At a formal meeting of Port Isaac RNLI committee, chairman Bob Bulgin advised those present of his decision to stand down from the position of chairman; a voluntary appointment he has fulfilled over the past 15 years following five years as deputy chairman.

Bob has worked tirelessly over those years to fundraise for the RNLI and to secure sponsorship from a number of local businesses.

Bob also organises the printing of Port Isaac RNLI Christmas cards and the annual prize draw for an original painting by a local artist, and a wide range of historic Port Isaac lifeboat images which raises thousands of pounds each year. Bob was also instrumental in organising the first Port Isaac RNLI charity ball which led on to other balls raising a huge amount.

Additional to these special events Bob and his Port Isaac RNLI team organised a series of fund raising sporting clay shoots over a period of five years in conjunction with the local Colquite Estate attracting teams throughout the county and raising further substantial funds. Bob was also joint editor with well known RNLI historian Nicholas Leach in the creation and publication of a 112 page fully illustrated book charting the history of Port Isaac RNLI from its foundation in 1869 from which more than £6,000 has been raised.

In 2013 Bob’s dedication and hard work was recognised formally when he was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the New Year’s Honours List.

By 2013 Bob had raised £180,000 for Port Isaac RNLI, a figure which now totals more than £540,000. The BEM nomination said: “Through his enthusiasm, determination and hard work, he and his dedicated team have arranged numerous balls, auctions, lotteries and tea parties to keep the charity at the forefront of peoples’ minds.”

It went on to say: “He also gives his time freely to encourage young people to become involved with the RNLI. He provides enduring and vitally important pastoral care for the crew. He genuinely cares about people and has an authentic and long held passion for the lifeboat and its place in the community.”

These outstanding fundraising efforts were again highlighted during the station’s new lifeboat appeal. More than £80,000 has been raised to secure the station a new D-Class Lifeboat, which came on service in October 2019. The campaign ran for 18 months with the target of £52,000 being raised within the first six months of the appeal. All remaining monies will help fund the further development of associated facilities.

The RNLI recognise the huge contribution which Bob has made to the charity and have recognised that dedication through appointing him president of Port Isaac Lifeboat Station. In a letter to Bob, Mark Dowie chief executive of the RNLI said: “I would like to thank you for continuing to give your skills, your time and your commitment to the RNLI and to the vital work of saving lives at sea.”

In reply Bob stated that he was ‘indeed honoured to be considered for such a position following on from the station’s past highly respected president, David Castle, and pledged to continue his efforts in representing the best interests of both crew and committee of Port Isaac RNLI.’

Bob has made a formal proposal to hand over the responsibility of chair for Port Isaac to Megan Rees who has unanimous support of the committee, crew, executive officers and those associated with Port Isaac RNLI. On making this proposal Bob stated that he was very confident that Megan will prove to be an excellent choice in order to ensure the consolidation and future continuity of support and communication with committee and crew and looks forward to a close, ongoing, working relationship leading up to Megan’s formal appointment at the forthcoming Port Isaac RNLI annual meeting on April 2.