
Scoill Phurt le Moirrey Choir celebrate RNLI 200
Isle of Man Primary Schools mark 200 years of the RNLI with a songwriting competition.
To celebrate 200 years of the RNLI, in its birthplace on the Isle of Man, a songwriting competition was held for primary schools all over the island. This could either be writing lyrics to an existing tune or a complete new song.
Adele Parsons, a teacher at Scoill Phurt le Moirrey (Port St Mary) wrote her an original song and duly won first prize at the Manx Folk Awards.
The crew from Port St Mary lifeboat, many of whom are parents at the school were so impressed that they asked the choir to perform the sea shanty at the recent naming ceremony of the D class inshore lifeboat in Port St Mary.
The song begins by focussing on the Port St Mary lifeboat house and its’ crew, tells the story of Sir William Hillary and his founding of the RNLI. It refers to the roles carried out by people from various walks of life and how they volunteer their time free and with bravery.
Adele Parsons, the composer states that she really wanted to bring a link into the Manx Fisherman’s Evening Hymn with her modern composition – namely ‘We ask thee Lord will hear us from heav’n his dwelling place. We’ve toiled all night, He’ll keep us safe, and bring us back to base.’ The Choir are very proud to have also won the North American Manx Association medal for their contribution to Manx culture.
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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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