Mudeford RNLI welcomes hundreds to Christmas concert
On Friday evening December 15, it was standing room only on Mudeford Quay as crowds gathered for Mudeford RNLI’s first Christmas concert, Carols on the Quay.
RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Tim Hewett, welcomed more than a thousand local residents and visitors before introducing the Worshipful, the Mayor, Councillor Viv Charrett, who officially opened the event.
The inaugural concert featured local choristers, The Choir Engine who led the audience through an hour of carol singing on a perfect winter’s evening.
The RNLI’s Rookie the Reindeer and Stormy Stan were also on hand to entertain the audience as people queued up for burgers and mulled wine at the Haven House Inn and Café.
After the concert the RNLI volunteer crew gave tours of the Mudeford RNLI station including the Mudeford Servant Atlantic 85 lifeboat.
Tim explained, ‘As a lifesaving charity we depend on the support of our local community to continue our vital work saving lives at sea.
‘We had the idea of holding a carol concert as a way of saying thank you and hopefully create an event that brings us all together at this special time of year. We were amazed and delighted that so many of the Mudeford community attended.
'With the 200th anniversary of the RNLI next year, we really hope we can make this an annual event.’
Local Christchurch resident Chelsea said, ‘It was an amazing evening. There was a sea of people all enjoying and joining in the singing. It was great to see the community come together for such a great cause. I really hope Mudeford RNLI hold this concert again next year.’
The Mudeford Servant lifeboat has been called out 85 times this year so far, more than the whole of 2022 when the station had 65 shouts.
The Mudeford RNLI Carols on the Quay Christmas concert was supported by The Haven House Inn and Cafe and sponsored by Mitchells Estate Agents.
Media Contacts:
Robert King, Mudeford RNLI volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer, 07810 637471, [email protected]
Paul Dunt, RNLI Regional Communications Manager (London and the South East) (07785) 296252 [email protected]
Key facts about the RNLI
The RNLI charity saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives.
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Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries
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