Celebrating the RNU family, past and present

Interrupted nuptials
When Littlestone-on-sea RNLI volunteers Matt and Heather Crittenden decided to hold their wedding ceremony at the lifeboat station, the possibility of a shout Interrupting proceedings was a distinct possibility.

Sure enough, just after the ceremony, the pagers sounded, and the Littlestone crew sprang into action. The forwardthinking couple had designated an area for guests to stand In case of a launch -and they watched on as volunteers swapped their tea and cake for lifejackets, before heading out to sea.

Thankfully, the crew weren't needed for long and soon returned to the station to join the remaining guests.

Something in the water

Filey RNLI lifeboat crew had an extra special send-off when they launched on exercise on Sunday 13 September six babies were on hand to watch.

In the past year Filey lifeboat crew members and their partners have welcomed many new arrivals, six of whom were gathered to watch their first launch.

Our picture shows proud crew members {left to right}: Paul Wilson, Paul Bames, Tom Barkley, Dave Eblet. Richard Johnson and Jon Harrison with their offspring.

Barry Robson, Flfey's Coxswain/Mechanic said afterwards: 'The dads can be called out at any time, so our thanks must go to all the partners of our volunteer crew here at Filey, who support us so much.

Celebrating life and remembering our friends

'A hugely kind and giving man'
DR GARETH HUGHES-THOMAS

Tributes have been paid to RNLI Porthdinllaen volunteer Dr Gareth Hughes-Thomas, who gave almost 6 decades of dedicated service to the charity. Gareth became Deputy Honorary Medical Adviser at Porthdinllaen station in 1956; Honorary Medical Adviser 10 years later and was station doctor until 1985, when he retired and travelled as a ship's medical officer with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. His commitment to the station was not limited to medical matters; from 1976 he also served as Lifeboat Station (now Lifeboat Management Group) Chairman- a role he fulfilled actively right up until his death. In 1985, for his tireless service to the RNLI, Dr Hughes-Thomas was awarded a Silver Badge. A Gold Badge followed in 2001, with a Bar to his Gold In In 2007.

'Everybody loved him-from people who have been around for years like me to young and new members of the crew,' says Ken Filtzpatrick, Porthdinllaen Lifeboat Operations Manager. 'He was only small in stature but he was a hugely kind and giving man. He was always there to help whenever the station needed him.'

'He was one of our own'
CRAIG STEADMAN

Holyhead Crew Member Craig Steadman, who died on 24 August, had been a lifeboat volunteer since 2004. After a break, during which he taught sailing at a college in Salcombe, he rejoined in 2011 and began working hard to, one day, become the lifeboat's helm. Craig's father, Ray is also a volunteer with RNLI Holyhead, and agreed that the station's late August open days should be held in Craig's memory. Hundreds attended.

Holyhead Coxswain Brian Thomson says: 'Craig was a popular member of the crew on both our lifeboats and will be sadly missed by everyone here. We are a close-knit station and he was one of our own.'

Jean Boyles - August 2015
Former President and long-serving
member at lfracombe Branch

Marco Brimacombe - October 2015
Former Coxswain at Salcombe

Dr Bill Clegg - June 2015
President and former Honorary Medical Adviser at Tobermory

Keith Drake - August 2015
DLA and former Second Coxswain at Tobermory

William Drake - August 2015
Former Supervisor, Fundraising at Poole Headquarters

Dorothy Eastwood - August 2015
Former Supervisor of the Typing Pool at Poole Headquarters

Lake Falconer - July 2015
Former Crew Member, DLA and Chairman at Oban Lifeboat Station

Bill Farquhar- October 2015
Lifeboat Operations Manager at Thurso, former Coxswain and Former DLA

Dan Gregory - August 2015
President of Bude Fundraising Branch

Martha Hyland - August 2015
Former Clerk at Republic of Ireland Fundraising Office

Dawn Johnson - September 2015
Central Processing Unit

James Joyce - August 2015
Crew Member at Aran Islands

Jim Lyne - August 2015
Lifeboat Administration Officer at amsgate

James (Jim) Mitchell - October 2015
Former Coxswain at Macduff

Mary McEwen-Smith MBE -July 2015
President and long-serving member of Clevedon and Tickenham Branch

Jenny Robinson - September 2015
Souvenir Secretary and Committee Member of Locksheath Branch

Vera Robinson MBE - July 2015
President RNLI Redcar Guild and volunteer at Zetland Museum

Robert Sally - October 2015
Former Second Coxswain and Assistant Mechanic at Campbeltown

Christine van Doom - August 2015
Long-serving member of Cupar Branch

Emlyn Williams - August 2015
Deputy Launching Authority at Criccieth

Robert 'Bob' Wright MBE - September 2015
Deputy Second Coxswain and former Coxswain at Pwllheli Lifeboat Station

Francis Zisimidas - September 2015
Founder member of Plymouth Ladies' Guild and RNLI shop