
A day of Remembrance for Newbiggin RNLI
Today on Remembrance Sunday Newbiggin RNLI volunteers joined the hundreds gathered for this special Sunday service.
Newbiggin RNLI Lifeboat Station volunteer team and Newbiggin Coastguards were part of a record number of people from other local organisations, charities along with members of the local community who took part in the annual Remembrance Service and Parade in Newbiggin by the Sea today.
After introductions by the Secretary of the Newbiggin branch of the Royal British Legion Newbiggin Mark Kelly the service was conducted by our local chaplain and lifeboat crew member Father Anthony O’Grady.
Following the two minute silence the wreath laying began with Northumberland Vice Lord-Lieutenant Keith Green laying the first wreath on behalf of His Majesty the King with many other wreaths laid including one from Newbiggin Lifeboat Station.
Launch Authority Les Fayers 'It was wonderful witnessing the large turnout at today’s Remembrance Service. The ceremony is about reflecting and honouring the sacrifices made by those who have fought for our freedom, while appreciating those who still safeguard us.'
The second world war at Newbiggin RNLI Lifeboat Station
Newbiggin's Women Lifeboat launchers are the most decorated in national lifeboat history receiving their celebrated vellums for bravery and valour in 1927 and again in 1940. The Eminent rescue on 6 February1940 was at a time during the second world war when many of the men of the village had left to be active in the war effort. It was the Women of Newbiggin lifeboat who dragged the lifeboat overland in a blizzard after the stormy sea tossed the lifeboat out of the sea after a first rescue attempt when it was realised that the only means of rescuing the stranded sailors was an overland launch and dragging it over treacherous rocks. Local media at the time recorded that the rescue was completed and the determination of ‘our women’ was once more rewarded with the presentation of their second ‘Thanks on Vellum’ from the RNLI. Indeed the London ‘Illustrated’, in 1941, led with the headline ‘Newbiggin breeds Britain’s toughest women’ for the record of being twice awarded a Vellum from the Institution for difficult launches, one being this dramatic overland launch.
Notes to editors
Newbiggin RNLI is based at Sandridge, Newbiggin by the Sea, Northumberland. The station was established in 1851 and currently operates an Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat
' Richard Wake Burdon.'
RNLI Media contactsFor more information please telephone Richard Martin, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer Newbiggin on 07980 010544 or [email protected], Clare Hopps, RNLI Regional Communications Manager, North and East on 07824 518641 or [email protected] or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.
If you would like to find out more about Newbiggin lifeboat station, its volunteers and its heritage then please 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.
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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.