24 Apr 2006 - Penlee newsletter
PENLEE NEWSLETTER 52
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
10th May Wharf Road shop opens for the season. Volunteers always very welcome.
26/27th May Tesco collection.
16th June Special Presentation to Jim Hodge, Queens Hotel
18th June Sponsored Walk
23rd July Summer Fete, Newlyn Green
7-11th August House-to-house collection.
10th August Flag Day
12th Aug Crew Day, Mousehole
13th August Annual Service, Mousehole
20th August Gala Day, Penzance Promenade
2nd December Coffee morning and Christmas card sale, St Johns Hall
APOLOGIES
Sorry, no newsletter last autumn as all my spare time was taken up with preparations for the launch of the book (see below). So lots of catching up to do. Hopefully it won?t happen again?
LIFEBOAT SERVICES
And more apologies, as the hard drive on Penlee?s computer rolled over and died during the winter, with all the detailed service records on it. Copies exist of course at Poole and if anyone is desperate for better information on any of the below please contact me. This is a full but briefer than usual summary of shouts since 1st May 2005.
9th May 2005 ALB
Launched after receiving a report of a vessel on fire near Lands End, but recalled after a second message saying all was well.
21st May ALB
A hard night?s work. Called to the FV Valhalla which was drifting with a fouled propeller 27 miles south of Mounts Bay in a full westerly gale. Launching at 22.30 the Ivan Ellen made fast the tow in rough conditions and brought the Valhalla slowly home, reaching Newlyn at 04.10.
26th May ILB
A quick evening trip to a diving rib broken down by Low Lee buoy, towed into Penzance.
27th May ILB
Another evening call to the small fishing boat Linda B which had broken down off Mousehole. I spotted her enjoying her faster-than-usual trip back to Newlyn behind the Paul Alexander.
29th May ILB
Two children cut off by the tide at Marazion were picked up by the ILB and landed safely on the beach.
30th May ILB
For a seventh shout in May the ILB was called to a windsurfer in trouble but recalled
on the way.
10th June ALB
On a pleasant June morning Ivan Ellen popped out to Lands End to collect the small FV Sara Steve which had broken down. It?s not all hard work?
15th June ILB
?But it can be, and the ILB had a rough journey to Prussia Cove to the aid of a windsurfer in difficulties. The casualty was picked up by helicopter, and the ILB very decently recovered the board.
19th June ALB
While at sea Ivan Ellen was called to a small yacht off Marazion, but found her safe and sound.
20th June ILB
Another diving rib suffered a breakdown off Low Lee and was towed into Penzance.
6th July ILB
An almost traditional shout to people cut off on the rocks just west of Mousehole. They were taken off and dropped back in Mousehole.
6th July ILB
Shortly afterwards at tea-time the ILB was called to another person cut off at Marazion, but recalled after he was rescued by another boat.
13th July ILB /ALB
A similar but far more serious incident a mile to the west of Mousehole involving two people, one of whom had suffered a fall and was injured. Fortunately sea conditions were flat and the ILB was able to get in close to take the casualties off. They were then transferred to Ivan Ellen for first aid and taken back to meet an ambulance at Newlyn.
19th July ILB
A careful tow of a 7 metre yacht which had broken down in a dangerous position near Perranuthnoe in a stiff westerly, force 5. Paul Alexander delivered her safely back into Penzance.
8th August ILB
A straightforward tow-in of a power boat broken down off Lamorna, taken into Penzance
11th August ILB
Jetskis ? don?t you love them ? break down too, and this one needed a tow back to Marazion beach after conking out in an offshore wind.
21st August ILB
An evening call to two people cut off on rocks at Kenegie, taken off and dropped on the beach
24th August ILB
A windsurfer out in a south-westerly force 6 got into difficulties off Marazion beach, and the ILB had a lively trip across the bay to pick him up and land him back ashore.
26th August ILB /ALB
What looked like a major incident involving a child in the water off Penzance turned out to be a malicious hoax. There are words for people like that, but none suitable for this newsletter?
30th August ILB
A small rib broke down off Perranuthnoe in a moderate onshore wind, and must have been glad to see the Paul Alexander turn up to tow her back to Penzance
15th Sept ALB
After the summer fun a more serious job, a six-hour service to a French fishing vessel which had lost power15 miles south of the station and was taking in water in a force 6 south westerly wind and rough sea. The crew paused to pump the vessel for safety before taking her in tow, bringing her slowly but surely back to Newlyn.
