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Fowey RNLI hosts 165 years of Fowey lifeboats exhibition

Lifeboats News Release

Fowey lifeboat station volunteers are putting on an exhibition celebrating 165 years of the station’s lifesaving history. The exhibition is being held in Fowey Town Hall and will be open from 11am daily from Thursday 1 August until Sunday 4 August.

Nigel Hall

The exhibition, which will also celebrate the 200th anniversary of the RNLI charity, will feature photographs of the station’s fascinating past, many of which have not been seen by the public before. From its beginnings at Polkerris in 1859, with wooden rowing lifeboats and cork lifejackets, right through to the modern day era. People will be able to find out about the dramatic rescues of bygone years and how different life was for the lifeboat crew of the past.

The exhibition will feature interviews and videos with current and past crew members and dramatic rescue footage and photos. There will be a lifesize Arancia lifeboat for those all important selfies, plus a 4ft working replica model of Fowey’s all-weather lifeboat. People will be able to see the full crew kit and find out about what it is like to be an RNLI lifeboat volunteer.

There will be RNLI merchandise on sale and links to download the new RNLI Storm Force game. A specially commissioned picture of one of the very first Fowey lifeboats will be on display, with limited edition prints available. And the winner of the local children’s lifeboat art competition will also be on display.

Fowey lifeboat press officer, Cathy Baillie said: ‘As we were making plans to celebrate 200 years of the RNLI in Fowey, it seemed appropriate to also celebrate the history of our own station. This is the first time the station has put on a display like this and we have gathered a huge amount of fascinating material, with photos of the people who have been at the heart of Fowey RNLI going back through the generations, plus images and anecdotes from those who have volunteered and supported the charity over its 165 year history. We hope as many people as possible can come along to find out more about our amazing Fowey RNL lifeboat story’.

Fowey RNLI

Jonathan Barker

Fowey RNLI

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.

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