Wedding Day Shout

As Lough Swilly Crew Member Francy Burns took the microphone for his wedding speech, his bride-to be, Helen, was surprised to hear the sound of a pager instead of the traditional declarations of love. Right in the middle of the wedding celebrations, Francya nd his fellow crew, were called to the aid of a drifting vessel with a brokendown engine. Luckily, the coxswain had enough volunteers for the shout, so Francy and Helen were able to continue with their big day. Francy said: ‘Helen understands how I feel about the lifeboat and she is fully supportive. You never know, I might even persuade her to sign up too.’

I Spy 150 years of Family History

Former Crew Member Robert Wyn Jones, whose family has been linked to Barmouth RNLI since the 1860s, has donated a 150-yearold telescope to his local lifeboat station. Robert is the great-grand-nephew of Humphrey Jones who, from 1866 to 1892, was
the first named coxswain of Barmouth lifeboat. Robert’s father, Rhys David Jones, was also a Barmouth coxswain (from 1960 to 1967).
The telescope, which has been in the Jones family for generations, is inscribed ‘National Lifeboat Institution 1861’. David Baily, Barmouth RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager, says: ‘We are very grateful that Robert has made this generous donation, and delighted that this beautiful telescope has been presented to the station. We will arrange for it to be displayed in the museum section of our RNLI Shop at the lifeboat station.’

Celebrating Life

‘ Thanks for the fuel’, say three generations of Geoffrey

Three generations of an RNLI family – all with something special in common – have thanked the Valero Pembroke Refinery for a gift of lifeboat fuel. The donation was received by RNLI Tenby’s Deputy Launching Authority Geoffrey Martin, who was joined at the lifeboat station by his crew member son Geoffrey Martin and ‘lifeboat-mad’ grandson, you guessed it, Geoffrey Martin! Grandad Geoffrey said: ‘Fuel is one of the RNLI charity’s greatest costs and we’ve had another busy year of launches for our lifeboats. Without fuel we wouldn’t have been able to get to people in need of assistance at sea and bring them to safety – it’s a vital ingredient in what we do.’

‘A lifeboatman, a legend and a gentleman’

The Staithes and Runswick lifeboat community is deeply saddened by the loss of their friend and former Crew Member Willie Wright.
Willie spent 17 years as an RNLI crew volunteer, earning a long service award. He was at sea onboard the lifeboat Royal Thames when he received the message that his wife Lucy had given birth to their daughter Elizabeth. He was also a fisherman, local historian and founder member of the Staithes Fishermen’s Choir, and later the Men of Staithes Choir. Bill Blackwell, Chairman of the Staithes Harbour Commissioners, said: ‘He was unique, a font of local knowledge, he loved boats and lifeboats, always available to help. He was one of the last residents born and bred in the old village. It’s like the end of an era.’ Staithes Deputy Launching Authority Sean Baxter added: ‘He was a steady, reliable and mild-mannered character who set a great example to the crew. He was also a huge part of the community: a singer, storyteller, just so proficient and confident in everything he did ’

Rosemary Bass – December 2016
Former Area Organiser, Immingham
Jeff Bishop – May 2016
Former Crew Member at Great Yarmouth and Gorleston Lifeboat Station
John Carroll – September 2016
Former Chair of Tewkesbury Branch
Alan Dixon – January 2017
Former Area Organiser for the North Eastand Yorkshire
Margaret Eddowes – November 2016
Secretary and Box Secretary at Hyde Fundraising Branch
John Hanvey Snr – December 2016
Chairman of Seahouses Lifeboat Station Management Committee
Ivor Howcroft – July 2016
Former Chairman of South West Wiltshire Branch
Alf Martin – December 2016
Poole Lifeboat Station Museum Volunteer and Fundraiser
Captain RV ‘Fido’ May BEM – July 2016
Former Member of the RNLI’s Fundraising Committee and President of Bridport and District Branch
Mike Pearce – November 2016
Former Maintenance Team Member and Security Guard at Poole HQ
David Warren – September 2016
Boathouse Attendant at Swanage Lifeboat Station
Cmdr Peter Woodward VRD RNR –
December 2016
Former Planning Manager at Poole HQ