Rhyl couple tie the knot

Congratulations to Coastguard volunteer Andrea and RNLI volunteer Andy, who brought a whole new level of inter-agency cooperation to the shores of Rhyl when they got married in June. Andrea has been a volunteer for the Rhyl Coastguard team for 15 years, inspiring Andy to join the lifeboat crew. Her daughter Jamie also volunteers for the Coastguard. Coxswain Martin Jones of Rhyl lifeboat said: ‘Both the coastguards and the lifeboat crew are very proud of the happy couple, and wish Andrea and Andy all the best in their future life together.’

ON YER BIKE!

Yorkshireman Will Ockelton, who now lives in California, popped in to Flamborough Lifeboat Station to show the crew his Shannonthemed mountain bike – The Mike. The two-wheeled masterpiece is named in honour of former RNLI Coxswain Mike Storey, a good friend of Will’s father, who passed away in 2014. It’s a unique, custom bike painted at Will’s workplace, Santa Cruz bikes. The not-quite-25-knot cycle is designed to carry its owner round the French Alps on holiday; hence the inscription ‘let not the steep swallow me up’. Will explained that, having grown up near the coast, he’s always been an avid RNLI supporter.

Celebrating life

It is with great sadness that the Lough Ree Lifeboat Station community announce the death of their friend and volunteer Paul Browne. In 2012, the station struck lucky when Paul agreed to become the lifeboat mechanic and a shore crew member. His friends remember how handy he was with all things mechanical, ensuring that all standards were met and all lifeboat inspections passed with flying colours. Lifeboat Operations Manager Damien Delaney recalls: ‘Visitors would often comment on the jovial atmosphere, which was mainly due to Paul’s wit and banter, and nobody was left out or escaped. He loved boats, or should I say he loved fiddling about with engines and boat bits in general, so the lifeboat mechanic role suited him perfectly. It was plain to see that he loved the job … I used to joke with him that I would put a bed into the workshop for him to save him going home.’ Paul was a very important member of the station family. He was well loved and will be missed dearly.

Colin Underwood, OBE – February 2016 Former Secretary of Matlock and Bakewell Branch Eric Russell – March 2016 Lifeboat Support Group Member, Shop Volunteer and brass polisher, RNLI ScarboroughAnnie Marsden – April 2016 Member of RNLI Mossley Branch
Ron Chapman – May 2016 Former Coxswain and Chairman of Skegness Lifeboat StationPaul Browne – May 2016 B class lifeboat Maintenance Mechanic at Lough Ree Lifeboat Station
Alan Raby – June 2016 Former Shore Crew at Barrow Lifeboat Station
Alan Radford– June 2016 Former Chairman Barnet, Finchley and Friern Barnet District Branch
Delwyn Gibson – July 2016 Former Clerk at Poole Depot
Ray Heffernan – July 2016 Deputy Launching Authority at Crosshaven Lifeboat Station
John Rose – July 2016 Former Drawing Office Manager at Poole Headquarters
Jessie Fisher – July 2016 Former Supervisor at the Central England Office
Ross Tyson – August 2016 Former Crew Member, Tractor Driver and Standard Bearer at Scarborough Lifeboat Station

The sons of two RNLI Margate crew volunteers have followed in their fathers’ footsteps by joining the crew, becoming the youngest members of the station’s lifesaving team. Oliver Titcombe and Grant Welch signed up on their 17th birthdays, the youngest age volunteers can enrol. They are now starting an intensive training programme to become full sea-going members of both the inshore and all-weather lifeboat crews at Margate.