A special programme will mark the RNLI's 200th birthday and features the Scarborough Lifeboat.
Celebrations marking the 200 years anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution are taking place this weekend ahead of the organisations birthday tomorrow, and are reflected in this weeks episode of Songs of Praise on BBC1 at 1:15pm today.
Presenter, Rev Canon Kate Bottley takes to the high seas on board the Scarborough Lifeboat in a training exercise and hears from the chaplain about the role faith plays in supporting the crew.
Rudi Barman is a lifeboatman, based at Scarborough RNLI, and felt that the day went well.
As part of the programme, Rev Canon Kate will explore the importance of faith to Grace Darling, a young Christian whose involvement in a courageous sea rescue in 1838 launched her to national fame and made her an icon of the RNLI.
Music and Hymns, beloved by Seafarers feature on the episode, as recorded at St Mary's Church in Scarborough. The music recorded at St Mary's include:-
- Eternal Father Strong to Save
- Across The Lands
- I, the Lord of Sea and Sky
The RNLI has been saving lives at sea since it was founded in 1824 and, in that time, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 144,000 lives.
Funded by voluntary donations, and with lifeboats crewed by specially-trained volunteers, the RNLI is a truly unique rescue organisation. From triumphs to tragedies; from oar-powered vessels to the boats packed with cutting-edge technology used today; from introducing the first lifeboats on the River Thames to rolling-out a UK beach lifeguard service; from running the UK’s biggest ever drowning prevention campaigns to working with others to save lives overseas – the RNLI has a remarkable 200-year story to tell.
Throughout its bicentenary year, the charity will be running events and activities to remember its important history and celebrate the modern lifesaving service it is today, while hoping to inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters.
Exhibitions, outdoor events, special services of thanksgiving, partnerships and education programmes are just some of the activities which will be taking place across the UK and Ireland. There will also be a special 200th anniversary retail range available through the RNLI’s shops and online


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