Falmouth RNLI volunteers recognised for over 450 collective years in service
What a dedication to helping save lives at sea!
Falmouth RNLI volunteers have been recognised for over 450 collective years spent in service to help save lives at sea.
The town's lifeboat station has many dedicated volunteers who give their time in many aspects of supporting the RNLI, from lifeboat crew to fundraising, press officers, boat guides and water-safety officers.
In recognition of this incredible commitment to helping save lives at sea, long-service medals have been presented to 15 volunteers who have passed significant milestones at Falmouth station, totalling over 450 years of service between them.
Awards have been allocated to Dave Nicoll (40 years), Andy Angove (40 years), Alan Rowe (just under 29 years), Nick Lewis (35 years), Jonathon Blakeston (25 years), Carl Beardmore (28 years), Tom Bird (19 years), Dave Proud (27 years), Pauline Allday (40 years), Josephine Bee (50 years), Elizabeth Bee (30 years), John Bennett (20 years), Simon Culliford (30 years), Chris Ruberry (20 years) and Mike Yarnell (20 years).
Nick Lewis, Falmouth Lifeboat Operations Manager who himself received a long-service award for over 30 years of volunteering at Falmouth station, said:
“All our volunteers play a vital role in every launch, rescue, and life saved. Without the dedication of our boat crew, shore crew, fundraising teams, and many more besides, we wouldn't have been able to serve the community of Falmouth for over 150 years. Even in this strangest of years, our volunteers have gone above and beyond, launching our lifeboats over 80 times, and it's wonderful to see this commitment recognised for these dedicated individuals. Thank you to all of them on behalf of all of us at Falmouth lifeboat station.”
Two volunteers, in particular, have been recognised in 2020 for their incredible commitment to helping save lives at sea. Long-service medals for 40 years of volunteering have been presented to Dave Nicoll and Andy (Snowy) Angove.
Jonathon Blakeston, Falmouth RNLI Coxswain and recipient of a long-service award for 25 years, said of Dave Nicoll and Snowy Angove's long service medal presentation:
“Dave and Snowy have served Falmouth lifeboat for the last 40 years, with Dave serving solidly in that time on the crew responding to shouts and training the forefront of the next generation of crew. I have nothing but admiration for the level of commitment and enthusiasm shown by both these men. A truly remarkable achievement that they should be immensely proud of what they have done for Falmouth and the wider RNLI.”
Whilst the intended formal presentation was unable to go ahead this Autumn, the awards have now been received by these members of the station, and it is hoped that a celebration will be able to take place in time.