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Fowey RNLI lifeboat volunteers celebrate lifeboat week in style

Lifeboats News Release

Fowey RNLI Lifeboat Week launches on Sunday 28 July and runs until Sunday 4 August. The week is packed full of exciting events that lifeboat volunteers have been planning over the past few months.

Fowey RNLI

The week’s events start with the Polperro Wreckers singing on Fowey Town Quay on Sunday 28 July from 7pm.

The fun continues on Tuesday 30 July, with a quiz at the Safe Harbour in Fowey, from 8pm. On Wednesday 31 July, Fowey’s all-weather lifeboat will be open to visitors on the lifeboat pontoon and in the evening the Royal Fowey Yacht Club is hosting a charity auction accompanied by live music from Flynn and Slade and a fundraising BBQ on their waterside terrace. Non-members are welcome and tickets and further information are available direct from the club.

On Thursday 1 August, a new exhibition celebrating 165 years of Fowey’s lifesaving volunteers, opens in Fowey Town Hall. The exhibition 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, 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. Featuring interviews with current and past crew and rescue footage, a lifesize Arancia lifeboat, plus a 4ft working replica model of Fowey’s all-weather lifeboat and the winner of the children's lifeboat art competition. There is something for all the family to enjoy at the exhibition which runs from 1-4 August.

At 18:24 on the evening of Thursday 1 August, all the volunteer lifeboat crew and volunteers associated with Fowey lifeboat station will gather on the lifeboat pontoon for a ‘One moment, one crew’ photo. This will be replicated at lifeboat stations across the UK, where volunteers will take photos to commemorate 200 years of the RNLI, which was formed in 1824. The photos will be uploaded to a website and used to form a giant montage.

On Friday 2 August, the action hots up as Joey the Lips will be playing live on Fowey Town Quay with their 10-Piece Hi-energy Soul, Funk, Blues and Motown sound, from 7.45pm. The band are playing at the Fowey Lifeboat Week main event which takes place on Fowey Town Quay. Starting at 5pm the Fowey lifeboat will be moored on the Town Quay and will be open to the public for lifeboat tours followed by a lifeboat dedication ceremony at 6.50pm. The evening will continue with music, food and refreshments on the quay. The event finalè will be a spectacular firework display at 9.45pm, with fireworks being set off from a barge in Fowey Harbour.

On Saturday 3 August, it is lifeboat day at Fowey lifeboat station. Join the crew and volunteers for tours of the lifeboat from 11am, and visit the Water Safety team and the Coastguard. There will be a fender race in the harbour at 2pm (like duck racing, but with fenders!). Fenders will be available for people to decorate at the station, or you can bring your own. There will be a prize for the best decorated fender, and a prize of a power boat taster session for the under 16 and adult winners of the fender race. At 1pm there will be a demonstration in the harbour of a working model of Fowey’s all-weather lifeboat and the Grand Draw raffle will be at 3pm. Beer, Pimms, strawberries, cream scones and jazz music will make the day go with a swing.

The week ends on Sunday 4 August, with the final day of the Fowey lifeboat 165 year exhibition, which will close at 3pm.

Further event details are available here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1195421954784748

https://www.facebook.com/events/1525831131339386


Media are invited to attend the following events:

‘One moment, one crew’ photo, on Fowey lifeboat pontoon, Thursday 1 August 6.24pm.

165 Years of Fowey Lifeboat Exhibition at Fowey Town Hall Town Hall, Thursday 1 August – Sunday 4 August.

Music and fireworks event, Fowey Town Quay, Friday 2 August from 5pm.

Lifeboat Day, Saturday 3 August, 11 – 3pm.

Steve Duncombe

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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