Fowey lifeboat station hosts historic RNLI 200 scroll signing ceremony

The scroll was signed by four representatives from Fowey. The first person to sign was Blossom, the daughter of one of Fowey’s volunteer lifeboat crew. Also signing were Fowey Lifeboat Coxswain, Jonathan Pritchard, Fowey Lifeboat Fundraising Committee Chair, Rob Collings, who was the 170^th person to sign the scroll and Di Morris, manager of the RNLI shop in Fowey. As well as signing the scroll they all added their names and titles to a book so that all names recorded on the scroll can be digitised for posterity.

Chairman of Fowey Lifeboat Management Group, Adam Luck said: ‘The scroll is part of the RNLI’s commemorative events this year to mark their 200^th anniversary. In an Olympic Torch-style relay called Connecting our Communities, that started on Monday March 4 at a commemorative service in Westminster Abbey, the specially made scroll is travelling around the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Hundreds of communities expressed their interest in hosting the scroll, and we are delighted that Fowey lifeboat station was chosen as one of the host locations in Cornwall.’

Adam continues: ‘This year Fowey RNLI is commemorating 165 years of lifesaving at Fowey lifeboat station. Originally based in Polkerris, the station opened in 1859 before moving to Fowey in the 1920s. The scroll signing in Fowey was the first of our commemorative events to mark our 165^th anniversary as well as the 200^th anniversary of the RNLI. We were delighted to see so many people who came along to help us witness and celebrate this historic occasion.’

The scroll, which arrived in Cornwall on April 1, is being transported around the country in a specially branded RNLI van, by 200^th Team Events Driver Chris Smith. On the scroll is the phrase: ‘Signed in 2024 by representatives of the RNLI’s lifesaving communities, on behalf of all who strive to save every one’, which has been translated into Cornish, as well as Irish Gaelic, Welsh, Scottish Gaelic, Ulster Scots and Manx, to represent all of our RNLI communities. It also contains the RNLI One Crew Pledge which reads: ‘Whoever we are, wherever we are from, we are one crew, ready to save lives. We’re powered by passion, talent and kindness, like generations of selfless lifesavers before us. This is our watch, we lead the way, valuing each other, trusting each other, depending on one another, volunteering to face the storm together. Knowing that, with courage, nothing is impossible. That is what has always driven us to save every one we can. It's what makes every one of us a lifesaver.’

After the signing ceremony Fowey’s volunteer lifeboat crew treated onlookers by putting on a display of lifeboat manoeuvres in Fowey Harbour in their all-weather and inshore lifeboats.

The all-weather lifeboat then travelled to Mevagissey where the crew met up with Chris and the scroll for a signing ceremony on Mevagissey quay.

People can follow the progress of the scroll on its journey around the UK on an interactive map at rnli.org/200relay

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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