The RNLI Bronze Medal for Gallantry is to be presented to Exmouth crew volunteer Roger Jackson (43) following the rescue of four people from a capsized powerboat last October. At a meeting of the charity’s Trustees this week it was agreed that the award acknowledged Roger’s exemplary command and leadership, boat-handling skill and tenacity in exceptional conditions. The Thanks of the Institution inscribed on Vellum will also be presented to Exmouth crew volunteers Mark Champion (32) and Andrew Williams (32) for their role during the same incident.

The story unfolded late in the afternoon on Sunday 23 October 2011 when reports came in of people in the water after a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) capsized in the River Exe estuary. Knowing four people were in the water and in immediate danger, it was decided to launch the Exmouth RNLI D class inshore lifeboat George Bearman, despite a near gale force onshore wind from the south east.

RNLI volunteers Roger Jackson (Helm), Mark Champion and Andrew Williams launched the lifeboat through surf of a metre and a half. As the three lifeboat crew reached the main part of the channel, they were immediately battling harsh conditions.  At one stage they had to work hard to keep the lifeboat upright, while Roger Jackson negotiated the safest route possible, using the lifeboat’s full engine power to climb the face of very large waves.

Exmouth RNLI volunteer of nearly 18 years, Nancy Thompson has raised £1,005 through sales of her crocheted hats. Nancy started her individual fundraising project for the charity 16 months ago and has sold 140 in this period. Nancy knows how important raising money for...

Senior RNLI officials have acknowledged the hard work of local shop volunteers and issued two separate awards in their RNLI 2012 Honours list.

The Chief Executive of the RNLI, Paul Boissier wrote to Margaret Eaglesham, Souvenir Secretary and informed her that both she and her retail team had won awards. Margaret receives a national Silver Badge in recognition of her devoted service with the Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton Guild. This will be presented at a ceremony later in the summer. In the letter, Mr Boissier writes;

‘I am very conscious of all you have done for the Institution and would like to add my own thanks to those of the Council for your loyalty and support.’

Exmouth and Budleigh Salterton RNLI hosted a service of nine lessons and carols at Holy Trinity Church, Exmouth on a cold, dry evening of 17 December. Around 200 people attended the service including Cllr. Peter Halse, Chairman of East Devon District Council; Cllr....

Representatives from Exmouth and Teignmouth RNLI were invited to the 2011 Dawlish Air Show AGM on a wet and windy 15 December at The Manor House, Dawlish. A volunteer from each station received a cheque for £100 following public relations exercises during this year’s show.

Attendees were shown a short film of “behind the scenes” footage from the 2011 air show and organisers gave an insight into all the effort that was generated to put on a large-scale annual event.

Chair, Kevin Wills presented 13 cheques to local organisations and charities which had supported the event and offered their services free of charge. Together with the 2 donations to the RNLI, the British Legion, Friends of Dawlish Hospital, local ATC and Sea Scouts services were honoured.

Don Hodgkinson, Chair of Exmouth RNLI guild and Tony Watson, Lifeboat Press Officer and Administrator at Teignmouth RNLI both received £100 for the stations’ involvement on the day.

Two Exmouth lifeboatmen who have connections with Withycombe Raleigh primary school, visited 90 foundation unit children on Thursday 1 December to give a talk about their volunteer work.

The visit was organised by Caroline Sansom, a teaching assistant at the school and also wife of Mark Sansom who has been a volunteer lifeboat crew member for 13 years. Being the wife of a lifeboat crew member is not without sacrifice, especially when the pagers go off at all times of the day and night, so when Caroline asked her husband Mark to come and give a talk he was more than happy to give something back. He visited the children with ‘Stormy Stan’ the RNLI mascot who delighted the youngsters in his colorful outfit – played out by fellow lifeboatman Chris Sims whose son Mathew is also in the foundation unit at the school.

Devon-based author, Sylvia Murphy hosted volunteer crew and officers of Exmouth RNLI at the book launch of her latest novel about Trinity, a life-saving, sea-faring cat. 10 per cent of the book cover price (55p per book) will be donated to the charity that saves lives at sea.

At the book launch of Trinity: the Lifeboat Cat on the evening of 15 November at the Pavilion, Sylvia signed copies of her books for the volunteers and old friends from the Exmouth sailing community. Marketing her own work, her books are available on Amazon and through national wholesalers. Sylvia has written 15 books and this is her fifth cat novel.

Volunteers from Exmouth lifeboat station awarded winners of a colouring competition during their weekly achievement worship. 30 year one pupils were given sheets to colour in at the end of their visit to the boathouse on 4 October.

The visit included an hour-long tour of the two Exmouth lifeboats: the all-weather lifeboat Margaret Jean, the in-shore lifeboat George Bearman and the changing rooms. The pupils had been learning about sea safety in class and their visit enhanced their understanding of the role of the RNLI in their community.