Wells RNLI volunteers look back on charity's 200th birthday

Today marks the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

The national celebrations saw people connected to the charity in Wells come together at the town’s lifeboat station to chat about their memories and time there.

(From left to right) Mandy Humphreys, Sheila Warner, Mark Frary and Fred Whitaker, volunteers at RNLI Wells, on its 200th birthday (Image: Aaron McMillan)

The group of volunteers met at the north Norfolk station following a weekend full of events to mark the 200th anniversary milestone.

Lifeboat crews in the town have been saving lives at sea since 1830, with the first RNLI lifeboat station built in 1869.

In that time its crews have launched the lifeboats 1,323 times and saved 372 lives.

New RNLI Lifeboat launched at Wells, 1990 (Image: ARCHANT LIBRARY)

Sheila Warner has been volunteering at the RNLI for 64 years, after marrying Albert Warner, better known as Sonnie, who worked on the crew.

She was awarded a medal for her efforts in fundraising, and as a founder member of the Ladies Lifeboat Guild helped to raise thousands of pounds.

The 200th flag flying by RNLI Wells, on its 200th birthday (Image: Aaron McMillan)

“It is entirely different to what it was when I first joined with the leaps in technology,” she said.

“I feel very proud of what we have achieved during my time.

Sheila Warner has been volunteering at the RNLI for 64 years (Image: Aaron McMillan)

“The worst time was Sevenesti on February 15, 1979, when the lifeboat lost its wireless and radar. My husband was on the boat and we thought we had lost the crew. Thankfully they found their way home.”

Wells RNLI Lifeboat coxswain, Allen Frary was given a seaborne send-off by his fellow lifesavers, with a final trip out on the North Sea. Mr Frary stood down from the crew (Image: CHRIS TAYLOR christaylorphoto.co.uk)

Fred Whitaker, who has been volunteering for 45 years now, added: “My proudest moment was bringing the new lifeboat home to Wells and seeing the quay light up when we showed the Duke of Edinburgh off to everyone there." 

Fred Whitaker, who has been volunteering for the RNLI for 45 years (Image: Aaron McMillan)

Mark Frary, who has been a volunteer for 25 years, joined at 17.

He comes from a long line of RNLI members - his dad volunteered for 42 years with 21 years as coxswain, his uncle volunteered for 41 years, his granddad did 22 years, and his great-grandfather was a horseman when the boat was launched by the animals as late as 1936 and his great great grandfather was one of two survivors of the Eliza Adams incident.

Mark Frary, who has been a RNLI volunteer for 25 years (Image: Aaron McMillan)

Mr Frary said: “Being passed out as coxswain, was an incredible honour, I am currently second coxswain, which is a position selected by the crew. I'm also proud of being part of the crew which brought the new boat home to Wells.”

Mandy Humphreys, who has volunteered for six years, said: "When I put my inshore suit on for the first time, it was my proudest moment.

Mandy Humphreys has volunteered for the RNLI for six years (Image: Aaron McMillan)

“When my suit arrived I had a little cry, it was a moment where I thought, ‘I could do this’. Going out on the inshore is physically hard. I have done everything I can to be good in the role, but putting the suit on for the first time was an incredible moment.”

Wells RNLI 1966 (Image: Newsquest)

Wells Maltings held several events over the weekend, including a 200th anniversary exhibition featuring artwork from students from Alderman Peel High School and Wells Primary School.

The children were visited by the artist Mary Blue Brady who judged the students' work inspired by her workshop at APHS, and Rachael Long, the designer who made the RNLI Lifeboat horse, who came to judge the mini-painted laser cut lifeboat horses and paintings inspired by her work, one of which she wants to buy.

On the day the charity turns 200, the RNLI revealed its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved 146,452 lives during that time.

Nicky King, the station’s coxswain, was away at Westminster for the national service in honour of the charity's anniversary.

The Wells RNLI and Alderman Peel High School have come together to create a special exhibition to mark and celebrate 200 years of the RNLI saving lives at sea (Image: Amanda Moffat)