ANOTHER fantastic Lifeboat Weekend was topped off by Lifeboat Day — one of the busiest events in Bude’s calendar — on Bank Holiday Monday.

All the station’s crew, volunteers and fundraisers join together to put on this event, the major fundraising event of the year for the Lifeboat.

There was something for everyone. A sure highlight was the slightly delayed helicopter winching exercise with Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter 924 off Summerleaze, with three crew of Bude’s Inshore Lifeboat (ILB).

Although that exercise was for show, the crew was in action for real on Saturday.

With a number of crew already at the Lifeboat Weekend marquee on the castle green it was a quick response and launch for the Bude ILB (D-756) to three people who had been cut off by the tide while walking from Millook Beach to Crackington Haven.

The group had set out on a long walk to enjoy the good weather. Unfortunately when nearing Crackington, the group realised that they had misjudged the tide and had become cut off. Although well equipped and prepared, unfortunately the area at the bottom of the cliffs had no mobile signal. Luckily a fourth member of the group was able to climb up the cliff and alerted the lifeguards on the beach.

Bude Coastguard Rescue Team had been alerted at 2.12pm, and an RNLI lifeguard from Crackington Haven had made their way to the casualties’ position on a rescue board. With the Coastguard teams arriving on scene, it was decided that, although a rope rescue was indeed possible, as the casualties were apparently in no immediate danger, the Bude Coastguard Officer-in-Charge requested the Bude Lifeboat as he deemed this would be the safest form of extrication for all concerned.

As the Lifeboat crew was tasked and assembling, Bude and Boscastle CRTs nonetheless prepared themselves for a rope rescue, should the boat not be able to retrieve the casualties from the rocks.

However, after arriving on scene and scanning for the safest extrication point, the boat manoeuvered into position, and all three casualties were recovered from the rocks and into the Lifeboat.

Once safely aboard, the Lifeboat returned the casualties to Crackington Haven beach, and to their friend who had raised the alarm in the first place.

With the casualties safe and in no need of medical assistance, all teams were duly stood down.

The Bude ILB returned to station, was washed down, re-fuelled and ready for service again at 4.25pm.

Meanwhile, back on land, the fun atmosphere of the fundraising weekend continued, with, on the Saturday, charity table top sales, a quiz and music from Bude Metric Brass and Friggin Riggin. The Bencoolen Wreckers singers entertained on Sunday ahead of the children’s disco, then the Sunday evening concert with Wadebridge Male Voice Choir and the Coastal Belles.

There was also entertainment all weekend with Bacon Family Amusements and Candy Bar, and Lifeboat Day on Monday saw all sorts of events, including the search and rescue demonstration at Summerleaze, a children’s treasure hunt on the beach, music from Bideford Youth Pipe Band, dancing from Jason Thomas and CJ’s Dance schools and URBN StreetZ in the marquee, rowing races, canoe polo and ‘canal capers’ on the canal, a pasty competition at the Brendon Arms and The Rotary International Duck Race at the Strand.

The successful fundraising weekend was topped off with the grand firework display by Kernow Fireworks on Monday night.

A craft fair in support of the RNLI continues in the marquee until Saturday, September 1.

On Sunday, September 2, there will be Songs of Praise in the marquee with Bude Town Band from 3pm to 4pm.