RNLI Scroll Signing on the Isle of Wight - 21 & 22 March 2024

The following morning (Friday 22 March) the custodian of the Scroll, Chris Smith, drove to Yarmouth to complete its tour of the Isle of Wight.

At the ILC the Scroll was signed by Robin Ebsworth (Chair of the Isle of Wight Lifeboat Board), Glyn Ellis (Operations Manager of ILC) and Harvey Ellison (an apprentice at ILC who had been involved in the production of the Scroll carrying case).

Prior to the signing at Cowes, Sir William Hilary’s 1824 Appeal to the Nation was read out reminding today’s volunteers we are that ‘large body of people to enrol themselves, and be in constant readiness to risk their own lives for the preservation of those whom they have never known or seen’. This was followed by a mix of crew, Guild, Shop and visits each reading a section of the Pledge which is the purpose of the signing and finally the Chief Executive’s vote of thanks.’ The Scroll was signed by Hugh Robotham - Cowes Station Chairman, Josephine Hinson - Cowes Guild Chairman, Fran Bracken - Cowes Shop Manager, Graham White - Water Safety officer and Barry Myland - recently retired Lead Visits officer.

At Bembridge over 60 members of the Guild, Lifeboat Crew, Visits, Education and Water Safety teams witnessed the reading of the Pledge by the Chair of the Lifeboat Management Group (Robin Ebsworth) and the signing of the Scroll by 5 representatives from the Station (Dave Marshall, Malai Stimson, Colin & Di Hawes and John Attrill) and the Chairs of the Shanklin Branch (Stuart Dyer) and the Seaview Branch (Deborah Sijlnans von Eldik).

At Yarmouth on Friday morning Alex Pimm, the youngest volunteer signed on behalf of the crew; then for fundraising was Pat Dawson and for the shop was Janice Aslin, who is also the niece of the Hiscock’s who their Severn Class All-Weather lifeboat is named after. They were also joined by Edward Nicholson & Richard (Dick) Downes from the Back of the Wight Branch.

The Isle of Wight Lifeboat Board was formed on 15 December 1859 to raise funds and call for the establishment of the Island’s first RNLI lifeboats at Brook and Brighstone. For RNLI 200, it has created additional events and activities which will commemorate the rescues of the past, celebrate the work of today’s Lifeboat crews, and importantly, inspire the support and participation needed for the future.

To mark the bicentenary of the RNLI, the Isle of Wight RNLI Lifeboat Board has invited entries from all the Island Schools to build a “Mini-Lifeboat” with curriculum-appropriate tasks for Key Stage 1, 2 or 3 classes. Not only should this prove to be a valuable team building exercise, but children will also learn important water safety lessons and about the work of the RNLI.

Additionally, amateur photographers - of all ages - are invited to submit digital images on the theme of “Island Seas – Splendour and Safety” to the Lifeboat Board’s dedicated RNLI website page by 31 July 2024. The winners and their families will be invited on a bespoke tour of a lifeboat station as well as having their successful pictures on public display.

Isle of Wight events include an Open Day at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre in East Cowes on Sunday 26 May, with demonstrations and entertainment. For more information visit: https://www.isleofwightlifeboatboard.org.uk/

Notes to Editors

• Statistics from RNLI Operational Data from 4 March 1824 to 31 December 2023 inclusive. A life saved shows how many of the people helped by the RNLI would have lost their life had the RNLI not been there.

• Click here to access the RNLI 200^th anniversary media pack, which contains a selection of RNLI archive images from key points in the charity’s history, an RNLI history timeline, and a film of ‘200 years in 200 seconds’ – all of which can be downloaded.

Media contacts

Mike Samuelson (Lifeboat Press Officer, Bembridge RNLI & PR contact for the Isle of Wight Lifeboat Board) on 07785 593254 / [email protected] or the RNLI press office on 01202 336789 / [email protected].

RNLI online

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

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 over 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and, in a normal year, 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 more than 146,000 lives.

RNLI at 200

On 4 March 2024, the RNLI celebrates 200 years of saving lives at sea - thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by voluntary public donations. Throughout its 200^th anniversary year, the charity is running events and activities to commemorate its history, celebrate the lifesaving service it provides today, and inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters. For more information visit RNLI.org/200.

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.