21st Sept ILB
A far gentler call to the small FV Two Boys which had fouled her propellor 7 miles to the south.
16th Oct ALB
Local FV Alvic broken down off Mousehole, towed home by Ivan Ellen
17th Oct ALB
Out again the next day in stiffer conditions to tow in the local FV Barbican Maid, which had fouled her propeller 3 miles to the south.
28th Oct ILB /ALB
A full-on search in very choppy conditions for a jetski reported missing off Marazion beach, involving both lifeboats and a helicopter. The casualty was found safe and well on the beach.
2006
1st Jan ILB /ALB
Happy new year, with a search by both lifeboats and a Coastguard shore party for two people reported in trouble on the rocks west of Mousehole. No-one found.
5th Jan ILB
A tense call shortly after midnight to Penzance quay where a person was threatening to jump into the water. The police eventually managed to talk the casualty out of it, and the lifeboat stood down at 01.20.
11th Feb ILB
The yacht Alli Cat was drifting ashore in a light south-easter off Penzance harbour and needed the services of the ILB to avoid beaching on Eastern Green
DOUBLE HONOURS
First mention must go to our two celebrities, Janet Madron and Jim Hodge, who were both awarded exceptional honours in the RNLI?s new year list. Janet was awarded the Institution?s Gold Badge, to follow the silver badge she received in 2000. Jim was selected for the rare honour of Honorary Life Governership, a discretionary award which has only been granted previously to two notable servants of Penlee, Barrie Bennetts in 1957 and Del Johnson shortly before his untimely death in 2002.
Jim?s involvement with Penlee started shortly after his arrival in Cornwall in 1960. Although not a seaman himself his ancestors include a number of sea-captains, and notably a father and son who both served as coxswain on the Plymouth lifeboat. He soon accepted the post of treasurer which he held for more years than he can remember, before being elected the Branch President. Due to his health Jim cannot go to London to collect the award in person ? it will be accepted on his behalf by his daughter Alison ? and so the branch will be expressing their gratitude with a special presentation evening in the Queens Hotel on 16th June.
Janet?s service record goes back to 1970 when, shortly after her honeymoon, she was recruited into the Guild where she has served ever since. Her proper title is now Chair of the Fund-Raising Team (see below) and even a gold badge scarcely rewards the prodigious amount of time, effort and commitment she has given to Penlee over the years. Janet will be collecting her award in London in May, and we will be celebrating that on the 16th also.
I know I speak for the whole station in expressing our pleasure and congratulations at these well-deserved awards.
NEW ORDER
It?s been a long and rather uncomfortable time since the previous constitution of the branch was invited to abolish itself, and did so without a sign of a new structure to take its place. I?m glad to report that the formalities have now been completed and the new structure of the branch is now confirmed. Obviously the Lifeboat Operations Team has not altered and has continued to operate as usual. We still retain the honorary offices of President (Jim Hodge) and Vice-President (Lord St Levan) and our two chaplains. The Lifeboat Management Team consists of :
Lifeboat Operations Manager ? Andrew Munson; Chair ? Mike Hersant; Vice-Chair ? Eric Taylor; Chair of Fund-Raising Team ? Janet Madron; Representative of Sales Team ? Rosalie Johnson; Treasurer ? Liz Harris: Adminstration Officer (and DLA) ? Roy Pascoe; Lifeboat Press Officer ? Mike Sagar-Fenton.
On 21st March the inaugural AGM of the new Fund-Raising Team took place at the Queens Hotel. The Fund-Raising Team now consists of:
Chair - Janet Madron; Vice-Chair ? Eric Taylor; Honorary Secretary ? Rosalie Johnson; Treasurer ? Liz Harris; Box Secretary ? Binkie Wallen.
The team has a committee of ten which includes all the above plus Peter Harris, Maragret Pascoe, Ruth Johns, Barbara Braithwaite and Mary Pentreath.
I?m pleased to say that the Public Relations Team has doubled in size, as Penzance?s answer to Richard Dimbleby ? I refer of course to Penlee?s good friend Peter Collins ? has agreed to come on board with me.
