Some of you may have seen the television programmes about rescues at sea and will agree that the lifeboat crews are, without a doubt, among the bravest people in the land.
We have arranged to be shown around the Royal National Lifeboat Institution college and lifeboat station at Poole, where we will hear how the crews have to wear a pager so they can be called at any time of the day or night. Immediately the pager goes off they drop what they are doing and race to get the boat launched, sometimes in as little as four minutes.
We will hear how the crews are trained and will be shown the specialist equipment, including the simulator, in which we will be invited to experience what it is like to be in a lifeboat in a stormy sea. (Anyone who feels sick must look away!)
When we have got our land legs back we will be taken over the road to see how the amazing little craft are built. It will be a memorable day out and one to fill us all with admiration for these courageous men and women.
The RNLI has restricted the number of visitors it can accommodate to 24, so it will be first-come, first-served when bookings are taken. Lunch in the Harbour Suite is included.
If you are unlucky enough to miss out on the RNLI visit, you might appreciate a day by the sea anyway. We will be offering places on the coach for anyone wishing to be dropped off at Poole, where you could spend a leisurely day taking time to have a good lunch and maybe go on a trip round the harbour. The coach will then pick you up at a prearranged time and place so everyone will come home together.
Cost: Coach and RNLI £32 including lunch; coach only £23
| Please note coach departure places and times | |
| 8.25am | Brockham: Middle Street near junction with Oakdene Road |
| 8.35am | Dorking: outside Dorking Halls |
| 8.40am | Dorking: opposite Waitrose |
| 8.45am | Dorking: Horsham Rd bus stop between Harrow Rd East and Tower Hill Rd |
| NB. The coach no longer stops in North Holmwood | |