LATEST NEWS

11/08/2018 Clacton RNLI volunteers receive generous donation from the freemasons to help save lives at sea The volunteers of Clacton RNLI were honoured to welcome representation from The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons’ Colchester Lodge 31, with a donation of life saving equipment. At a recent crew night, a small party from Colchester Lodge 31 which is a woman’s lodge and celebrating its 65th anniversary, presented the volunteers with lifesaving equipment valuing £2,500. The equipment ranged from gloves, hand search lights, handheld radios, to a large flat screen tv to assist with the larger school groups welcomed to the station, and the growing use of video-based training to encourage beach and sea safety. This was made possible by the fund-raising activities started during the term of Very Worshipful Peggy Halford, who nominated the RNLI as her favoured charity. The Lodge was consecrated on 17 October 1953 by the then Grand Master with founder Worshipful Brother Maud Amey becoming first Master. She remained a faithful and loyal member of the Colchester Lodge until she was 103, being the Lodge organist past her 100th birthday. The donation is reminiscent of the original made 140 years ago in 1878 by the Freemasons of England, which funded the setting up of a RNLI station and lifeboat at Clacton-on- sea in gratitude of the safe return of the Grand Master (the then Prince of Wales who later become King Edward VII) from a tour of India. This support continued, resulting with the first three lifeboats all bearing the name Albert Edward in recognition. Those wishing to know more about The Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasons can do so at their website www.hfaf.org or by emailing info@hfaf.org 09/08/2018 Yesterday evening at 6.30pm just after the Atlantic class lifeboat was launched to a vessel aground at the entrance to the River Colne, we were visited by a few participants of Saturday’s cruise in memory of Ben Quartermaine. During the cruise they had been raising money for Ben’s family as well as ourselves. Chris French, one of the station’s Deputy Launch Authorities was presented with over £140 raised on the night by Hannah, who organised the event. The volunteers at Clacton RNLI would like to thank all those that took part and organised this event for the generous donation. 28/05/2018 Ørsted (formally DONG Energy) have announced they will continue to support the life saving work of the volunteers at Clacton RNLI for another three years The operators of the Gunfleet Sands windfarm (four miles south of Clacton Pier) will continue to support Clacton RNLI to save lives at sea for a further three years, along with six other lifeboat stations close to their other sites operated around the UK coastline. The global leader in offshore wind power will make a contribution of more than £200,000 split between the seven stations, funding the running costs of the lifeboats at each location. Since Ørsted started their collaboration with the RNLI in 2015 their funding has resulted in nearly 600 launches, resulting in 580 people being helped. At Clacton this support has gone beyond the financial to involve practical real-life rescue scenarios from the turbines alongside Ørsted’s own technicians, resulting in a good understanding of each other’s operating capabilities and procedures. This working knowledge results in a safer environment for both teams and a faster extraction for any casualty. Matthew Wright, managing director at Ørsted UK, said: ‘We’re extremely proud to continue our partnership with the RNLI for another three years and help this amazing charity save lives at sea. As a company building major offshore wind projects to be the backbone of the UK’s future energy system, we understand the challenges faced by RNLI crews working out at sea, and we want to help these lifeboat stations continue operating safely and efficiently. Ørsted is hugely committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we operate, which is why supporting the vital service provided by the RNLI makes so much sense to us.’ Dave Wells, Lifeboat Operations Manager for Clacton RNLI was keen to point out that there was a good ongoing relationship between Ørsted (formally DONG Energy) and the RNLI in its financial support for six stations, which has now been extended to seven, which Clacton is one. As part of this financial support for Clacton they pay the annual fuel bill of the station’s two lifeboats. Mr Wells went on to say: ’The extra practical support in the form of real world exercises for Clacton’s volunteer crew is invaluable to equip them with the skills needed to undertake rescues effectively and safely. This year alone they have saved three lives thanks to the support of organisations such as Ørsted, and that of the wider community.’ 28/05/2018 Open gardens event for Clacton RNLI a blooming success On the Sunday and Monday (27-28th) of the Bank Holiday weekend, the annual open gardens was held at The Hall, Tendring, In aid of Clacton RNLI for the fifth year. This year proved to be the best yet, with over £5000 being raised. With the unprecedented good weather for a Bank Holiday the crowds flocked in to sea the magnificent grounds of The Hall, which included luscious lawns, lakes, rose gardens, a sensory garden, and a not to be forgotten, magnificent display of Rhododendrons and Azaleas. In addition to everything the grounds of the hall had to offer, there were country craft stalls, wildlife displays, including Owls-R-Us, various food stalls, and refreshments, which included beer and wine brewed at the hall itself. While sampling the delights on offer from the food stalls and refreshment tent, the visitors were entertained with dancing displays from the St Osyth Line Dancing Group, Fantari Dancers, and The Harwich Morris Men. There was also music from the Colchester Pipe and Drum Band, a Blues band, and sea shanties from The Harwich Shanty Band. All proceeds from the two day event, which was more than £5000, were donated to Clacton RNLI. Steve Cole, Fundraising Chairman of Clacton RNLI would like to offer his sincere thanks for all the hard work put in to arranging this event by the staff at The Hall, the RNLI Fundraising team, the volunteers who helped at the event, and those that put on the shows to entertain the crowds which added that extra colour to the event. Without your hard work the event would not be the success it is. Mr Cole went onto say; ‘We hope that all the visitors enjoyed themselves, and hope to see you all next year, when we will do it all again.’ 