You many have seen the collection of photos from Islanders earlier. Here’s a selection of the photos that the RNLI have shared with VB, along with a report in their words – Ed
HM The Queen visited Cowes on the Isle of Wight today where she took part in the official opening ceremony for the new RNLI lifeboat station in the town.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the charity that saves lives at sea, held a special ceremony to mark the official opening of the station, at the old Customs Watch House in Watch House Lane.
Along with HRH Prince Phillip, HM The Queen met the volunteer lifeboat crew members that regularly give up their own time to respond to the call to help save lives at sea.
Mark Southwell Welcomes The Queen
Welcoming the Queen, Cowes RNLI’s Lifeboat Operations Manager, Mark Southwell, referred to HM The Queen’s “extraordinary commitment” throughout her reign, and praised both Her Majesty and the volunteer crews around the RNLI.
Mark said:
‘In this year, Your Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Year, we recognise that your service to us and to the Commonwealth has been lifelong. Indeed, a recurrent theme throughout your Diamond Jubilee Year is the idea of “celebrating extraordinary commitment”.
You have exemplified “extraordinary commitment” throughout your reign. And I would like to think the volunteer lifeboat crew members of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution also demonstrate an “extraordinary commitment”, albeit on a more modest scale.’
Naming of Sheena Louise
In addition to opening the new station, the ceremony also marked the official naming of the new lifeboat that is stationed at Cowes, the Atlantic 85 class lifeboat Sheena Louise. The lifeboat was named after Kent woman, Sheena Louise Pollock – her family decided to donate funds for the lifeboat to the RNLI after Sheena, a keen sailor in her lifetime, passed away.
As well as Sheena’s family, other special guests included various donors who contributed to the public appeal to raise £1M funds towards the new lifeboat station and lifeboat, including:
- Representatives from Aberdeen Asset Management, official partner of the Cowes Lifeboat Station Appeal and title sponsors of the Cowes Week regatta
- Sussex man Colin Field
- Robbie Southwell, son of Lifeboat Operations Manager Mark
- RNLI supporter Richard Acland, who ran the 2012 Virgin London Marathon to raise sponsorship for the appeal
Well-wishers gathered
Thousands of well-wishers gathered outside the lifeboat station and along The Parade in Cowes to watch HM The Queen disembark at Trinity Landing, where she unveiled a commemorative plaque and met members of the public.
Mark Southwell continued: ‘It was an absolute pleasure to welcome HM The Queen to Cowes – the sun shone, crowds flocked, and everyone was reminded of why our nation is so proud of the RNLI charity.’
The RNLI photos
Click on images for full version.
