Royal appointment for Bridlington RNLI Crew at Buckingham Palace
Two Bridlington RNLI crew, along with their families, celebrated the RNLI’s 200th anniversary in style at a special garden party at Buckingham Palace last week.
AJ Shepherd (Mechanic) and James Mather (Technical Assistant and volunteer) were both in attendance at the RNLI 200th Anniversary Garden Party on Thursday 23 May. The crew from Bridlington were in esteemed company as in attendance was Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal along with Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and RNLI President The Duke of Kent, after the event was granted by His Majesty the King.
The Duke of Kent has been President of the RNLI since 1969, Sir Tim Lawrence is the Vice President of the RNLI and former Chair. The event at Buckingham Palace was part of the year long celebrations in the RNLI200 bi-centennial year.
Bridlington RNLI Station mechanic AJ Shepherd said ‘It was an absolute honour to attend the garden party and represent Bridlington RNLI in what is a massive year for the organisation. To be at such an event is probably a one-off lifetime experience that none of us will repeat’.
James Mather added, ‘To be asked to represent Bridlington RNLI at such a prestigious event was such an honour. To be able to attend such an auspicious event along with my wife Adelle who is pregnant with our first child, it was a really special day for us to share together’.
Notes to Editors
Photographs credited to Adelle Mather.
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