Burnham RNLI Home Page > Burnham RNLI News Archive
May 15, 2004
Burnham-On-Sea RNLI Launch Day
Burnham-On-Sea’s Lifeboat Station was officially opened on Saturday May 15 when a service of dedication for the Staines Whitfield Lifeboat was held in front of hundreds of VIPs and supporters.
The event began with the singing of the national anthem and was followed by an introduction by Tony Winterburn, Chairman of the Burnham On Sea Station Branch.
Jonathan Whitfield formally handed over the Atlantic 75 Class lifeboat, which he has donated in memory of his parents, to John Drake, member of the RNLI Council. Martin Cox, the Burnham On Sea RNLI Operations Manager, thanked Jonathan and then recounted the RNLI’s first shout, which happened just weeks earlier.
The Reverend Graham Witts, vicar of St Andrew’s Church, conducted the service of dedication and led the singing of the hymns ‘O God Our Help In Ages Past’ and ‘For Those In Peril On The Sea’. The lesson, Psalm 107 vs23-31, was read by Phil Cowie, Burnham Lifeboat Crewman. After The Lifeboat Prayer and the dedication of the lifeboat, the craft was formally blessed. Sir Benjamin Bathurst then officially opened the lifeboat station.
Also see the related press release.
How To Get Involved with Burnham-On-Sea RNLI
Please contact the Burnham-On-Sea RNLI Lifeboat Operations Manager Martin Cox or telephone Burnham-On-Sea RNLI’s Lifeboat Administration Officer, Clare Rundle, on 01278 781123.