01/05/2018 Clacton RNLI volunteer fundraisers recognised for their hard work by Institution Five local fundraisers receive certificates of thanks from the RNLI Chief Executive Paul Boissier for their hard fundraising efforts, allowing Clacton’s two lifeboats to save lives at sea. The awards were all made recently, with the most recent going to David and Pauline Jiggens, who each year since 2004 have covered their Frinton Road bungalow with Christmas decorations and even convert their garage, all at their own expense. Their reputation for a good display has resulted in coach parties stopping to admire, and in doing so have raised over £15,000. Jill Green also received a reward, one of the newer members to the fundraising team as well as helping in the shop, throwing herself into all she does, from box collections to selling raffle tickets, of which Jill is credited with raising half of last years raffle total of over £1,800. With her husband Jim volunteering as a tractor driver it’s a real family affair. The next recipient is Ann Norman, who like Mr and Mrs Jiggens got involved in 2004, and has worked tirelessly ever since. From using her network of contacts, she has managed to push the word out when help is needed, using her membership of the Inner Wheel she has made sure the RNLI souvenir stall at the Clacton Airshow is ‘manned’. Peter Edwards said: ‘Ann is a stalwart and can always be relied upon to be wherever we need her.’ Steve Cole is also receiving an award. Steve has been the lifeboats station’s fundraising chairman for over five years, and since joining has thrown himself into everything, and is always looking for new ways to raise money. One of the events that Steve has been crucial in organising is the Open Gardens which has become one of the team’s biggest fundraisers annually, being held on 27 / 28 May this year at The Hall, School Lane, Tendring. With an aim of having at least one event each month Steve is kept busy, but in doing so raises over £12,000 a year. This year Clacton RNLI celebrate 140 years of continuous lifesaving service, with over 2,800 launches resulting in 1,180 lives being saved. A large part of this success is due to our often overlooked fundraisers’ dedication and that of their forerunners, out in all weathers, for without their hard work and dedication there would be no lifeboat to save lives at sea. If you would like to help with fundraising or have a great idea for Clacton RNLI, please CONTACT US 29/04/2018 Last night's Quiz Night held at the Albert Edward Hall was a great success for the Yellow Wellies, as they managed not to embarrass themselves on the nautical questions. We must say a big thank you to everyone who attended, and especially the Quizmasters; John & Jill for a fabulous evening, which raised £266.50 28/04/2018 We would like to thank all the local East of England Co-op members and shoppers of the local stores who kindly chose to put their green token in the box for Clacton RNLI. As a result we have received a donation of £500. Every little helps to make sure our volunteer crew have the equipment needed to Save Lives at Sea. Thankyou 04/04/2018 The Clacton Lifeboat Ladies held a 'Ladies Fashion Show' and raffle at the Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop in Pier Avenue, on the evening of Wednesday 4th April, which was a good success with the Ladies raising £245. The Edinburgh Wollen Mill shop provided some of the raffle prizes and refreshments for the guests, as well as giving 20% off purchases made on the night. A big Thank you to all who attended, the staff of the Edinburgh Woollen Mill, and of course our own Lifeboat Ladies for helping to make it such a success. 28/03/2018 Last week two quiz night's were held to raise funds for Clacton RNLI. The first on Thursday was held by the staff and patrons of the Plough in Gt Clacton, which raised nearly £350. A great night that was attended by a few members of the crew. I am glad to say they are better at saving lives at sea than they are at pub quizzes. The second occured on Saturday evening, being held at the village hall in St Osyth. This event was attended by around 150 people and raised nearly £700. We would like to graciously thank those that organised these events and attended them, without their support and efforts we couldn't save lives at sea. 07/03/2018 We are always proud of our team here at RNLI Clacton, it is even nicer when one of the team is recognized by the wider community. Tim Sutton, volunteer helm, has recently been presented with a Pride of Tendring Award in recognition of his 23 years on the lifeboat, as well as being a First Responder, and not forgetting his tireless efforts in organising the Christmas and Easter collections for the Children's Wards and Hospices. Congratulations Tim, a well deserved recognition 25/02/2018 A big thank you to all who kindly stopped and made a donation to our half frozen volunteer fundraisers, who where outside Tesco at Brook park on Friday. Their persistence and your generosity raised £243.36. Thank you all. 17/01/2018 Some of you may recall just before Christmas we shared with you that Jill Green had been been presented with a certificate of excellence in volunteering by the RNLI, it's an honour to announce that Ann Newman has also been awarded the same, in recognition of all her hard work fundraising. Without the hard work and dedication of those like Jill and Ann fundraising, the RNLI would cease to be able to operate. As has often been said, that little plastic collection lifeboat is the most important one in the fleet, as without that one, none of the others can operate. If like Ann and Jill you would like to help the Clacton RNLI continue to do its vital work, please CONTACT US.