Welcome to your community news for Scotland. For all the latest from where you are, head to RNLI.org/news

Words: Anna Burn. Photos: Kathryn Campbell, Quarriers Carer Support Service,
RNLI/(Buckie, Graham Campbell, Nigel Millard), Charles Sherriffs

BUSY AT BUCKIE

It was a busy July for the team at Buckie Lifeboat Station. Mechanic Gordie Lawtie retired after more than 30 years’ service, 21 as mechanic. While walking over to the Marine Hotel, the pagers went and crew were requested to launch to a yacht in difficulty 22 miles offshore. Returning to station at 1.45am, the crew had missed the meal but provided Gordie with a photo to remember (below)! On 12 July, 12 young carers enjoyed a tour of the station thanks to charity Quarriers Carer Support Service, which helps young people with care responsibilities to enjoy some respite, have fun and meet new friends in similar circumstances. Attending during a training exercise, the children got to meet lots of crew and even try on some kit. And on 21 July, Buckie saw the return of an old friend – the Watson class lifeboat Laura Moncur, which served the station from 1961–84.Escorted into harbour by the current all-weather lifeboat, Severn class William Blannin, she moored at the station for the weekend, so that volunteers and members of the public could see her up close.

Aberdeen
Burning down the house

In June, champions from the Robert Burns World Federation and National Mod came together at the Aberdeen Masonic Temple for a public evening of song, poetry and storytelling – Till a’ the Seas Gang Dry – arranged by the Aberdeen Burns Club and Aberdeen and District Fundraising Branch. Burns fans filled the temple – which is rarely open to the public – and enjoyed the performance, an interval buffet, and a ‘guess the name of the teddy’ challenge. In total, a fantastic £1,189.60 was raised to help save lives at sea.

Tobermory

VOLUNTEER SUE

Quilter and RNLI supporter Kathryn Campbell (KayCee) from Tobermory has created a beautiful quilt to raise money for the RNLI. Members of Facebook quilting group UK Quilters United had been challenged to produce a wall hanging depicting the well-known 19th-century illustrated character Sunbonnet Sue – who later became a mainstay in modern crafting. KayCee decided to make Sunbonnet Sue an RNLI crew member. Volunteer Sue was auctioned to raise lifesaving funds at Tobermory’s lifeboat day, selling for £251.

Kirkwall

Another string to their bow

The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra put on a 1-hour performance in front of St Magnus Cathedral this summer, with £315.71 raised for Kirkwall Lifeboat Station. A large crowd of locals and visitors gathered in glorious sunshine, and danced to the enthralling performance. The team at Kirkwall are most grateful for the orchestra’s performance and generosity.

WHAT'S ON

Fish Supper is back for 2018 from 5–21 October. To host your own visit RNLI.org/FishSupper, or see RNLI.org/events to find one near you. 

COFFEE MORNING
Saturday 3 November, 10am–2pm Dumbarton Riverside Parish Church Join fellow Dumbarton and District RNLI supporters as the fundraising branch host their annual coffee morning.

PLEASE SEND US YOUR EVENTS
We want to be able to tell readers about as many events happening near them as possible, but don’t always get to hear about them in time. When this issue lands on your doorstep, we will be looking for events from mid-January to mid-April. If you are an event organiser, please send your events listings to [email protected]. Be sure to also ask your community support coordinator how to list them on RNLI.org/events.