Dedicated volunteers, Margaret Griffin and Biddy Midgley both 83, retired from duty at the Exmouth RNLI visitor experience centre on Queens Drive on 30 May.                                                    

In addition to working their weekly rota shifts, they also manned stalls at numerous outside events over many years. The ladies are still continuing to help at future events, such as Exmouth Open Days, which will be on 13 August this year.

Other shop volunteers threw a party at the end of their last shift, bringing in food and homemade cakes.

Margaret and Biddy received their long-service certificates, signed by Chief Executive, Paul Boissier and engraved crystal vases at the recent inshore lifeboat Naming Ceremony on 20 May. On their leaving day, they were presented with bouquets of roses and Sweet William. Exmouth RNLI Crew volunteers presented the ladies with a framed photo.

Shop Manager, Linda Cawsey said both ladies will be missed by the team:

‘Over their 23 years’ service, Margaret and Biddy have seen four inshore lifeboats, five all-weather lifeboats and a brand new lifeboat station in Exmouth. Before we moved into our new boathouse, shop volunteers worked inside the old lifeboat station alongside Crew volunteers. Their knowledge has helped me in my initial period as joint Manager with all their valuable experience and they will be greatly missed.’