Bude's lifeboat operations manager is set to retire after nearly 50 years of service to the RNLI.

Chris Cloke steps down from the helm and marks his retirement this autumn.

Chris is born and bred Bude and has lived in the town all of his life.

After leaving grammar school he became an apprentice electrician with South Western Electricity Board gaining promotion to an installation inspector before transferring to the General Post Office working as a technical officer until he took voluntary retirement.

Whilst growing up in the town, summers were spent at the beach or at the lock gates at the old hobble hut where the local fishermen used to congregate, Chris would often go out to sea with them and also his brother who had an old ship's lifeboat.

Chris recounts the times when visitors flocked to Bude during the summer, when factories would close down and just two lifeguards were employed. Among their duties they hired out changing tents, surf boards, deck chairs, windbreaks and of course they also rescued those in danger.

Chris volunteered for the RNLI and also joined the Bude Coastguard, for which he gained a 25-year service medal.

During this time meetings were held and a new lifeboat station was built at Bude. Chris became a crew member at Bude for several years until he joined the branch committee.

After several years he became branch chair for about 10 years and in 1999 he was appointed as honorary secretary for Bude Lifeboat Station, a position later was renamed as lifeboat operations manager (LOM).

Chris said of the entirely voluntary role: "The lifeboat operations manager's role has to be taken very seriously particularly in a seaside surf environment like we have here at Bude. Ultimately you are responsible to ensure conditions are suitable for the lifeboat to be launched when requested usually by pager from HM Coastguards Falmouth.

"You are the leader of a team of well trained, enthusiastic volunteers with a very professional approach to sea safety.

"The camaraderie that self generates within the station is amazing and the crew almost becomes part of your family and you do share in their ups and downs in life."

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week's edition of the Post.