RNLI volunteers from the Cumbrian coast celebrated the 200th anniversary as part of a weekend of historic events.
The Coast to Cobbles event saw a time capsule being waved off from Silloth RNLI’s base to make its way down the coast to be handed over to Workington, St Bees and Barrow crews in a relay.
It will arrive in Salford Quays on October 9 and the each RNLI crew was given the opportunity to add something before it is sealed and put on display in Lytham St Annes Lifeboat Museum for 50 years.
At Silloth, Coast to Cobbles was kicked off with sea shanties sang by the Allonby Ukes. The Atlantic 85 lifeboat, Elaine and Don Wilkinson, launched at 10am.
Three children of current crew were asked to carry the capsule down the slipway and hand it over to the lifeboat crew.
Once the capsule was handed over, one of the volunteer lifeboat crew members gave the youngest future crew member, the son of helm Chris Clark and press officer Rebecca, a high five.
The lifeboat then made its way to Maryport Harbour where it met up with Workington RNLI. Both boats moored up and Silloth lifeboat crew passed the time capsule over to the crew of Workington RNLI.
Workington RNLI went to Maryport, and was escorted by local sea cadets.
On Sunday, Workington RNLI was be met by Workington Sea Cadets and the boats proceeded to Town Quay, where they were joined by shantymen Nobody’s Friends and Workington RNLI fundraisers at 10.15am for a small ceremony.
They then met the St Bees crew outside Whitehaven and entered Whitehaven to Lime Quay, welcomed by town crier Marc Goodwin and the capsule was transferred to St Bees for its onward journey.
Lifeboats from both stations proceeded to St Bees then the time capsule was transferred to Barrow’s crew.
In the time capsule is a navigational chart which is being signed by the boat crew who transport it along its special journey. Stations are able to contribute to the capsule, adding items of importance to them.
The time capsule’s journey will take 11 days from 28 September until 9 October when it will arrive in the Greater Manchester area in time for the anniversary of the world’s first street collection, which took place in the streets of Manchester on the 10 October 1891.
Lesley Hope, fundraiser and shop volunteer for Silloth RNLI, said: “From the early days of organising this event to the last few days has been a pleasure and to work alongside the crew is just great. To see everyone here at the station for such a special event and enjoying themselves makes this job so rewarding.
“I am honoured to have been given the opportunity to help plan such a memorable event which will forever be in the history books of the RNLI.
“The event has made me think about our volunteers of the past, the current volunteers and the volunteers of the future. I am proud of each and everyone of the volunteer lifeboat crew, fundraisers and shop volunteers – especially the future crew who had the important responsibility of handing over the time capsule.”
Tim Chittenden, operations manager at Workington RNLI, said: “It was a great event to mark the RNLI’s 200th anniversary and it was a lovely occasion for everyone here to be part of, and be a part of the RNLI’s history.
“Our volunteers – from the crew to the fundraisers – are dedicated to help to save lives at sea – and this event helped to celebrate their commitment.”
