New Hoylake lifeboat station set in stone

Apr 30 2008 by Sue McCann, Neston News

A FOUNDATION stone for the replacement of one of the UK’s oldest lifeboat stations has been formally laid.

Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead, was joined by guests of the RNLI at the ceremony held on the promenade in Hoylake.

Work on the lifeboat station started last year and should be completed by the autumn. The building will replace the ageing boathouse which has proved too small to house the next generation of RNLI lifeboat.

Hoylake RNLI coxswain, Dave Whiteley, said: “You can already see what an impressive building it will be and all the volunteer lifeboat crew and supporters are really looking forward to its completion. We are all working very hard to reach our fundraising target and local people have already been very supportive.”

So far, the appeal has raised £575,000.

But Mr Whiteley added: “We need even more companies, schools, organisations and individuals to come forward and help us raise the funds in any way possible if we are to achieve our £2m target and provide Hoylake’s dedicated volunteer lifeboat crew with the facilities they deserve.”

The current boathouse, which dates back to 1899, is small and cramped, without proper crew training or changing facilities, and the lifeboat and launching tractor have to be housed in separate buildings.

The new boathouse will enable them to be housed together, ready for immediate launch. It will also include training facilities, a mechanics workshop, crew room, and changing room.

l For more information call 0845 650 3999, log on to rnli.org.uk/hoylakeappeal or send a donation to RNLI Hoylake Appeal, Admail 4049, Hoylake CH47 1AA.