A team of four crew members from the Clacton lifeboat took part in the Stena Line Discovery 10 KM fun run held in Harwich. The race is for individuals and teams from Holland and the U.K. and raises money for the two lifeboat services. Clacton�s crewmen were up against a Dutch crew for the team prize between the lifeboat services and pulled-off an unexpected victory. They were rewarded with a magnificent trophy, and a cheque for 750Euros for the R.N.L.I.

 Press Officer Mel Winger 30/09/2002

The photo shows Tim Sutton, Chris French, Rob Bradbrook and Tim Dye with the trophy.

Four divers from Clacton lead by Tony Manners spent six days on a sponsored dive and drive around Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Mick Brown, Joel French, Gavin Stribling and Tony Manners started on Friday the 12th of July from Clacton Pier and drove to Newhaven for their first dive, and then on to Swanage for dive two. On Saturday into Wales and dives in Pembroke and Holyhead. Sunday saw them across the Irish Sea in Larne near Belfast. Monday saw them back on the ferry and across the boarder into Scotland and a dive at St. Abbs, followed in the afternoon by a dive at Whitby. On Tuesday, inland to the diving school at Stoney Cove in Leicestershire and back to the coast at Sea Palling, Norfolk. Their last dive was back in Clacton on Wednesday where they were met by the Lifeboat crew and members of the local R.N.L.I. branch. A presentation cheque was handed to Jayne Parsons from the Eastern Region Headquarters at Hadleigh for more than Two Thousand pounds.

With ten dives in four countries in depths from 4 metres to 38 metres and a drive of 1800 miles the boys were glad to put their feet up and relax.

Many thanks to all the people who helped at the various locations and the companies who gave their support.

Mel Winger. SHPO.

Picture shows the dive team with Jayne Parsons(eastern region) and Tendring Council Chairman John White and pupils from Clacton County High School who helped to raise some of the money. Tony Manners is caretaker at the school.

Sunday the 21st of July 2002 was a day with a difference for the Clacton Lifeboat. Crewman and mechanic Dave Carvey spent his last day exercising with the crew and his son Ryan his first. Dave had reached the retirement age for inshore boat crews of forty-five and now takes on the job of Deputy Launching Authority and Ryan, who was eighteen earlier in the month, came back from his initial training course at the R.N.L.I�s Inshore Lifeboat Headquarters at Cowes to join the local crew. He will start on the �D� class inshore lifeboat and hopefully progress to the larger �Atlantic 75� fast inshore boat. This is the first time for twenty years that a father and son have been on the station together.

An award winning cake maker has donated one of her creations to raise money for the R.N.L.I. Violet Dunn who lives in Littlehampton, West Sussex, has won many awards including the �Whitbread Award� and is a renowned �International Charity Cake Maker� and �Cake Painting Artist�. 72 year old Violet�s latest creation shows the Clacton �Atlantic 75� lifeboat the �Robert George Alexander�, and will be raffled at a charity night to be held at the �Waverley Hall Hotel� on Friday 26th July. The hotel are running a �Fish supper night� and raffle starting at 7.30pm and the draw for the cake will be made during the evening. Violet has made cakes for many of the R.N.L.I.s lifeboat stations and other charities supporting those who go to sea. Raffle tickets are available from the hotel on Marine Parade West.

Two members of the Clacton branch of the R.N.L.I. have been given awards. Peter Edwards received the Institutes Gold Badge at a national presentation at London�s Barbican Centre in May for more than thirty years fundraising, and Fran Fone received a Silver Badge for her many years with the Ladies Guild. Fran�s presentation was made by Eastern Region Area Organiser, Jayne Parsons, at the recent Branch Annual General Meeting.

Clacton Lifeboat�s senior helmsman Rob Bradbrook has received the R.N.L.I.�s �Long Service Award� for Twenty years as a crew member. He joined when the �Oakley� class lifeboat, the �Valentine Wyndham- Quin� was on station, and has seen through the change-over to the �Atlantic� class fast inshore lifeboat that the station has today. The presentation was made by Station Hon. Sec. Rob Smith at the recent Branch A.G.M.

The photo shows Rob Bradbrook on the left and Rob Smith on the right.

Press Officer Mel Winger 19/06/2002

A concert by the Essex Police Band and the Essex Police Choir held at the Westcliff Theatre on Sunday 7th of April has raised �1660 which will help to fund the new inshore lifeboat house to be built on the Western Promenade later this year.

The concert was the seventh to be organised by George and Phyllis Constable, and proved to be the most successful. Many thanks to everyone for their support.