RNLI Fun Day in Formby on the edge of the fir woods
Report C Trollope and photographs by B Wagstaff.

ST. Luke’s Church’s Lifeboat Tea Room on Saturday, 21 August, 2010, hosted a special event to help the RNLI charity in its work in saving lives around the coasts of the British Isles. People, young and old, came throughout the afternoon, many dressed as pirates, to enjoy inside and outside the Meeting Room, free tea, cool juices, coffee, and bowls of water for the dogs some visitors had accompanying them. They were all able to see and discover how they, the general public, could help in saving lives at sea.

Information about what the Royal National Lifeboat Institution does was available, as there were interesting posters, booklets, leaflets and a video for the visitors to see. The Church was open for people to go in and see films depicting the RNLI ‘s work. People were very generous with donations for the RNLI and were also very appreciative of the availability of the refreshments.

The decorated lifeboat flower bed, and boundary fence notices with the RNLI flag proudly flying in the breeze, helped to attract passers- by; even the Folk songs and Sea shanties played by the well known local group, The Liverpool Travelling People, helped in creating a nautical atmosphere. There was even a buried treasure hunt for the young people where they bought a little flag and then they had to stick it in a large marked sandy area to show where they thought the treasure was buried. The proverbial raffle, naturally, took place and was rather popular. The under 11s had a best dressed pirate competition with all the contestants receiving a small prize. On top of all those exciting things was a Muppet’s Puppet Theatre production, outside, at the rear of the building. An afternoon greatly enjoyed by all and very many people praised the hard work and sterling effort put in by the team of helpers at the well organised event. Well done everybody.

The final event, this season, at the Lifeboat Tea Rooms, St Luke’s Church, Formby, is on Bank Holiday Monday, 30 August 2010 and it will re-open in May 2011.

Photographs by below by C Trollope.

Thanks are extended to all who patronized it and the volunteer staff who are looking forward to seeing you again next year.