RNLI Hythe Branch

The Past

Hythe is still very proud of the town’s fine lifesaving tradition carried out by the fishing fleet and then, later, a number of lifeboats working from three different Lifeboat Houses over many years; an early Lifeboat House was at Battery Point but the better launching conditions further West brought the Lifeboat to The Fishermans Landing Beach in Hythe just off Range Road. The two boathouses can still be seen from the western end of West Parade. The most recent is still in use as the H.Q of Channel Divers who welcome visitors.

The fishermen of Sandgate and Hythe manned the lifeboats until 1940 when the tragic loss of RNLB Viscountess Wakefield at Dunkirk occurred; that boat was never replaced.

Hythe Fundraising Branch

Late in 1963 the Seabrook, Hythe, Women’s Fellowship invited an RNLI Speaker to a Members meeting. The Speaker was accompanied by the RNLI Area Organiser, Mrs Vivienne Robertson, who expressed dismay that Hythe did not have an official Fundraising Branch.

Mrs Robertson requested that Mrs L. B. Turner, Chairman of the Fellowship, and the Secretary, Mrs Greta Dray, should form such a Branch. They agreed and, with the support of their husbands, and the further support of Hythe businessmen and Bankers, RNLI Hythe Branch was formed.

The first event held at a supporter’s home was a Coffee Morning that raised some £100.

To gain further support and recognition the Branch entered a float into The Hythe Venetian Fete held on the Royal Military Canal in 1964. This was a huge success and a very successful Flag Day followed.

Mrs Laura Turner became the Chairman of the Branch with Mr Arthur Dray as Vice-Chairman. Further Fundraising events were organised and the Branch became more and more successful.

In 1970 another Float was entered into The Venetian Fete with the theme of “Davy Jones Locker”. One of the spectators on the bank tried to throw a coin into the wooden chest on the deck of the float, an idea that proved an instant success with the crowd, and further coins rained down, sometimes to the discomfort of the “Crew”.

In 1974 the Hythe Luncheon Club for the Lifeboat was started; it was an instant success. Luncheons were, and still are, held every month during the winter months and have raised a considerable sum for the RNLI.

The current venue for the very successful lunches Wednesday lunches and interesting talks is The Hythe Conservative Club.

Fundraising has continued since the Branch was started with a gradually changing Committee as people have retired and been replaced.

Various different events have been organised, sometimes on a regular basis, and sometimes as a “one off”; all have contributed to the funds of the RNLI.

Over the years the RNLI has made several awards to members of the Committee for meritorious fundraising services.

It is with regret that we learned of death of the Branch Founder, Mrs Laura Turner, early in January 2008

What we do

 

            We raise funds to help the Royal National Lifeboat Institution save lives at sea and along the shoreline of the United Kingdom.

The Branch comprises a working Committee, and a number of other helpers, who arrange and run Fundraising events throughout the year. Other, individual, fundraising efforts are encouraged and RNLI Regional HQ at Uckfield is able to help with advice, promotional T shirts and prizes where appropriate.

The Branch runs an RNLI Luncheon Club during the winter months that always has an interesting list of speakers.

The Souvenir Secretary maintains a stock of RNLI Gift Catalogue items and is always pleased to supply Christmas card and Calendar needs.

Committee Members organise a Flag Day; an Annual Garden Party; a Boot Fair; a number of Coffee Mornings with souvenirs, books and bric a brac on sale. One of the Committee Members gives talks and shows RNLI films to other organisations and Clubs.

The Branch Box Secretary looks after a number of collecting boxes in the shops, pubs and restaurants in the town. As a matter of interest we have been told that we have as many collecting boxes in position in Hythe, 60 plus, as does Brighton, recognition of the generosity of the people of Hythe.

The amounts raised by the branch have varied from year to year and are currently running at about £20,000 per year. 

 

New Helpers

We have, unfortunately, reached a stage where a number of the current Committee and the group of helpers have reached an age where they feel that they would like to cut back some of their commitments, especially as setting up some of the events can be fairly heavy work.

We would be delighted to hear from anyone who would be ready to help us raise funds for Lifeboats.

Specifically we would like to recruit some younger helpers to set up Coffee Mornings and some of the other events where we have to carry tables and chairs and the items that are to be displayed and sold.

Secondly we would like to have additional assistant Box secretaries to look after a small group of boxes so that they be emptied and counted on a more frequent basis.

New helpers to assist at current Fundraising Events, or to suggest new events or ideas that they have experience with, are always needed and are indeed most welcome. Experience in Sales and Marketing would be a great asset for us to have on board.

If you would like to join the Branch and be involved in our work please telephone our Secretary or make contact with any of the Committee.

Committee