Hemsby lifeboat summer fun day
Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service holding its annual lifeboat funday. Hemsby Beach view Picture: James Bass
Hundreds of families headed to Hemsby beach today for a sun-drenched lifeboat fundraiser.
The summer fun day in aid of the independent Hemsby Inshore Rescue Service drew a huge crowd to the east coast, with visitors enjoying a lifeboat demonstration in the North Sea, dog agility, traditional games and stalls, and a sun soaked afternoon on Hemsby's golden sands.
It has been a hard year for the village lifeboat crew after a long winter devastated their coastline. The volunteer crew and supporters were forced to abandon their station back in March after fierce winds and high tides eroded the beach so badly they feared the hut would fall into the sea.
The lifeboat was taken out of action after the launch ramp was wiped out - and replaced with a 10ft drop.
But summer has been kinder, the beach is in better shape and the crew have been given railway sleepers to help them launch.
Hemsby coxswain Ross Hewitt was pleased with today's event and said the day was an opportunity to showcase what the lifeboat does locally and thank people for their ongoing support, particular after the past six months.
'It's been a really good day; I'm really pleased,' said Mr Hewitt, whose father was Hemsby lifeboat coxswain before him.
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'We put on a rescue display with the Gorleston offshore boat where we had a man overboard scenario. We also did some rough water manoeuvres - which isn't on a still day like this, but we went over the waves caused by the offshore boat to show the kind of conditions we can go out in.'
The independent station currently has 15 active crew members, and 10 core supporters.
It costs upwards of £28,000 to run the service each year.
To find out more, call the Beach Road boat house on 01493 731 641.
