This weekend will see East Cowes transformed for the 200th Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) anniversary celebrations.
The town has been adorned with decoration created by the East Cowes Crafters – our thanks to Councillor Karl Love for sharing his photos below, taken last week.
Kicking off on Friday (24th May), there will be a Service of Thanksgiving at the East Cowes Inshore Lifeboat Centre (invitation only), as well as a reception to launch the East Cowes Heritage Exhibition at the Town Hall (invitation only).
Head to Clarence Road for 2.30pm on Friday to see the official opening of the RNLI mural painted by the artist, Daev Walsh.
Public exhibition
On Saturday (25th May) the Exhibition at the Town Hall opens to the public at 10am. Showing the importance of the boatyards on the River Medina that built lifeboats for the RNLI for many years.
Expect photographs and artifacts gathered from collections at the Heritage Centre and the County Archives. A film about building lifeboats on the Island will also be shown. Closes 4pm.
Procession through town
At midday, there’ll be a procession through East Cowes of Marching Bands and an RNLI Lifeboat. Joining them will be the Coastguard, decorated floats, vintage cars, fancy dress entrants and the mascots, Stormy Stan and Ted Funnel.
The parade begins at Sovereign Gate, York Avenue and ends on The Green at the Esplanade.
Esplanade fun
Between 1pm and 5pm there’ll be lots of events taking place along the Esplanade.
There’ll be live music from local band Cornerstone, and Magician Randini will also take to the stage. MAD-AID will be hosting a horsebox bar and don’t forget to visit the RNLI stand and enjoy refreshments from the various food and drink stands.
At 1.30pm the Esplanade Information Board, celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of the Esplanade to the public, will be unveiled.
From 3pm you can take part in the giant Hook-a-Duck game, which sees the paddling pool filled with plastic ducks and a large duck will hook lucky ones to win prizes for the crowds.
RNLI rescue demonstration
At some point during the day RNLI members will demonstrate a ‘man overboard’ rescue in the waters along the Esplanade using an Inshore Lifeboat made at the centre in East Cowes.
Finishing off the day’s celebrations at 7pm there will be an evening showing of ‘Building Lifeboats on the Isle of Wight’ at the Town Hall. This film highlights the lives of the boatbuilders who worked on the RNLI lifeboats.
Sunday’s activities
On Sunday, the exhibition will be open again from 10am to 4pm and from 10.30am there’ll be events taking pace at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre on Clarence Road, including the naming ceremony for a D Class lifeboat (read more about that here).
There’ll be live music from Slipshod Singers, Cowes Concert Band, Medina Marching Band and the Ukelele Band.
The exhibition can also be seen on Monday between 10am-4pm at the town hall.
