Fowey Celebrates RNLI Bicentenary with Historic Scroll Event

Fowey is gearing up for a significant event on Saturday, April 6, as it hosts the RNLI Connecting our Communities Bicentenary Scroll. This event is part of a nationwide celebration marking 200 years of lifesaving efforts by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). Fowey’s selection as a host location comes at a time when the town is also celebrating 165 years of dedicated service by its own lifeboat station.

The Bicentenary Scroll, which is part of an Olympic Torch style relay, will be transported across the UK, symbolising the unity and shared history of the RNLI’s lifesaving work. Its arrival in Fowey is a proud moment for the community and the local lifeboat station, which has played a critical role in saving lives at sea.

To commemorate this historic occasion, the Fowey lifeboat station is organising a special Water Safety and Scroll Signing Day from 10am to 3pm. The event is open to the public, with the organisers hoping to attract a large turnout to witness and participate in the celebrations.
The day will be filled with activities aimed at promoting water safety and the work of the RNLI. Demonstrations by the D class crew on man overboard recovery techniques in Fowey harbour will be a highlight, alongside presentations by the coastguard and water safety teams on crucial topics such as cold water shock and the lifesaving ‘float to live’ technique. Additionally, there will be sessions on lifejacket maintenance, including servicing and checking, with TMS from Par offering spare parts for sale and a service booking facility for professional equipment maintenance.

Visitors will also have the rare opportunity to tour the all-weather lifeboat and learn more about the RNLI’s lifesaving work. The lifeboat shop will be open throughout the day, offering souvenirs and supporting the lifeboat station’s fundraising efforts. Entertainment will include music, refreshments, and a special appearance by Stormy Stan, the RNLI mascot.

A key moment of the day will be the scroll signing ceremony at 1pm, allowing community members to leave their mark on this unique piece of RNLI history. The day will conclude with the all-weather lifeboat launch at 3pm, carrying the signed scroll to Mevagissey for another signing ceremony, symbolising the continuous connection and support among communities served by the RNLI.

This event not only celebrates the RNLI’s bicentennial but also highlights the enduring spirit of volunteerism and community safety that has characterised the organisation’s lifesaving mission for two centuries.