The Ladies Guild and the Men?s Committee are no more. However we feel about these changes, we had little alternative but to accept them. Our job now is to make ourselves as useful within the existing structure as possible, and this could mean helping with fund-raising, helping physically with the setting up and taking down of stalls etc, collecting, helping in the shop and on the lifeboat stalls, devising new fund-raising ideas, contributing to this newsletter (or taking it over??), or just dropping into the boathouse to introduce yourselves and having a chat with the boys. Let no-one say there?s nothing for them to do.
I?d like to add a personal thanks to Mike Hersant for carrying on the job of Chair in the interim and continuing to provide his usual wisdom and guidance despite the lack of official confirmation from you-know-where.
Let?s hope now for a bit of peace and quiet to get on with the job
FAST BOAT TO CHINA
Despite his youthful good looks Neil is now one of the more experienced coxswains in the RNLI, and was selected for the important task of training some of the coxswains and crews for the fleet of Arun class lifeboats bought by the Chinese Salvage and Rescue Service. Accordingly late last year he went, along with ex Isles of Scilly mechanic Andy Brown, for a month?s placement in Shanghai.
The Chinese service was previously based more on salvage than rescue and consisted mostly of large tugs, but the purchase of the Aruns clearly signalled a change to a more rescue-based service like the RNLI. Neil found the crews to be highly competent and adaptable, although it was a considerable challenge for them to go out in rough conditions in such a relatively small vessel.
The natives were extremely friendly, almost too much so, and the Cornish boys were made very welcome. One local asked if Neil and Andy were brothers, and when they replied in the negative said ? honestly ? ?Sorry, but you all look the same to us.?
Overall the trip was great success, and before they left one of the Aruns went out on a shout, rescuing four, a fitting climax to an interesting encounter. Neil got home just in time for Christmas and some proper English food.
JAMES ON THE AIR
James Taylor is a plucky lad, and in addition to his normal duties as a regular crew-member he has agreed to be one of the five Cornish volunteers sponsored throughout 2006 by BBC Radio Cornwall?s excellent Sea Sense campaign. James isn?t sure yet just what is involved, but the BBC will be following his progress throughout the year and getting the lowdown on what it really means to be a crew-member at Penlee. Listen up everybody, I reckon a star is born?
The campaign was kicked off by a hour?s live outside broadcast from Penlee with Tamsin Thomas and many of the crew. I missed most of it but the reports I heard said it was very good, funny and true to life.
The BBC has surpassed itself recently, especially with the coverage of the new beach rescue services. The coverage of the tide-rip at Perranporth when 45 people had to be snatched from the water in quick succession was amazing.
THE BOOK!
?is out at last. Thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, ?Penlee Lifeboat ? The First 200 Years? was launched at the Mission last November at a packed meeting which rarely included the whole Penlee family, helpers, crew and all. We should get together more often. I had envisaged it selling mostly through the branch outlets, but the local shops were very keen to stock it also, especially in the run-up to Christmas, and an enormous quantity was sold. Books Plus in Penzance did especially well. We are already well over half-way to covering our costs, before its first summer.
A special thank-you must go to David at Baron?s Newsagents in Newlyn. When he discovered the book was in aid of Penlee funds he refused to take any discount and handed over the whole of the sale receipts to us. If anyone wants to buy one when our own shop is shut, do buy it there. I am very grateful to everyone who helped to bring the project to fruition, especially all at Headland Printers, and lifeboat enthusiast Nicholas Leach from Birmingham who provided the fabulous cover photograph as well as several others and absolutely refused any payment. Please promote it whenever you can.
WHERE?S THE LIFEBOAT?
The answer at moment is : tied up at the end of the Mary Williams pier. The nice ramp and pontoon didn?t last long before the march of progress took over. The whole harbour is being renovated, revamped, dredged, and put back together all different. The boathouse will stay in the same place however, and ?Ivan Ellen? will eventually take her place directly below, pointing a different way and accessed from the new complex of pontoons due to be installed. But in the meanwhile she?s tied up like a trawler amongst the fishing boats. We?re not expecting to see her landing mackerel, but you never know.
25 YEARS
It won?t have escaped anyone?s attention that this year is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the loss of the eight crew of the ?Solomon Browne?. That is a matter of private reflection for all concerned with Penlee, but of course it is also the trigger for a great deal of outside attention.
