A service of Thanksgiving to commemorate boatbuilding in the North Wight was held in East Cowes last weekend. Altogether East Cowes and Cowes, has seen boatbuilding in the towns for over 400 years. Truly a remarkable achievement and one to be rightly proud of. To commemorate this, a weekend of celebrations began in East Cowes on 24th May with a Service of Thanksgiving at the Inshore Lifeboat Centre which was followed by the opening of the RNLI mural in Clarence Road. The Inshore Lifeboat Centre, (ILC) located in East Cowes, was the RNLI’s first purpose-built factory and now builds all of the RNLI’s inshore lifeboats, except for the River Thames-based e-class lifeboats. Additionally, it is where all the RIBs are serviced. At the service of Thanksgiving service, jointly organised by the ILC, East Cowes Town Council and East Cowes & Whippingham Churches. Together, a welcome to the event was given by Glyn Ellis from the ILC who introduced other speakers. Maurice Sheen CBE the Island’s Vice Lord Lieutenant was pleased to read out a message from the Patron of the RNLI- HM King Charles lll- in which the King stated his best wishes to the RNLI and the people of East Cowes. Prayers and hymns were led by members of East Cowes & Whippingham Churches together with Rev. Mike Exell, Rev. Jonathan Redvers-Harris and other representatives. A special prayer for the lifeboat was led by 6 girls from Holy Cross Catholic Primary School and a group of pupils from Priory School, Whippingham were on hand together with a display of their work depicting lifeboats. Mark Southwell from Cowes RNLI read a lesson. Prior to the service those attending were entertained by Cowes Concert Band playing a selection of nautical themed pieces including Sloop John B and Sailing and the Slipshod Singers sang a number of songs and hymns based on a sea theme. Following the service Rev. Mike Exell said:
“The local children did very well and I am very pleased that our community have been able to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the RNLI over the Bank Holiday weekend.”
