Photo: Chris Davey RNLI
It was a damp and miserable morning around Whitstable lifeboat station on Sunday with even a few snow flurries but the atmosphere in the station was brightened with the colourful arrival of members of the Whitstable based ‘Dead Horse Morris’.
They came along to formally hand over a new TV set to be used to display station and RNLI videos at the end of the viewing gallery in the boat hall, the set having already been installed in it’s position and showing a video of a net recovery exercise amongst other images.
Said the Morris ‘Bagman’ Angali Clifton-Fearnside “We have supported the Whitstable RNLI since 1986 when one of our original musicians, Alice Nunn was involved in yachting and we reasoned that it might be better if we supported the local lifeboat in case she got into difficulties rather than have to find another musician!
“Since then the Whitstable RNLI is the only charity we have consistently supported over the years and we frequently can be found dancing outside the station and around the harbour in support of the cause our last ‘stand’ (dance) being on Boxing Day when we raised £305.00”.
Dead Horse Morris Men & Broomdasher Ladies have around 35 active members dancing and entertaining audiences around Kent and beyond and their season runs from St George’s Day in April through until October with a final outing on Boxing Day performing not only for the lifeboat but also for other charitable causes.
Pete and Jo Fenton who have been newly appointed as fundraising chair people of Whitstable RNLI were on hand to accept their, more than generous, donation of a new Flat Screen TV.
Pete and Jo said “The TV has now been mounted on the wall in the boathouse viewing area for visitors to Whitstable RNLI Lifeboat station to view information and videos about the station history and current shouts and training exercises”.
“We would like to thank Angali and team for their continued supported towards our community lifeboat”.
“This year has only seen 1 shout so far but the crew tirelessly continue their weekly training in preparation for the busy season that’s fast approaching us. Without donations like these and the support of the volunteer crew and the monies raised by so many, our lifeboat wouldn’t be able to operate”.
“We look forwards to seeing them later this year, in and around the harbour, and for their next kind donation”.
Once the donation had been made, the Dead Horse Morris crew took shelter from the inclement weather in the lifeboat shop and gave the staff an impromptu musical extravaganza, which they thoroughly enjoyed!