HUNDREDS of people in Minehead helped to celebrate the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s (RNLI) 200th anniversary at the weekend.

They joined a community afternoon in Minehead RNLI Station when a commemorative scroll was delivered by sea in Ilfracombe’s all-weather Shannon class lifeboat

The scroll contained the RNLI’s ‘One Crew’ pledge to save without judgment every person it can, staying true to Sir William Hillary’s vision when he founded the institution in 1824.

Ilfracombe RNLI crew members deliver the charity's 200th anniversary scroll to Minehead.
Ilfracombe RNLI crew members deliver the charity's 200th anniversary scroll to Minehead. ( )

Minehead crews signed it along with their chairman Richard Newton and members from the fund-raising team, operations, and shop.

Mr Newton said: “It is great to see so many people enjoying the sun today and coming together to mark this special event.

“We really are ‘One Crew’, and every part of the lifesaving team has signed the scroll today.”

Minehead’s harbourside was bedecked in colourful bunting, showcasing entries from the station's recent creative competition.

Minehead RNLI chairman Richard Newton signs the charity's 200th commemorative scroll containing its 'One Crew' pledge to rescue people without judgement.
Minehead RNLI chairman Richard Newton signs the charity's 200th commemorative scroll containing its 'One Crew' pledge to rescue people without judgement. ( )

The afternoon’s events included poetry readings and shanty singing, as well as a book signing of ‘There For those in Peril’ by local journalist and former RNLI helmsman Chris Rundle, which charts the history of Minehead RNLI lifeboat station since its 1901 inception.

There was also an impromptu performance by the DZ Buoys, Minehead’s shanty band whose recent singing challenge to local lifeboat stations has reached as far as Bude, and hopes to span the entire South West region.

The commemorative scroll is being taken on a journey through every RNLI region before reaching Douglas, on the Isle of Man, Sir William’s former home.