Party at the Palace

RNLI Rye Harbour was represented as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution celebrated its 200th anniversary with a special garden party at Buckingham Palace on May 23.

Around 2,500 of the RNLI’s long-serving volunteers, staff and their families attended the RNLI 200th Anniversary Garden Party in the presence of HRH The Princess Royal, accompanied by Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, and RNLI President HRH The Duke of Kent.

Betty Broocks, Steve and Jean Brown represented RNLI Rye Harbour and were thrilled to have taken part in such a joyous occasion.

Betty’s grandson Jai Gudgion was representing Tower Lifeboat Station in London and asked his grandmother to accompany him, both being chosen to be presented to the Duke of Kent. Betty was seated next to the Duke in the Royal marquee and had some very interesting conversations with him. Betty said: “Coming so soon after being presented to The Queen in Rye it was such an honour to be asked to attend the garden party at Buckingham Palace and I had such a special day. We spent a lovely time meeting up with friends of Jai and I couldn’t believe just how many people knew him. There were about ten of us round our table and I met Janet Legrand who is the Chair of the RNLI and has visited Rye Harbour station a couple of times. After we had all been presented the waiting staff asked us all if we would like some water but the Duke said he would like a cup of tea which amused us. He asked me how long I had been fundraising for the RNLI and I replied fifty-five years: ‘Well you certainly have given your all!’ he retorted.”

Janet Legrand commented after the event: “It was a huge privilege to attend the RNLI 200th Anniversary Garden Party at Buckingham Palace with our President HRH The Duke of Kent and to thank so many of our volunteers for the enormous contribution they all make to the RNLI. It was a particular pleasure to meet Betty Broocks from Rye Harbour, who has supported us as a volunteer fundraiser for over fifty years. What a wonderful example to us all.”

Among those who attended from across the charity were lifeboat crew, lifeguards, water safety volunteers, fundraisers and recent recipients of meritorious service awards in the King’s Birthday and New Year Honours.

Jean Brown received her medal for fifty years’ service to the RNLI this year attending with her husband Steve who has been a member of the crew at Rye Harbour for thirty-five years.

Jean said: “It was such a wonderful experience and we had a wander around the glorious gardens. There were even a couple of baby goslings down by the lake. The food was fantastic and beautifully presented. We were allowed to take photos and we met up with Betty and Jai. We stayed till six o’clock and headed home with our wonderful memories.”

Image Credits: RNLI .