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Service commemorates legacy of RNLI founder

BBC A yellow wellington boot with RNLI written on it holding colourful flowers.BBC
Members of the public have been invited to attend the service from 15:00 GMT

The lifesaving efforts of the RNLI's founder are set to be celebrated at a special service in the Isle of Man's capital.

Sir William Hillary was living in Douglas when he petitioned for the creation a national lifesaving service in 1824 after witnessing several shipwrecks off the Manx coast.

The public service takes place at 15:00 GMT at St George's Church and is followed by the laying of a wreath at Sir William's tomb in the churchyard.

The annual event, which is held in January to mark the anniversary of his birth and death, follows a year of special events to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the organisation.

RNLI DOUGLAS Douglas lifeboat, which is painted in the RNLI's colours of bright orange, blue, red and yellow, in Douglas Bay with Douglas in the background.RNLI DOUGLAS
Douglas Lifeboat was the founding station on the island

Volunteer, Emily Heaton, who became Douglas lifeboat station's first female coxswain on an all-weather lifeboat in 2003, said for the people of the city it was "nice to mark the fact that the RNLI has come from here".

She said: "Whilst it's important to look forward and to plan for a future as well, it's always important never to lose sight of where we came from and the fact that one man made such a big difference."

The congregation gathered for the 2024 service from above. There are pillars on either side of the church and large stained glass windows above the alter.
The service takes place in in the Douglas church each year

The service will be led by Archdeacon Ven Irene Cowell, with the sermon given by the island's bishop Rt Rev Trisha Hillas.

Members of all five of the island's lifeboat stations will be in attendance, with readings given by members of the Douglas crew and Lieutenant Governor Sir John Lorimer.

The service, which will feature nautical hymns and prayers for seafarers along with reflections on the work that Sir William did, will also be attended by the RNLI's head of region for Wales and the Isle of Man, Jo Partner.

An emblem on the side of Sr William Hillary's white painted tomb featuring a crown on top if a blue circle with an anchor in the middle of it and the word Royal National Lifeboat Institution written around it. There is also a board featuring a picture of Sir William and information about him.
Sir William Hillary was buried in the churchyard at St George's Church

Ms Heaton said that although last year's service at St George's had been the first of a series to mark 200 years of the organisation - culminating in a service at Westminster Abbey - the Douglas service itself was particularly special.

"We go out into the churchyard and lay a wreath at his tomb as a final act of remembrance, you can't replicate that elsewhere," she added.

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