More than 40 lifeboat supporters and crewmembers attended the annual meeting of Burnham-On-Sea RNLI on Friday (25th March) when a busy year for the station was recounted.
Held at the town’s Sailing Club, the meeting included a recap of the year by Chairman Graham Wills, a review of recent rescues by Burnham-On-Sea Lifeboat Operations Manager Ricky Holmes, and an update on fundraising by branch treasurer Jan Pearce.
Ricky said it had been a quiet year for launches, with the lifeboats being called to 17 incidents, however crewmembers had been busy with training, fundraising and visits.
He thanked the crew for their support over the year and said an appeal had been launched for additional shore crewmembers to join.
Education officer Tony Deahl, who was unable to attend the meeting, gave a written account of the school visits that the RNLI, BARB and Coastguard stations had hosted during the year.
And safety officer Dave Humphreys provided an update on the sea safety checks provided to local boat owners.
Adrian Carey, RNLI regional Inspector, reviewed the charity’s national fundraising initiatives, saying that 2010 had been a tough year financially for the national charity during the economic downturn – although the overall balances remain healthy.
During the meeting, a period of silence was held in memory of fundraiser Roy Hall and Sue Johnson, a partner of one of the crew, who have passed away in recent months.
Pictured (top) are Chairman Graham Wills, Lifeboat Operations Manager Ricky Holmes, Adrian Carey, RNLI regional Inspector, and Burnham Mayor Michael Clarke; (middle) the Puffin lifeboat and (above) the Mayor with crewmember Tim Walters
RELATED LINKS:
Lifeboats website for Burnham-On-Sea