Our main task this year ? certainly mine ? is to deal courteously with anyone interested in that event, but also to prevent any hounding of relatives or close friends of the lost crew. After discussion we have decided to commemorate the anniversary in the usual way, and any enquirers should be directed to the annual Lifeboat Service on 13th August or the Act of Remembrance at Morning Service at Paul on 17th December.
A BBC film crew has been busy preparing a 60-minute prime-time documentary to be shown sometime this summer. Their attitude has been exemplary, and I am sure the resulting programme will do the subject justice.
The continuing interest and awareness of the disaster is quite phenomenal after so long. I am currently aware of a forthcoming CD, stage play, possible feature film, art exhibition, and no doubt many features and articles throughout the coming year. Like many others I have mixed feelings about it all. On one hand it will always feel like ?here-we-go-again?, another intrusion into private grief, taking people back again and again to one of the saddest days of their lives. On the other hand it is clearly still an inspiration to thousands, some of whom were not even born at the time. I am always at pains to stress that Penlee was not something which ended in 1981 but goes on, proud of its heritage but looking forward to the future. But the courage and ultimate sacrifice of the ?Solomon Browne?s? crew represents something of the best of human nature, and it is, however we feel about it, in the public domain. This of course makes it no easier for their families who will be glad when this anniversary year is over. For the rest of us it?s a balancing act, but looking after our own people will always be the highest priority.
THANKS
? to everyone for another fantastic fun-raising year; to the crew for the time they spend training and studying as well as bombing around the bay; to all who helped with the book; to old or absent friends, like Stan & Peggy; to the sponsored walkers; to the Godolphin Arms for putting on a gala charity night for us; to Godolphin Hill nursery for supplying us with rose-bushes for the Memorial Garden and then refusing payment when they found out what they were for; to all the other organisations and individuals who have supported us over the last year; and to all others who give their money or time in the cause. Don?t forget to keep up with events by visiting www.penlee-lifeboat.ik.com
Any news, comments or advice as usual to :
Mike Sagar-Fenton Kemyel Crease Paul Penzance TR19 6NP
Telephone 01736 731589
E-mail : mikesagar-fenton@hotmail.co.uk
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
10th May Wharf Road shop opens for the season. Volunteers always very welcome.
26/27th May Tesco collection.
16th June Special Presentation to Jim Hodge, Queens Hotel
18th June Sponsored Walk
23rd July Summer Fete, Newlyn Green
7-11th August House-to-house collection.
10th August Flag Day
12th Aug Crew Day, Mousehole
13th August Annual Service, Mousehole
20th August Gala Day, Penzance Promenade
2nd December Coffee morning and Christmas card sale, St Johns Hall
APOLOGIES
Sorry, no newsletter last autumn as all my spare time was taken up with preparations for the launch of the book (see below). So lots of catching up to do. Hopefully it won?t happen again?
LIFEBOAT SERVICES
And more apologies, as the hard drive on Penlee?s computer rolled over and died during the winter, with all the detailed service records on it. Copies exist of course at Poole and if anyone is desperate for better information on any of the below please contact me. This is a full but briefer than usual summary of shouts since 1st May 2005.
9th May 2005 ALB
Launched after receiving a report of a vessel on fire near Lands End, but recalled after a second message saying all was well.
21st May ALB
A hard night?s work. Called to the FV Valhalla which was drifting with a fouled propeller 27 miles south of Mounts Bay in a full westerly gale. Launching at 22.30 the Ivan Ellen made fast the tow in rough conditions and brought the Valhalla slowly home, reaching Newlyn at 04.10.
26th May ILB
A quick evening trip to a diving rib broken down by Low Lee buoy, towed into Penzance.
27th May ILB
Another evening call to the small fishing boat Linda B which had broken down off Mousehole. I spotted her enjoying her faster-than-usual trip back to Newlyn behind the Paul Alexander.
29th May ILB
Two children cut off by the tide at Marazion were picked up by the ILB and landed safely on the beach.
30th May ILB
For a seventh shout in May the ILB was called to a windsurfer in trouble but recalled
on the way.
10th June ALB
On a pleasant June morning Ivan Ellen popped out to Lands End to collect the small FV Sara Steve which had broken down. It?s not all hard work?
