Crowds flock to Hoylake lifeboat open day

Aug 27 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

life boat crowds

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THOUSANDS of spectators enjoyed a stunning display by the Red Arrows at this year’s Hoylake Lifeboat Station open day.

The annual event is organised with the help of Wirral Council to help raise funds for the lifeboat station - and has raised £20,000 so far.

Monday’s event was the last open day to be run from the ageing boathouse, which is too small to house modern all-weather RNLI craft.

Organisers say around 30,000 people visited Hoylake for attractions including a funfair, charity stalls, street theatre, raffles, classic cars and lifeboat tours.

Lifeboat station manager John Curry said: “At one stage, it looked like we were going to get as many as last year when 40,000 came down, but that was when Mathew Street got cancelled. Even so, the turn-out was brilliant.

“I’m glad to say that next year we will be in a new centre. The most important thing this will help us do is launch our boats more quickly.”

The new lifeboat centre will be opened in November.

Donations can be sent to RNLI Hoylake Appeal, Admail 4049, Hoylake, CH47 1AA