Sheringham RNLI set to name its new lifeboat in special ceremony

The lifeboat will be officially named B-953 Oddfellows – Making Friends, Helping People.

The Oddfellows non-for-profit friendly society has previously funded three lifeboats in the town, and this is the fourth lifeboat.

Over the years, the society has generously funded equipment, contributed towards refits and helped preserve local lifeboat heritage.

Sheringham RNLI station is currently being repaired and refurbished in preparation for the arrival of the lifeboat next year.

The charity’s lifeboat has already been undertaking lifesaving duties.

During the summer she was stationed at Burnham-on-Crouch RNLI as their relief lifeboat whilst their own was re-fitted. Here she attended a number of callouts (shouts) and supported crew training. The new lifeboat is also set to provide cover at Mablethorpe RNLI during a refit.

David Randall, Oddfellows Past Grand Master, said: ‘The Oddfellows are pleased to have been associated with Sheringham RNLI having built valued connections over more than 140 years, most recently through the sponsorship of the last four lifeboats at Sheringham spanning from 1962 to the B-953 The Oddfellows - Making Friends Helping People. We will be proud to join the crew and distinguished guests at the naming ceremony.’

Peter Sampson, Chair of Sheringham Lifeboat Management Group, said: ‘We are really looking forward to Sunday and hope that people will come along to watch the ceremony. The Sheringham Shantymen will be singing before and after the event and it promises to be a special occasion.

‘The naming ceremony is an important step forward in the restoration of having a lifeboat in Sheringham. The boat will return when the repair to the boathouse is complete in 2027.’

Notes to editors

The Oddfellows was founded in 1810. It is one of the UK’s oldest and largest friendly societies, with around 39,000 members across its 91 branches nationwide.

A not-for-profit mutual, membership of the Oddfellows provides friendship, community and wellbeing support through its local groups.

The Society also supports charitable causes at both a local and national level, including funding UK medical research. www.oddfellows.co.uk

RNLI Picture captions

1. B-953 The Oddfellows - Making Friends Helping People. Credit: RNLI/Nicola Fletcher.

2. B-953 The Oddfellows - Making Friends Helping People. Credit: RNLI/Nicola Fletcher.

3. Members of the Oddfellows friendly society visiting the lifeboat at Burnham-on-Crouch during the summer. Credit: RNLI/Laura Warner.

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