Those in peril on the sea, and indeed on inland waters too, have much to be grateful for in the services provided by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Wokingham PROBUS Club members meeting at Coppid Beech Hotel, Bracknell on Wednesday, February 6, were treated to a splendid audio visual presentation by RNLI Community Presenter, Colin Brown, covering the huge scope of RNLI services across the country.
This truly nationwide service, founded in 1824, is provided largely by unpaid volunteers and is financially dependent on charitable donations and not public funds.
Colin was at pains to dispel a common misconception, emphasising that the lifeboats were not provided by HM Coastguard service, but by the generosity of the public. RNLI has saved over 142,000 lives since its inception and rescued on average 23 people per day.
The latest boats, equipment and training facilities were shown with some scary real life footage of rescue missions in horrendous weather conditions. Latest technology in self righting boats was impressively demonstrated.
The service can amazingly provide rescue boat presence at an incident within 10 miles offshore within 30 minutes of a distress call.
The dedication of crews was chillingly illustrated by hearing the last radio messages of the ill fated Penlee lifeboat in 1981 when eight volunteer lifecrew perished in a Cornish rescue attempt.
As well as the dramatic work on the high seas the RNLI has an increasing role around beaches and inland waterways. In fact anywhere there is a water danger, including inland floods.
It was surprising to find the busiest RNLI station in the country is at Tower Pier in central London.
Colin, pictured left, was thanked by club Chairman John Briault, on the right, for his enthusiastic, entertaining and eye-opening presentation on the essential work of the lifeboat service.
PROBUS is a meeting place for retired or semi-retired professional and business people of either sex who assemble monthly in an informal and friendly atmosphere for social chat, a pleasant lunch and a talk on a general interest topic.
New members will be most welcome. Fees are modest, lunches good value and the company friendly with a wide range of experiences and interests from their varied working lives.
Meetings are on the first Wednesday of the month at 12.30pm for 1pm lunch, with a talk usually following. The meeting place is now Coppid Beech Hotel, John Nike Way, Bracknell RG12 8TF
Our next meeting, on Wednesday, March 6, will hear a talk life and works of the Berkshire artist, Stanley Spencer.
Prospective members will be most welcome to come and meet us, by prior arrangement please, and try us out without obligation. Please contact our Secretary, Hugh Dempster, on 0118 973 0332 or e-mail hughdempster66@gmail.com
David Hunter
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