Wells RNLI Visits Team celebrates Sheila Warner MBE

Wednesday 15 January 2025

For 65 years, Sheila Warner has dedicated herself to causes close to her heart, and her commitment has earned her an MBE.

Shelia Warner MBE and Wells RNLIs Visits team at station celebration In crew room — Shelia Warner MBE and Wells RNLIs Visits team at station celebration

Sheila is also an invaluable member of Wells RNLI’s visits team, where her vast local knowledge, passion for the charity's lifesaving mission, and stories of past events are always cherished by the many visitors she meets.

To celebrate her remarkable achievement, the team arranged a special treat, including a delicious RNLI-themed cake from the Wellie Boot Bakery and a 200th anniversary RNLI rose from Peter Beales. Though Sheila insisted on no fuss, the team couldn't resist a celebration in her honour, creating a temporary rose until the real one arrives.

Lifeboat Visits Officer Glenda Foster shared her appreciation:

'It was our absolute pleasure to do this special treat for Sheila after our team meeting this morning. We are so proud of her achievement in being awarded the MBE for 65 years of dedicated service to the RNLI. Sheila is a valued member of our Visits team, always one of the first to volunteer to run a tour or man the gallery. Despite being firmly told we were not to make a fuss – on this occasion, we just had to take no notice! Huge thanks to Wellie Boot Bakery for the amazing RNLI-themed cakes and to Peter Beale Roses for rushing through the order of the RNLI rose ‘With Courage.’ We promise the real one will replace the paper ones!'

The team’s tribute highlighted just how deeply Sheila is valued both by her fellow volunteers and the countless visitors whose lives she has touched.

Notes to Editors

The RNLI was delighted to introduce ‘RNLI 200th With Courage’ to mark the 200th anniversary of the RNLI

To commemorate the spectacular occasion, ‘RNLI 200th With Courage’ received its official launch at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2024. At the heart of a breath-taking floral display was a retired RNLI D class inshore lifeboat, the workhorse of the RNLI fleet, surrounded by a sea of magnificent roses.

Bred by Peter Beales Roses ‘RNLI 200th With Courage’ produces clusters of coppery-orange flowers with a sweet apple fragrance throughout June and July, repeating again in September and into October. Growing to around 90cm (3 feet) tall, this compact bush rose is ideal for growing in the middle of a mixed border or planted in a large pot.

RNLI Media contacts

Jess Curtis, Lifeboat Press Officer at Wells RNLI Tel: 07860200790

Email: [email protected]

RNLI themed cupcakes with yellow wellies — RNLI themed cupcakes

Shelia Warner MBE receiving presents and cupcakes at celebration in crew room — Shelia Warner MBE receiving presents and cupcakes at celebration

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.

Wells RNLI Visits Team celebrates Sheila Warner MBE

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