Sun draws big crowds to fund-raising fête

The annual Seahouses Lifeboat Fête held on Bank Holiday Monday proved to be a big success.
Both lifeboats performed drills for the crowds. Pictures by Alex BraidfordBoth lifeboats performed drills for the crowds. Pictures by Alex Braidford
Both lifeboats performed drills for the crowds. Pictures by Alex Braidford

Large crowds enjoyed their day by the seaside, watching the inshore and all-weather lifeboats being put through their paces, although there was disappointment that the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter was unable to attend.

Many visitors generously put their hands in their pockets to buy gifts and tombola tickets to help the RNLI to swell its coffers.

Young visitors get a taste of what it's like to be in the crew.Young visitors get a taste of what it's like to be in the crew.
Young visitors get a taste of what it's like to be in the crew.
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No doubt the fish and chip shops and ice-cream vendors also enjoyed brisk business on a lovely summer’s day.

Seahouses Lifeboat Station, posting on its Facebook page, gave a huge thanks to all that helped, donated or came along to support the day.

“The weather was spot on and despite the Coastguard helicopter not being able to make it, it was a very good day,” the post added.

“We have exceeded last year’s total, but we still have more to come in so will let you all know very soon. Thanks again from all at Seahouses lifeboat station.”

The team responsible for doling out the refreshments.The team responsible for doling out the refreshments.
The team responsible for doling out the refreshments.
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The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea, with volunteers providing a 24-hour search-and-rescue service from 237 lifeboat stations around the country’s coastline.

The RNLI relies on public donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service and the annual lifeboat day at Seahouses is a key fund-raiser for the station.

The Seahouses crew has been called out 31 times this year already, including four incidents in August in which both the all-weather and the inshore lifeboats were requested to launch.

This year has already been a busy one compared to the previous few as 2015 saw just 23 call-outs all year, there were only 21 in 2014 and a total of 24 in 2013.

In the past two decades, the number of call-outs peaked at 53 in 2010.

For more information, visit www.seahouseslifeboat.org.uk