40 years ago – remembering the Penlee Lifeboat Disaster

We’re marking the 40-year anniversary of The Penlee Lifeboat Disaster this Sunday by suspending our usual programmes at 8pm – the same time as the annual switch-off of Mousehole’s Christmas lights. 

Instead, an hour of reflection will include a moving archive clip from the former Chaplain for the Penlee Lifeboat, the Late Reverend Julyan Drew. Names of the local crew that lost their lives will be read out and ambient sounds recorded in Mousehole harbour will be broadcast. 

Also on Sunday:
• Paul Church will be open from 12pm to 6pm for visits to the memorial there
• The Solomon Browne Memorial Hall will be open 11am-6pm for an exhibition
• Visitors are encouraged to take a glass jar and candle to place around the harbour in memory of those lost (to be lit and supervised by Green Watch from Penzance Fire Station from 6pm)

Finally, the online Book of Remembrance is open for everyone to sign. In January, it will be printed and put on display at the Penlee RNLI Visitor Centre at the station in Newlyn Harbour. Visit www.rnli.org/penlee40book

Photo courtesy of RNLI