Exeter-based artist Nick Langdon has donated the work to the RNLI depicting the Atlantic 85 inshore lifeboat, Spirit of Loch Fyne, near to the familiar setting of the Cobb wall against the setting sun.
The volunteer lifeboat crew were gifted the piece, titled Around the Cobb at Lyme Regis, at a civic reception hosted by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, Cllr Philip Evans, and members of the town council.
The ceremony took place on Saturday, May 2, after the lifeboat parade which saw volunteers walk through town with the iconic rescue boat in celebration of its 200 years of the lifesaving service in town.
READ MORE RNLI lifeboat parades through Lyme Regis for anniversary | Bridport and Lyme Regis News
In presenting his drawing to Lyme Regis lifeboat station, Mr Langdon said: “Whilst holidaying in Scotland near Leith I came across an anonymous fisherman’s prayer which reads: ‘So with the darkest days behind, our ship of hope will steer, and when in doubt just keep in mind, our motto – persevere’.
“This prayer drew to my mind the sterling work of the RNLI. Their ships of hope, their lifeboats which certainly persevere as they operate from 238 lifeboat stations around UK and Ireland. Lifeboat stations are not just places to store and maintain lifesaving craft. They are places to train vital lifesaving skills, and are hubs for local communities to come together with the shared goal of keeping the waters around them safe.”
Accepting the drawing on behalf of Lyme Regis lifeboat station, volunteer Lifeboat Operations Manager, Mark Colley, said: “We are very grateful to Nick Langdon for his donation of this lovely drawing of our boat alongside the Cobb. It certainly evokes the spirit of Lyme Regis and our lifeboat’s place in it.
“We intend to hang the drawing in a prominent position in the lifeboat station with a plaque recognising the donation in commemoration of our 200-year history.”
Prints of Nick Langdon’s drawings are on sale via the RNLI website with all proceeds going to the lifesaving charity.
