CAPTION: Lifeboats from across South Devon gathered in Brixham harbour for the blessing of the boats ceremony (Photo: Torbay RNLI)
Brixham service celebrates 200 years of the RNLI saving lives at sea
A service to mark the 200th anniversary of the RNLI has taken place at All Saints church in Brixham.
It began with three minutes of bellringing by all the churches across Brixham, Torquay and Paignton.
The service was led by Helen Lovell-Smith, the Fishermen’s Mission Area Officer for Devon, and attended by members of Torbay Lifeboat crew, their families, friends and other volunteers and supporters.
The address was given by the Bishop of Plymouth, the Rt. Rev’d James Grier. H.M Vice Lord Lieutenant, the Countess of Arran, was also there. Bishop James said “It was a fantastic service with nearly 300 people, including what seemed like every RNLI crew member and volunteer from the town and beyond. It also included children from two of the local schools who made wonderful contributions. There was a song and a poem both written for the occasion.”
Crews face danger at sea
You can listen to the new song “200 Years” written for the anniversary by local volunteer, Roger Smith, here.
During his address Bishop James talked about the birth of the RNLI: “200 years ago this evening in a pub in Bishopsgate in London, over a few drinks Sir William Hillary and his friends decided to do something about the fact that there were nearly 2000 shipwrecks around the coasts of the UK. That evening they started the RNLI.
“Since that day the RNLI have saved more than 144000 lives and over 600 of their volunteers have given their lives in the pursuit of saving the lives of others.
“In 1866, a terrible storm destroyed over 60 vessels in Brixham. The women of the town burnt furniture, bedding and anything they could lay their hands on at the end of the breakwater to guide their men home.
“Such was the devastation of the storm that the people of Exeter raised £600 to buy Brixham its first lifeboat.
“The RNLI crews face huge danger and real fear as they literally pull people from the water. But we all can be afraid and fear what’s going on around us, whether on land or at sea.
146,000 lives saved since 1824
“For everyone of us, Jesus is there with us ready to take our hand and hold on to us. In each and every situation we can cry out to him to save us and he will always be there. Not distant but within arm’s reach and ready and willing to save us.”
On Sunday 3 March Helen Lovell also led a Blessing of the Fleet ceremony, featuring all the lifeboats from along the south Devon coast. Watch the video here.
They were accompanied on their voyage by local trawlers as a tribute from the fishing community.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) was created at a meeting in the City of London on 4 March 1824.
It was the vision of Sir William Hillary and he convinced those at the meeting to support the new charity.
Those present included the Archbishop of Canterbury and the anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce.
The RNLI’s motto then and now is “Saving lives at sea.”
According to the charity, since 1824 lifeboat crews have saved over 146,000 lives. On average that is two lives a day.