Lives Saved Since 1851= 585
+ 3Dogs

Launches since 1851 = 503

Weather for June 2003
As I was away for the first week of the month no report for that time is available. Thereafter the weather was fine, dry and very warm. However when the wind swung around from the sea it became more cloudy, cool and unsettled. This was the case on the 10th, 16th and 22nd. One other notable weather day was the 17th when we were woken by thunder, lightening and heavy rain. Thankfully this was cleared by 8.30am leaving only overcast skies.

Exercises.
Exercises were held on the 16th and 28th (Blyth Lifeboat Day visit)

Services.
There were no service calls during the month

Looking Back at June News
Naming Ceremony at Newbiggin - June 24th, 1939.
The Blyth News records that special day with headlines;
'Lady Osbourne names Newbiggin Lifeboat - Big crowds see impressive ceremony - RNLI Secretary's high praise for the crew - A memorable episode in the long history of Newbiggin Lifeboat Station was enacted on Saturday afternoon when the new motor Lifeboat was named. The boat is one of the most modern types and is ideally suited for services on this treacherous part of the north east coast. The ceremony was of more than usual interest because it was twenty years since there was anything of this nature at Newbiggin and almost the entire population augmented by a large number of holiday makers turned out to take par in this impressive ceremony. In a sheltered spot close to the promenade the naming took place, while at sea lay the Blyth Lifeboat at anchor. ……..With the naming complete the Lifeboat was hauled to the sea by scores of willing hands and in a moment the Lifeboat was afloat, there was a cheer from the shore and from the Blyth boat with the gulls who wield overhead'

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The First 150 Years - The Book.
Newbiggin Lifeboat History Book Launched. After some nine years of research the comprehensive story of Newbiggin Lifeboat over the last 150 years is launched.
Priced at £6 the book is available from the lifeboat station with postal orders costing an extra £1.50 for post and packing.(Post orders to RICHARD MARTIN, 3 WINDSOR GARDENS, NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SEA, NORTHUMBERLAND,NE64 6UN) Richard J Martin April 30th, 2001.
For more details contact Richard Martin
0191 2192553

Plane crash June 24th, 1950
The Morpeth Herald carried the following report of a tragic accident at Newbiggin;
'Many people returning from the carnival at Newbiggin on Saturday witnessed the tragedy when a Spitfire Mark XXII crashed into the sea while on exercises. Would be rescuers immediately launched various craft and put out in search of a survivor and a pleasure craft was at the scene of the crash in a very short space of time. The Newbiggin Lifeboat which had just returned to its station after taking part in the parade, was launched. At the same time, other craft including a RAF Air-Sea Rescue Pinnace, appeared on the scene and joined in the search. After an eight and a half hour search, both the Lifeboat and the RAF Pinnace gave up the task. Newbiggin Lifeboat returned with some wreckage, including what was thought to have been the pilot's seat. The pilot from Shilbottle is missing presumed killed. He was a member of the County of Durham Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force'.

Forthcoming Events;
The following events are planned for the summer; Sunday 25th May, 2003 - Open Day
Sunday 13th July, 2003 - Open Air Service
Sunday 20th July, 2003 - Lifeboat Day 2003
Sunday 3rd August, 2003 - Town Fair
Sunday 24th August, 2003 - Town Pageant


RJM Richard Martin - 30/06/2003.

Newbiggin by the Sea RNLI Video
We are pleased to annouce the issue of a exclusive
VHS video about Newbiggin RNLI station featuring high-lights of the 150th Anniversary Celebrations with the Duke of Northumberland in attendance.

To receive a copy contact Stan Green at-
Newbiggin@rnli.org.uk

Newbiggin by the Sea R.N.L.I. Website
Special thanks should go to Richard Martin, Stan Green and former Newbiggin Branch Chairman John Robinson, for providing much of the material used in the lifeboat website.
If anyone has any additional material or stories that they think would be of interest and would like to contribute to the site please contact:-

Paul Hooper tel.01670 521289
e-mail- drumhoops@btinternet.com

Or contact can be made via:-
www.newbigginbythesea.co.uk
Newbiggin@rnli.org.uk