich RNLI is based on The Quay, Harwich. The lifeboat station was founded in 1829 and the volunteer crew use an all-weather Severn class lifeboat (ALB) The Albert Brown and B class lifeboat (ILB) Tierney, Harvey and Sonny Reid.
RNLI Media Contacts
For further information, please contact Adam Prescott, volunteer RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer 07881 286312
[email protected] or Clare Hopps, Regional Communications Manager
[email protected]
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.
