Recently, members of the Saundersfoot RNLI branch welcomed the organisation’s 200th special anniversary memorial scroll to the seaside village.
The ‘Connecting our Communities’ scroll, bearing the RNLI pledge, is making its way around RNLI communities throughout the UK and Ireland, where at each station, branch and shop, the scroll is being signed by representatives of the team.
The crew from Tenby lifeboat station were recently honoured to be visited by the RNLI's ‘Connecting our Communities’ relay-style event – one of the ways in which the charity is marking its 200th anniversary across 2024.
The pledge reads: ‘Whoever we are, wherever we are from, we are one crew, ready to save lives. We’re powered by passion, talent and kindness, like generations of selfless lifesavers before us. This is our watch, we lead the way, valuing each other, trusting each other, depending on one another, volunteering to face the storm together. Knowing that, with courage, nothing is impossible. That is what has always driven us to save every one we can. It's what makes every one of us a lifesaver.’
The Saundersfoot shop opened in 2023 and is the only new RNLI shop to open during the last twelve months. The branch was successful in its bid to have the Scroll visit the shop on September 23, as a way of marking its opening.
The One Crew was read out in the shop then the Scroll was signed by Liz Talboys, retiring retail manager.
Anjie Rook, RNLI Associate Director said: “By the end of the relay, we will have an important document which will become part of the charity’s history and a significant snapshot of the charity as it stands at 200 years old.”
Over the course of the scroll’s seven month journey, it will carry around 700 signatures.
Saundersfoot’s fundraisers continue a long tradition of almost 40 years in the village. Early souvenir sales were organised by Eileen Plester who sold them out of the boot of her car.
Pam Mortimer became the next souvenir secretary, running the stall at the top of the beach slipway and organising all sales in aid of the RNLI in Saundersfoot for many years.
Liz Talboys followed Pam and sales continued to grow. When the possibility of moving into a shop arose, Liz worked with the RNLI and in September 2023 a pop-up shop on the High Street opened.
The hard work of all the RNLI volunteers in Saundersfoot, past and present, has ensured the success of the shop which has now closed for a full refit, and due to re-open in December in time for Christmas.
Before then, there'll be a fundraising ‘Fish and Chip’ lunch at The Hean Castle Inn on Friday, November 29, from 12 noon to 3pm.
Entry to the lunch is by ticket only, and these will be available at the RNLI Shop and via James on 07824320145
On behalf of the RNLI, the Saundersfoot branch thanks everyone for all the support and encouragement they have received during this very busy year!