RESIDENTS of Bude will be celebrating 200 years of the RNLI with an event taking place this weekend.

On Sunday, April 7, Bude RNLI will host a very special event to celebrate the service’s 200th anniversary. 

Dubbed ‘Pirate Day’, the day will offer fun for all the family as children – and adults – are invited to dress in their very best swashbuckling costumes and enjoy games, drinks, a tombola and a costume competition.  

As well as this bit of fun, a very special occasion will also be taking place at the event, as crew members from the town’s branch will be signing the ‘One Crew pledge’ scroll.  

Explaining the scroll’s significance, an RNLI spokesperson said: “On the scroll is the RNLI’s One Crew pledge, in which we promise to continue saving every one we can for the next 200 years and counting.

“Lifesavers from across the UK and Ireland, and our patron, president, and chief executive, will sign the scroll to recognise all we have achieved so far as we mark our special anniversary year. 

“Printed on bamboo paper, the scroll will travel through RNLI communities far and wide during 2024. By passing this pledge from one incredible community to the next, we hope to inspire the next generation of lifesavers.”  

The event opens at 11am in Summerleaze Car Park, with the signing taking place at 11.30am.