Volunteer fundraisers and crew members braved the icy elements on Thursday 2nd December to gather in the boathouse on a windswept promenade at Barmouth. A thank-you coffee-morning had been arranged to acknowledge the hard work and dedication put in by members of the Fundraising Committee over the year.
Coxswain Peter Davies gave a vote of thanks to the fundraisers for their efforts whose valuable support, he said, helps to raise funds to train and equip the volunteer lifeboat crew. With the Lifeboat flag lowered to half mast, the coxswain also had the sad duty of informing the gathering that Cedric Griffith, a former coxswain of Barmouth Lifeboat Station, had passed away earlier that morning. Cedric was a crew member between 1981 and 1993 and a popular coxswain from 1991 to 1993. Peter asked those present to stand for a minute’s silence as a mark of respect for their former coxswain and friend.
Wendy Ponsford, Chairman of the Fundraising Committee, offered a special vote of thanks to June Davies who manages the RNLI souvenir shop. June thanked the volunteers who man the shop throughout the summer season and noted that, because of illness of some volunteers, a dedicated few had put in extra shifts though out the year. If you would be interested in helping out with an occasional voluntary two-hour shift in the souvenir shop next year, you can do so by contacting June Davies on 01341 280 532.
Future RNLI events at Barmouth include an SOS sponsored walk on Friday 28th January 2011. Because of the tide on that day, this ‘Saunter on the Sands’ will be shorter than last year. It will be followed by a thank-you bowl of soup at the Lifeboat house afterwards.
Some of the RNLI crew will also be taking a New Year’s Day dip in the sea at 11 a.m. on January 1st to raise funds for the RNLI. This is to be followed by a well-earned and warming barbecue. So if you are planning a New Year’s Day walk along the promenade, come along to support our crew! The canon will also be fired on this day in memory of ex-coxswain Keith Allday and crew member Allan Massey who so tragically lost their lives in Barmouth harbour six years ago.
