Celebrating the RNLI family, past and present

Crew member ensures safe berth

‘It was a truly amazing experience for us’

As a Courtmacsherry Harbour lifeboat crew member, Garry Barrett knows something about safe deliveries. But when his partner Helen rapidly went into labour at home, he found himself facing a very different sort of emergency.

‘There was no time for a midwife, doctor or ambulance to arrive,’ recalls Helen, who was overdue by 8 days. ‘But Garry guided me through the birth and caught our beautiful daughter, Ena Moira Barrett, as she entered the world.

‘Garry was so calm and there was no sign of panic or stress. I am sure that his training with the RNLI gave him this ability to deal with the situation so wonderfully.

‘It was a truly amazing experience for us.’ As our picture shows, Helen, Garry and their new baby are doing well. If you’re a knitter and would like to create some booties like those sported by little Ena, see page 30.

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Helen Turpie took this picture of her husband Simon Turpie at the Lytham St Annes RNLI fun day. Simon, a helm on the inshore lifeboat at Lytham St Annes, is pictured here with two of their four children – Lottie (aged 2) and Lucy (7).

Helen says all the RNLI volunteers in the community put a huge effort into the event. She said: ‘My girls are very proud of their daddy and love hearing about his adventures on the lifeboat and out at sea. It was a lovely day – I just love this picture and thought I would share.’

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Celebrating life and remembering our friends

‘Remembered with great affection’

VIC DERHAM

Former naval man and lifelong RNLI volunteer Vic Derham passed away on 17 April. He will be greatly missed by all at Mudeford station and our thoughts are with his wife Margaret and his family.

Vic is remembered with great affection by the local community and from his time at Avon Beach. Several generations of his family had owned the beach and the café.

After his father became instrumental in setting up a lifeboat service, Vic followed in his father Ken’s footsteps and was a crew member on Mudeford lifeboat, later becoming Honorary Secretary, Deputy Launching Authority and Chairman. He received the Gold Badge and Bar to Gold Badge for his services to Mudeford Lifeboat Station and a Meritorious Award from Christchurch Council in 2006 for services to the lifeboat.

‘He captured people’s hearts’

TREVOR WALKER

Trevor Walker, who sadly died in March, joined the Wroxham and District RNLI Committee during December 2007 and was awarded a Certificate of Thanks in June 2013. His colleagues say they will miss his wonderful enthusiasm and persistence in promoting new fundraising ideas for the RNLI. Trevor’s collecting bucket was always the most full as he captured people’s hearts with his lovely cheeky grin. Committee member and Honorary Secretary Linda White added that he is a great loss to the RNLI, and as a friend to all the committee members.

Trevor’s widow, Ann Walker, arranged for Trevor’s ashes to be scattered by Cromer lifeboat and made a donation in his memory to the station.

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Robin Aitchison – Spring 2015
Former Crew Member at Eyemouth

Charles Beer – May 2015
Former Chargehand/Foreman at Borehamwood Depot

Janet Curran – June 2015
Former Chairman and Secretary of Dorking Branch

Ronald Cyril Curtis MBE – October 2014
Former Honorary Secretary of Shoreham Lifeboat Station

Alf Dickinson – Winter 2014
Chairman, Biggleswade Branch

Reverend Leslie Fraser – May 2015
Former Deputy Regional Manager – North West

Jean Harris – June 2015
Volunteer fundraiser at Exmouth and formerly at Halesowen Branch

Graham Mercer – May 2015
Former Honorary Secretary and active fundraiser at Portpatrick Lifeboat Station

Bob Miller – May 2015
Former Senior Area Organiser, South

Barry Pike – April 2015
Former Mechanic at Torbay Lifeboat Station

Peter Somers – June 2015
Former Mechanic and Second Coxswain/ Mechanic at Scarborough Lifeboat Station

Bill Tulloch – July 2015
Chairman of the Lifeboat Management Group at Kinghorn Lifeboat Station

Charles Webster – July 2015
Former Surveyor of Machinery

Bernie Wickham – April 2015
Long-serving volunteer fundraiser at Rosslare Harbour Branch