15th June ILB
?But it can be, and the ILB had a rough journey to Prussia Cove to the aid of a windsurfer in difficulties. The casualty was picked up by helicopter, and the ILB very decently recovered the board.
19th June ALB
While at sea Ivan Ellen was called to a small yacht off Marazion, but found her safe and sound.
20th June ILB
Another diving rib suffered a breakdown off Low Lee and was towed into Penzance.
6th July ILB
An almost traditional shout to people cut off on the rocks just west of Mousehole. They were taken off and dropped back in Mousehole.
6th July ILB
Shortly afterwards at tea-time the ILB was called to another person cut off at Marazion, but recalled after he was rescued by another boat.
13th July ILB /ALB
A similar but far more serious incident a mile to the west of Mousehole involving two people, one of whom had suffered a fall and was injured. Fortunately sea conditions were flat and the ILB was able to get in close to take the casualties off. They were then transferred to Ivan Ellen for first aid and taken back to meet an ambulance at Newlyn.
19th July ILB
A careful tow of a 7 metre yacht which had broken down in a dangerous position near Perranuthnoe in a stiff westerly, force 5. Paul Alexander delivered her safely back into Penzance.
8th August ILB
A straightforward tow-in of a power boat broken down off Lamorna, taken into Penzance
11th August ILB
Jetskis ? don?t you love them ? break down too, and this one needed a tow back to Marazion beach after conking out in an offshore wind.
21st August ILB
An evening call to two people cut off on rocks at Kenegie, taken off and dropped on the beach
24th August ILB
A windsurfer out in a south-westerly force 6 got into difficulties off Marazion beach, and the ILB had a lively trip across the bay to pick him up and land him back ashore.
26th August ILB /ALB
What looked like a major incident involving a child in the water off Penzance turned out to be a malicious hoax. There are words for people like that, but none suitable for this newsletter?
30th August ILB
A small rib broke down off Perranuthnoe in a moderate onshore wind, and must have been glad to see the Paul Alexander turn up to tow her back to Penzance
15th Sept ALB
After the summer fun a more serious job, a six-hour service to a French fishing vessel which had lost power15 miles south of the station and was taking in water in a force 6 south westerly wind and rough sea. The crew paused to pump the vessel for safety before taking her in tow, bringing her slowly but surely back to Newlyn.
21st Sept ILB
A far gentler call to the small FV Two Boys which had fouled her propellor 7 miles to the south.
16th Oct ALB
Local FV Alvic broken down off Mousehole, towed home by Ivan Ellen
17th Oct ALB
Out again the next day in stiffer conditions to tow in the local FV Barbican Maid, which had fouled her propeller 3 miles to the south.
28th Oct ILB /ALB
A full-on search in very choppy conditions for a jetski reported missing off Marazion beach, involving both lifeboats and a helicopter. The casualty was found safe and well on the beach.
2006
1st Jan ILB /ALB
Happy new year, with a search by both lifeboats and a Coastguard shore party for two people reported in trouble on the rocks west of Mousehole. No-one found.
5th Jan ILB
A tense call shortly after midnight to Penzance quay where a person was threatening to jump into the water. The police eventually managed to talk the casualty out of it, and the lifeboat stood down at 01.20.
11th Feb ILB
The yacht Alli Cat was drifting ashore in a light south-easter off Penzance harbour and needed the services of the ILB to avoid beaching on Eastern Green
DOUBLE HONOURS
First mention must go to our two celebrities, Janet Madron and Jim Hodge, who were both awarded exceptional honours in the RNLI?s new year list. Janet was awarded the Institution?s Gold Badge, to follow the silver badge she received in 2000. Jim was selected for the rare honour of Honorary Life Governership, a discretionary award which has only been granted previously to two notable servants of Penlee, Barrie Bennetts in 1957 and Del Johnson shortly before his untimely death in 2002.
Jim?s involvement with Penlee started shortly after his arrival in Cornwall in 1960. Although not a seaman himself his ancestors include a number of sea-captains, and notably a father and son who both served as coxswain on the Plymouth lifeboat. He soon accepted the post of treasurer which he held for more years than he can remember, before being elected the Branch President. Due to his health Jim cannot go to London to collect the award in person ? it will be accepted on his behalf by his daughter Alison ? and so the branch will be expressing their gratitude with a special presentation evening in the Queens Hotel on 16th June.
