Fowey lifeboat volunteers upcycle pontoon and transform into stage for RNLI 200
The volunteers at Fowey lifeboat station along with Fowey Harbour Commissioners have come up with an innovative idea for Fowey’s RNLI 200 celebration event on Friday 2 August. They are using an old pontoon that was due to be scrapped, and are upcycling it into a stage.
The volunteers organising the event didn’t have a stage for a live music performance by band, Joey the Lips on Fowey Town Quay. Fowey Harbour Commissioners stepped in and offered to let them have an old pontoon that was due to be scrapped, and the team are now busy upcycling it and transforming it into a stage.
The pontoon started life at the Pandora Inn, where it was used as an outdoor eating and drinking area for customers. It was replaced seven years ago and given to Fowey Harbour Commissioners, who towed it to Fowey, where it subsequently became home to a lifeboat crew member’s commercial fleet of diving vessels. Having had its second lease of life, it was due to be scrapped. Hearing that the volunteers from the lifeboat station were in need of a stage, Fowey Harbour Commissioners arranged to have it taken to Brazen Island in Polruan, where the transformation is taking place.
The volunteers are now asking people for old sails, which will be patchworked together to form a nautical themed canopy to crown the structure.
The 21/2 tonne stage will be craned onto Fowey Town Quay on Thursday 1 August, ready for the live music and firework event, on the evening of Friday 2 August.
The upcycled pontoon stage will form the centrepiece for the RNLI event which features lifeboat tours, live music by Joey the Lips at 7.45pm, an exhibition of 165 years of Fowey lifeboats and fireworks at 9.45pm in Fowey harbour.
Fowey Lifeboat Press Officer, Cathy Baillie said: ‘This year the RNLI is commemorating 200 years of saving lives at sea. At Fowey lifeboat station our volunteers wanted to hold a celebration to mark the event. We are extremely grateful to Fowey Harbour Commissioners for all their help with the stage. We'd also like to thank our sponsors, as the event would not have been possible without their generosity. Thank you to Horizon Architectural Glazing for sponsoring the firework display. Thank you to Platinum sponsors, Fowey Harbour Commissioners, Imerys and Toms Boatyard Polruan. And thank you also to Bristol Private Office Services, Four Turnings Garage, Mor Interiors, Niles Bakery, and Richards Fruit and Veg.’
Full details of all the events can be found at
https://www.facebook.com/events/1195421954784748 and
https://www.facebook.com/events/1525831131339386
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.