Newbiggin RNLI welcomes the 200 anniversary scroll

The scroll signing event took place in the boathouse with four of the volunteer team signing on behalf of the station. The four volunteers were John Byan, Chairman of Newbiggin Lifeboat Management Group, Amy Fayers, Shop Manager, Anne Main, Fundraising Chair and Richard Martin, Water Safety Officer.

The pledge reads: ‘Whoever we are, wherever we are from, we are one crew, ready to save lives. We’re powered by passion, talent and kindness, like generations of selfless lifesavers before us. This is our watch, we lead the way, valuing each other, trusting each other, depending on one another, volunteering to face the storm together. Knowing that, with courage, nothing is impossible. That is what has always driven us to save every one we can. It's what makes every one of us a lifesaver.’

Beneath the pledge, printed in seven languages (English, Irish Gaelic, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Ulster Scots, Manx, and Cornish), it says: ‘Signed in 2024 by representatives of the RNLI’s lifesaving communities, on behalf of all who strive to save every one.’

Over the course of seven months, the five-metre-long scroll will pass through 240 RNLI locations around the UK and Ireland before finishing its journey in October at Douglas on the Isle of Man, which was home to the RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary. By this time, it will carry around 700 signatures.

The scroll has been made bespoke by RNLI craftspeople using materials of significance to the charity. The wooden handle has been made by a carpenter from the RNLI’s All-weather Lifeboat Centre in Poole (where the charity builds and maintains its all-weather lifeboats), using wood from an old flagpole from Ramsey lifeboat station on the Isle of Man. Apprentices from the RNLI’s Inshore Lifeboat Centre on the Isle of Wight have made the protective fibreglass casing and set the scroll spindles and accessories into the case.

Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director, who is overseeing the RNLI’s 200^th anniversary programmes, said: ‘The Connecting our Communities relay is one of the most significant events of the RNLI’s 200^th anniversary year as it’s all about our people. For 200 years, it is people who have made the RNLI what it is – from our brave lifesavers who risk their lives to save others, to the committed fundraisers and generous donors who fund our lifesaving work.

‘We asked our communities to express interest in participating in this event and we have been overwhelmed by the response – we’re thrilled to have representation from our stations, lifeguard units and fundraising branches across the UK and Ireland.

‘Everything about the scroll – from the design and materials to the wording printed on it and the locations it’s travelling to – reflects the communities we serve. By the end of the relay, we will have an important document which will become part of the charity’s history and a significant snapshot of the charity as it stands at 200 years old.’

Founded on 4 March 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has been saving lives at sea for 200 years. Since the charity was founded, the charity’s lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,000 lives.

Two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers, and the charity’s lifesaving reach and remit has also developed over the course of 200 years. Today, it operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, including four on the River Thames, and has seasonal lifeguards on over 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK. It designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.

While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.

Throughout its 200^th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to remember its important history and celebrate the modern lifesaving service it is today, while hoping to inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters.

Whilst at Newbiggin the scroll was brought along to a welcome at Newbiggin Maritime Centre where the former Newbiggin lifeboat 'Mary Joicey’ is proudly displayed. This lifeboat was operational at Newbiggin at the time of the 150^th anniversary of the RNLI. Among the many supporters at the station was George Dawson who was the last coxswain of the 'Mary Joicey' lifeboat, a retired volunteer who gave service to Newbiggin RNLI for many years.

Chairman of Newbiggin Lifeboat Management Group, John Bryan said: ‘The scroll is part of the RNLI’s commemorative events this year to mark their 200^th anniversary. In an Olympic Torch-style relay called Connecting our Communities, which started at Westminster Abbey, the specially made scroll is travelling around the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Hundreds of communities expressed their interest in hosting the scroll, and we are delighted that we have hosted the signing event at Newbiggin lifeboat station, in this, the oldest operational boathouse.’

People can follow the progress of the scroll on its journey around the UK on an interactive map at https://rnli.org/about-us/our-history/2024/programmes/connecting-our-communities

For further information about the RNLI’s 200^th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.

For more information, please telephone Richard Martin, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Newbiggin on 07980 010544 or [email protected] or contact RNLI Public Relations on 01202 336789

If you would like to find out more about Newbiggin lifeboat station, its volunteers and its heritage then take a look at the local website.

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.