Janet?s service record goes back to 1970 when, shortly after her honeymoon, she was recruited into the Guild where she has served ever since. Her proper title is now Chair of the Fund-Raising Team (see below) and even a gold badge scarcely rewards the prodigious amount of time, effort and commitment she has given to Penlee over the years. Janet will be collecting her award in London in May, and we will be celebrating that on the 16th also.
I know I speak for the whole station in expressing our pleasure and congratulations at these well-deserved awards.
NEW ORDER
It?s been a long and rather uncomfortable time since the previous constitution of the branch was invited to abolish itself, and did so without a sign of a new structure to take its place. I?m glad to report that the formalities have now been completed and the new structure of the branch is now confirmed. Obviously the Lifeboat Operations Team has not altered and has continued to operate as usual. We still retain the honorary offices of President (Jim Hodge) and Vice-President (Lord St Levan) and our two chaplains. The Lifeboat Management Team consists of :
Lifeboat Operations Manager ? Andrew Munson; Chair ? Mike Hersant; Vice-Chair ? Eric Taylor; Chair of Fund-Raising Team ? Janet Madron; Representative of Sales Team ? Rosalie Johnson; Treasurer ? Liz Harris: Adminstration Officer (and DLA) ? Roy Pascoe; Lifeboat Press Officer ? Mike Sagar-Fenton.
On 21st March the inaugural AGM of the new Fund-Raising Team took place at the Queens Hotel. The Fund-Raising Team now consists of:
Chair - Janet Madron; Vice-Chair ? Eric Taylor; Honorary Secretary ? Rosalie Johnson; Treasurer ? Liz Harris; Box Secretary ? Binkie Wallen.
The team has a committee of ten which includes all the above plus Peter Harris, Maragret Pascoe, Ruth Johns, Barbara Braithwaite and Mary Pentreath.
I?m pleased to say that the Public Relations Team has doubled in size, as Penzance?s answer to Richard Dimbleby ? I refer of course to Penlee?s good friend Peter Collins ? has agreed to come on board with me.
The Ladies Guild and the Men?s Committee are no more. However we feel about these changes, we had little alternative but to accept them. Our job now is to make ourselves as useful within the existing structure as possible, and this could mean helping with fund-raising, helping physically with the setting up and taking down of stalls etc, collecting, helping in the shop and on the lifeboat stalls, devising new fund-raising ideas, contributing to this newsletter (or taking it over??), or just dropping into the boathouse to introduce yourselves and having a chat with the boys. Let no-one say there?s nothing for them to do.
I?d like to add a personal thanks to Mike Hersant for carrying on the job of Chair in the interim and continuing to provide his usual wisdom and guidance despite the lack of official confirmation from you-know-where.
Let?s hope now for a bit of peace and quiet to get on with the job
FAST BOAT TO CHINA
Despite his youthful good looks Neil is now one of the more experienced coxswains in the RNLI, and was selected for the important task of training some of the coxswains and crews for the fleet of Arun class lifeboats bought by the Chinese Salvage and Rescue Service. Accordingly late last year he went, along with ex Isles of Scilly mechanic Andy Brown, for a month?s placement in Shanghai.
The Chinese service was previously based more on salvage than rescue and consisted mostly of large tugs, but the purchase of the Aruns clearly signalled a change to a more rescue-based service like the RNLI. Neil found the crews to be highly competent and adaptable, although it was a considerable challenge for them to go out in rough conditions in such a relatively small vessel.
The natives were extremely friendly, almost too much so, and the Cornish boys were made very welcome. One local asked if Neil and Andy were brothers, and when they replied in the negative said ? honestly ? ?Sorry, but you all look the same to us.?
Overall the trip was great success, and before they left one of the Aruns went out on a shout, rescuing four, a fitting climax to an interesting encounter. Neil got home just in time for Christmas and some proper English food.
JAMES ON THE AIR
James Taylor is a plucky lad, and in addition to his normal duties as a regular crew-member he has agreed to be one of the five Cornish volunteers sponsored throughout 2006 by BBC Radio Cornwall?s excellent Sea Sense campaign. James isn?t sure yet just what is involved, but the BBC will be following his progress throughout the year and getting the lowdown on what it really means to be a crew-member at Penlee. Listen up everybody, I reckon a star is born?
