Priory Church to hold 200 year Celebration for Bridlington RNLI

On Saturday 15 June at 6.00 pm, Bridlington Priory Church will hold a special service of celebration for Bridlington RNLI to mark the RNLI in their bicentenary year. Bridlington RNLI has always had a strong link with the Priory Church, dating back to the 19^th century. Every year volunteers from Bridlington RNLI return each February to Priory Church to remember those lost in the Great Gale of 1871.

However, as 2024 is a celebration year for the RNLI, as this year the organisation reaches 200 years as a volunteer service, Bridlington Priory Church will open its doors not only to the volunteers of Bridlington RNLI but to all people, young and old who are welcome to join in this special service.

The service will be led by Reverend Neil Bowler, Rector of the Bridlington Priory who will be joined in the service by talented musician Ben Couper, who will play his personal RNLI composition to the congregation. There will also be pupils from Bridlington Bay Primary School who will be entertaining the congregation with a number of songs. Also on display will be art work including a chat with local schoolboy Ernie who will be telling the gathering about his picture of Sir William Hillary, the founder of the RNLI that will go back on display at the lifeboat station after the service. There will also be a member of the volunteer Bridlington RNLI crew who will share their thoughts with the congregation.

Bridlington RNLI Lifeboat Chair, Lynn Shaw said ‘The year 2024 is a major date not only for the RNLI who celebrate 200 years this year, but also for the people of Bridlington who have had a lifeboat in the town since 1805. We are delighted to share such a wonderful event with the town folk of Bridlington in such a wonderful way. Huge thanks to Reverend Neil Bowler for allowing us into his church. We would like to welcome as many people as possible to come and celebrate with us. It promises to be a service to enjoy, remember and look forward to another 200 years of Saving Lives at Sea.'

RNLI Media contacts

For more information, please contact Mike Milner, RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer: [email protected] or call:07751-054052.

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.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.