RNLI Penarth and Barry Dock lifeboat stations united for Poppies to Paddington

The RNLI is proud to be part of this year’s operation, organised by Great Western Railways (GWR) in partnership with The Veterans Charity to mark Remembrance Day 2024. Now in its fifth year, this initiative – which began during the pandemic and has since become a memorable tradition – unites communities across England and Wales in remembrance. Wreaths are placed on trains bound for London Paddington, symbolising a shared tribute to the armed forces.

Volunteers from both lifeboat stations gathered at Cardiff Central Station to hand over two carefully crafted poppy wreaths to GWR staff. The wreaths travelled on the 08.12am train to London Paddington, and on arrival, were to be laid at Paddington station’s war memorial on Platform 1 ahead of a special service of remembrance.

The wreaths represented the collective effort of volunteers across the RNLI and members of the wider community. Barry Dock RNLI Water Safety Officer Lee O’Brien had organised a call-out to the community for crocheted and knitted poppies, which were assembled into a wreath by Sully Causeway Water Safety Officer Ann Gripton.

Laurie Pavlin, President of Penarth Lifeboat Station, led the tribute at Cardiff Central Station, and was joined by Nicky Anderson, Atlantic 85 and D class crew at Penarth, Lee O’Brien representing Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, and Standard Bearer Jim Lock who earlier this year received his Long Service medal for 50 years’ service to the RNLI.

Laurie said: ‘It was an honour to represent our lifeboat stations and the wider community in this meaningful act of remembrance. The Poppies to Paddington event provided us with a unique opportunity to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service, and we’re proud to have been part of this powerful journey.’

As both an RNLI crew member and a member of the emergency services, Nicky Anderson was proud to support the Poppies to Paddington initiative and commented:

‘This important event honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice and those who still serve today. We are reminded of their courage, dedication, and resilience. The wreaths will be a tribute to those past and present who have committed themselves to the safety and protection of others. By coming together for this event, we’re not only remembering history but also reinforcing the strong sense of unity and purpose shared.’

The RNLI’s participation in Poppies to Paddington holds a special resonance as the charity’s connection to the armed forces and acts of courage during wartime are woven into its history. Lifeboat crews continued to save lives throughout both World Wars, and many of today’s RNLI volunteers and staff are current or former service personnel.

Dave Phillips, a crew member at Barry Dock RNLI and former Royal Navy serviceman who attended the memorial service at Barry Cenotaph yesterday, reflected on the significance of the day: ‘When I signed up as a 17-year-old, I was at the start of my journey but honoured to be joining a long tradition in the Royal Navy. When I joined the RNLI after leaving the Navy, I joined another organisation built on the courage and service of those who had been before.

Remembrance keeps their memory alive and honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I’ll be thinking of them all this Remembrance Day as I meet with fellow veteran friends to remember them.

'A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed their time and skills to create wreaths as symbols of our shared respect. This joint effort highlighted the unity and dedication of RNLI volunteers across the Vale and underscores the strong community support for both lifeboat stations as together, we act as one crew to keep our coastline safe.'

Notes to editor :

Photo credit: Nick White, Penarth Lifeboat Press Officer

Photo 1: The lifeboat party await the train at Cardiff Central Station.

Photo 2: Group from Penarth and Barry Dock Lifeboat Stations - Rev Mark James, Laurie Pavlin, James Lock, Nicola Anderson, Lee O Brien, Anne Gripton and Warrant Office Robert Govier.

Photo 3: Dave Phillips, Barry Dock RNLI crew member and former Royal Navy serviceman at the Barry Remembrance Service.

To learn more about Penarth Lifeboat Station please visit: https://www.facebook.com/RNLIPenarth

· Barry Dock Lifeboat Station has been saving lives since 1901, and in July 2024, the station opened its new state-of-the-art facility.

· The RNLI Visitor Experience, opened in 2017, was one of the UK’s first RNLI drowning prevention centres, focusing on beach safety education for families.

· Barry Dock Lifeboat Station operates as part of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a charity that saves lives at sea.

· The RNLI provides a 24-hour search and rescue service across the UK and Ireland.

· Barry Dock Lifeboat Station operates an all-weather lifeboat and an inshore D-class lifeboat, providing search and rescue services along the Vale of Glamorgan coast.

For further information, please contact:

Lisa Newberry, Lifeboat Press Officer, Barry Dock Lifeboat Station, 07977 922889 or for Penarth RNLI Lifeboat Press Officer, Nick White on 07818680667 Alternatively, you can contact Claire Fitzpatrick-Smith, Regional Communications Manager on [email protected] or 07977 728315, or contact the RNLI Press Office on 01202 336789.

RNLI online

For more information, please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the RNLI News Centre.

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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.

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.