Ingenious Upcycling: Fowey Volunteers Transform Pontoon into Stage for RNLI’s 200th Celebration

In a remarkable display of creativity and resourcefulness, the volunteers at Fowey lifeboat station, in collaboration with Fowey Harbour Commissioners, have repurposed an old pontoon into a stage for the RNLI’s 200th celebration event on Friday, 2nd August.

This unique transformation addresses the need for a stage to host a live music performance by the band Joey the Lips at Fowey Town Quay.

The pontoon, which has had multiple roles in its lifetime, was originally used at the Pandora Inn as an outdoor seating area. After being replaced seven years ago, it was given to Fowey Harbour Commissioners and subsequently became a base for a commercial fleet of diving vessels owned by a lifeboat crew member. When the pontoon was slated for scrapping, the commissioners offered it to the lifeboat station volunteers, who have since been busy upcycling it at Brazen Island in Polruan.

A Nautical-Themed Transformation

In keeping with the nautical theme, the volunteers are calling for old sails to patch together into a canopy for the stage. The 2.5-tonne structure will be craned onto Fowey Town Quay on Thursday, 1 August, in preparation for the event the following day.

The upcycled stage will be the centrepiece of the celebration, which includes lifeboat tours, a historical exhibition of 165 years of Fowey lifeboats, live music by Joey the Lips at 7.45 pm, and a fireworks display at 9.45 pm over Fowey harbour.

Photo: Work starts on the transformation of the pontoon – Credit: Fowey RNLI

Community Support and Sponsorship

Cathy Baillie, Fowey Lifeboat Press Officer, expressed gratitude for the support received. “This year the RNLI is commemorating 200 years of saving lives at sea. At Fowey lifeboat station, our volunteers wanted to hold a celebration to mark the event. We are extremely grateful to Fowey Harbour Commissioners for all their help with the stage. We’d also like to thank our sponsors, as the event would not have been possible without their generosity.”

Special thanks were extended to Horizon Architectural Glazing for sponsoring the firework display, and to Platinum sponsors Fowey Harbour Commissioners, Imerys, and Toms Boatyard Polruan. Additional appreciation was given to Bristol Private Office Services, Four Turnings Garage, Mor Interiors, Niles Bakery, and Richards Fruit and Veg.

For more details on the Fowey Lifeboats 165 Years Exhibition or the Fowey RNLI Lifeboat Week, click the links.

Join the community in celebrating this historic milestone with an evening of music, history, and fireworks, all made possible by the inventive spirit and hard work of Fowey’s lifeboat volunteers and their supporters.

Photo: The volunteers are now in need of old sails to create a nautical themed canopy for the stage – Credit: Fowey RNLI