The campaign was kicked off by a hour?s live outside broadcast from Penlee with Tamsin Thomas and many of the crew. I missed most of it but the reports I heard said it was very good, funny and true to life.
The BBC has surpassed itself recently, especially with the coverage of the new beach rescue services. The coverage of the tide-rip at Perranporth when 45 people had to be snatched from the water in quick succession was amazing.
THE BOOK!
?is out at last. Thanks to the generosity of its sponsors, ?Penlee Lifeboat ? The First 200 Years? was launched at the Mission last November at a packed meeting which rarely included the whole Penlee family, helpers, crew and all. We should get together more often. I had envisaged it selling mostly through the branch outlets, but the local shops were very keen to stock it also, especially in the run-up to Christmas, and an enormous quantity was sold. Books Plus in Penzance did especially well. We are already well over half-way to covering our costs, before its first summer.
A special thank-you must go to David at Baron?s Newsagents in Newlyn. When he discovered the book was in aid of Penlee funds he refused to take any discount and handed over the whole of the sale receipts to us. If anyone wants to buy one when our own shop is shut, do buy it there. I am very grateful to everyone who helped to bring the project to fruition, especially all at Headland Printers, and lifeboat enthusiast Nicholas Leach from Birmingham who provided the fabulous cover photograph as well as several others and absolutely refused any payment. Please promote it whenever you can.
WHERE?S THE LIFEBOAT?
The answer at moment is : tied up at the end of the Mary Williams pier. The nice ramp and pontoon didn?t last long before the march of progress took over. The whole harbour is being renovated, revamped, dredged, and put back together all different. The boathouse will stay in the same place however, and ?Ivan Ellen? will eventually take her place directly below, pointing a different way and accessed from the new complex of pontoons due to be installed. But in the meanwhile she?s tied up like a trawler amongst the fishing boats. We?re not expecting to see her landing mackerel, but you never know.
25 YEARS
It won?t have escaped anyone?s attention that this year is the twenty-fifth anniversary of the loss of the eight crew of the ?Solomon Browne?. That is a matter of private reflection for all concerned with Penlee, but of course it is also the trigger for a great deal of outside attention.
Our main task this year ? certainly mine ? is to deal courteously with anyone interested in that event, but also to prevent any hounding of relatives or close friends of the lost crew. After discussion we have decided to commemorate the anniversary in the usual way, and any enquirers should be directed to the annual Lifeboat Service on 13th August or the Act of Remembrance at Morning Service at Paul on 17th December.
A BBC film crew has been busy preparing a 60-minute prime-time documentary to be shown sometime this summer. Their attitude has been exemplary, and I am sure the resulting programme will do the subject justice.
The continuing interest and awareness of the disaster is quite phenomenal after so long. I am currently aware of a forthcoming CD, stage play, possible feature film, art exhibition, and no doubt many features and articles throughout the coming year. Like many others I have mixed feelings about it all. On one hand it will always feel like ?here-we-go-again?, another intrusion into private grief, taking people back again and again to one of the saddest days of their lives. On the other hand it is clearly still an inspiration to thousands, some of whom were not even born at the time. I am always at pains to stress that Penlee was not something which ended in 1981 but goes on, proud of its heritage but looking forward to the future. But the courage and ultimate sacrifice of the ?Solomon Browne?s? crew represents something of the best of human nature, and it is, however we feel about it, in the public domain. This of course makes it no easier for their families who will be glad when this anniversary year is over. For the rest of us it?s a balancing act, but looking after our own people will always be the highest priority.
THANKS
? to everyone for another fantastic fun-raising year; to the crew for the time they spend training and studying as well as bombing around the bay; to all who helped with the book; to old or absent friends, like Stan & Peggy; to the sponsored walkers; to the Godolphin Arms for putting on a gala charity night for us; to Godolphin Hill nursery for supplying us with rose-bushes for the Memorial Garden and then refusing payment when they found out what they were for; to all the other organisations and individuals who have supported us over the last year; and to all others who give their money or time in the cause. Don?t forget to keep up with events by visiting www.penlee-lifeboat.ik.com
Any news, comments or advice as usual to :
Mike Sagar-Fenton Kemyel Crease Paul Penzance TR19 6NP
Telephone 01736 731589
E-mail : mikesagar-fenton@hotmail.co.uk