Torbay RNLI marks 160th anniversary with StormFest 160 on Saturday 22nd August

The day will begin early in the morning with a reenactment of the events of January 1866 when Teignmouth RNLI’s lifeboat was hauled overland from Teignmouth to Torquay by a team including women to come to the rescue of sailors in Tor Bay. An all-female team of the wives and partners of today’s RNLI crew - dressed in 1860’s costume – will pull a gig boat wrapped in the colours of a Victorian-era lifeboat around Teignmouth. The gig pull will continue at Babbacombe and Meadfoot before concluding with a short parade and launch at Beacon Quay, Torquay.

A flotilla of gig boats, crewed by Torbay RNLI crew members along with rowers from the Brixham Gig Row Club, will then row across Tor Bay shortly before midday accompanied by a fleet of RNLI lifeboats from Torbay, Teignmouth and other south Devon RNLI stations.

On arrival in Brixham's inner harbour in the early afternoon, a service of remembrance at Brixham's Man and Boy statue led by Helen Lovell-Smith of the Fisherman's Mission will remember 1866's tragic events. The service will also celebrate Torbay Lifeboat Station’s proud 160-year contribution to saving lives at sea in Torbay.

The day’s events will culminate with a live music and food festival during the afternoon and into the evening at The Old Coastguard House, Kings Quay, Brixham. Local residents and visitors are invited to celebrate alongside the lifeboat crew and the many other local volunteers that keep the lifeboat station running, with local food & drink, music from local bands & singers, as well as a raffle and other entertainments on offer for all the family to enjoy.

Richard Fowler, Coxswain, Torbay RNLI commented, “StormFest 160 gives us the opportunity to say Thank You to the local community for their 160 years of unwavering support for our lifeboat station and our volunteers. We’re also delighted to have Inter-Line Building Supplies onboard as the event’s lead sponsor, especially as they themselves celebrate their 50-year anniversary this year.”

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Klaus Goddard, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI South West, [email protected]

Emma Haines, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for South West England, 07786 668847, [email protected]

Amy Caldwell, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for South West England, 07920 818807, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

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The RNLI is the charity that 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 146,700 lives.

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