The first ever Padstow Lifeboat Open Weekend was on 11thand 12thAugust 2018. It took place at the amazing Padstow Lifeboat Station which clings to the cliffs at Trevose Head overlooking Mother Ivey’s Bay. The station is a fascinating piece of engineering and architecture, perched high above the sea.
The highlight on each day was the launch or the RNLI Lifeboat ‘Spirit of Padstow’. The lifeboat is launched down a steep slipway and dramatically splashes into the sea. It is recovered back up the slipway by winch. The larger lifeboat was joined by a smaller inflatable inshore lifeboat from Rock, a few boatloads of spectators and an RNLI search and rescue helicopter.
The lifeboat crew also carried out training exercises and visitors were able to get up close to the lifeboat in the station. In a nearby field were activities, a marquee, bar, stalls and a barbeque.
The event was a great success, not only fascinating for visitors but also raising over £5,000 for the station, obviously the RNLI is a not for profit organisation.
There was plenty of parking in a National Trust car park with a shuttle bus to Padstow lifeboat station. A short walk from the car park is the stunning Booby’s Bay, which is worth a look.
The Padstow Lifeboat has a number of fundraising events throughout each year as well as Padstow Lifeboat Open Weekend, including Padstow Harbour Day’s and even a curry and quiz night. Details can be found on their Facebook page and will include dates for Padstow Lifeboat Open Weekend 2019, once they are published.
Further details about the Padstow Lifeboat can be found here.
