Swanage Lifeboat Week is celebrating 200 years of the RNLI in 2024, and looks likely to end the week blessed by good weather for its finale of music, barbecue food, drinks and fun challenges, as well as a church service at Swanage Pier.
Fundraising events have been happening throughout the week from Saturday 10th to Sunday 18th August 2024 with its infamous duck race, darts competition, film and theatre performances plus a 5k trail run having already taken place.
Swanage lifeboat volunteers with coxswain Dave Turnbull (centre) start preparing Prince Albert Gardens for two days of events
Although the mist rolled in during the setting up, bright sunshine is forecast for the next few days
Bar, barbecue and live music
Now the focus shifts to Prince Albert Gardens for a two day festival featuring live music.
On the Friday evening there’s performances from blues band Thirsty Ferrets followed by Six and Sax, a seven piece band playing an eclectic mix of covers.
On Saturday evening, first up on stage will be indie rock band Galaxy Thief, followed by covers band The Reptiles.
With the weather forecast to be sunny and warm for the events at Prince Albert Gardens, everyone is invited to come down and enjoy themselves and support Swanage Lifeboat Station.
Out publicising the lifeboat week duck race
Age no barrier for volunteering for the RNLI, or for selling ducks!
Lifeboat Week 2024
Friday 16th August
- 9 am to 1 pm: Flag day street collection
- 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm: Rescue the damsel raft race at Swanage Main Beach (sign in from 5.30 pm)
- 6 pm to 11 pm: Bar and barbecue at Prince Albert Gardens with live music from Thirsty Ferrets at 7 pm and Six and Sax at 9 pm
Saturday 17th August
- 11 am to 4 pm: Lifeboat fayre at Prince Albert Gardens
- 12 noon to 4 pm: Build a boat competition at Prince Albert Gardens
- 12 noon to 4 pm: Live music at Prince Albert Gardens with Love Soul Choir performing at 12 noon and 1 pm
- 1.30 pm: Swanage Bay Fish Lobster raffle draw at Prince Albert Gardens
- 4 pm to 5 pm: Build a boat race at the Stone Quay
- 6 pm to 11 pm: Bar and barbecue at Prince Albert Gardens with live music from Galaxy Thief at 7 pm and The Reptiles at 9 pm
Sunday 18th August
- 5.30 pm: Lifeboat church service at Swanage Pier
The 5k lighthouse loop was a popular lifeboat week event
Winners of the lifeboat week darts trophy at the Royal British Legion: Ricky King, John Hampton, Terry White and Brian Spillman, with Swanage lifeboat volunteer Becky Mack presenting the trophy(second from left)
“Very worthwhile week”
Setting up the annual Swanage Lifeboat Week in August takes a lot of organisation and once it’s over, the planning starts all over again in January for the following August.
It’s the major fundraising event for Swanage Lifeboat Station and regularly raises thousands of pounds for the RNLI.
Swanage Lifeboat Station coxswain Dave Turnbull said:
“The lifeboat crew put in a lot of work to make this week happen but we also rely on a team of non operational volunteers to help organise such a large event and we value all those who contribute.
“We would really welcome more volunteers to come on board, as there’s plenty to do behind the scenes during the planning stages but also during the week – even just by holding a bucket for donations – it all helps.
“It’s a very worthwhile week and it’s not all about fundraising. It’s also good for morale, brings us all together, and helps new recruits feel part of the team and have a broader understanding of what the RNLI is all about.
“The week also allows us to raise our profile, especially among different groups of people with the outdoor cinema and theatre production. This widens the great support that we get from the community and ultimately it all helps us to save lives at sea.”
The launch of Swanage’s first powered lifeboat, the Thomas Marksby, in July 1928
And the launch of Swanage’s latest lifeboat, the George Thomas Lacy on Thursday 15th August 2024 for lifeboat week
200th anniversary of the RNLI
The RNLI is celebrating 200 years since it was founded in 1824 by Sir William Hillary.
While it has retained its status as a voluntary organisation relying on donations and fundraising, a lot has changed over the years as safety has improved and boat design has developed.
There’s been a lifeboat station at Swanage since 1875 and the first Swanage lifeboat was a 35 foot by 9 foot wooden vessel with 10 oars called Charlotte Mary.
Now, of course in 2024, the station has two lifeboats, the inshore D class lifeboat named Roy Norgrove and the all weather Shannon class lifeboat named George Thomas Lacy.
Plenty of people turn out for the launch of the lifeboat despite the unseasonal August mizzle
Swanage Lifeboat Week helps raise the profile of the work that the volunteers do and connects with more people
More celebrations planned for 2025
Technology has also transformed the work of the RNLI. Dave Turnbull, who has been the Swanage coxswain for eight years and a member of the lifeboat crew for 31 years added:
“It’s amazing that the RNLI is 200 years old and things have certainly improved over time. Technology has made finding someone so much easier with mobile phones and personal locator beacons.
“If we know someone is in trouble and we have to do less searching, then we can just concentrate on the rescue.
“In 2025 it will be the 150th anniversary of Swanage Lifeboat Station and we’ve got a few things planned for next year, so if you’d like to get involved and volunteer to be part of those celebrations, just drop into the boat house for a chat. We’ve already got a small committee together, so watch this space!”
Further information
- More about Swanage Lifeboat Station on its website or Facebook page
